The camp in Sydney forms part of a long-term commitment to strengthening high-performance pathways for athletes and coaches across Oceania as they prepare for major international events, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the 2027 Pacific Games, and the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Up to 45 athletes and coaches representing 10 National Federations will take part in the programme. Participants will train in a high-performance environment and compete at the NSW Senior State Age Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, gaining valuable exposure to elite racing conditions.

Image Source: The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre recently played host to the the 2025 Australian Waterpolo League Finals (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australian Olympic Committee CEO Mark Arbib said the camp underscores the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for Pacific athletes:

“PacificAus Sports is about creating real pathways for Pacific athletes to compete and succeed on the world stage. Swimming is a cornerstone of Olympic sport, and this development camp will allow our Pacific neighbours to train, compete, and grow in a world-class environment. We’re proud to support Oceania Aquatics in preparing athletes and coaches for the big milestones ahead.”

Image Source: Three-time Olympian and World Aquatics 1st Vice President Matt Dunn shows his gold medal after winning the 400 metres IM at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Sydney (Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT)

Oceania Aquatics President and World Aquatics 1st Vice President Matthew Dunn OLY highlighted the regional impact of this collaborative effort:

“This camp represents a significant step forward for swimming in our region. By bringing together emerging talent from across Oceania, we’re creating an environment where athletes and coaches can learn, compete, and grow together. With the generous support of World Aquatics, Olympic Solidarity, and PacificAus Sports, we’re building a stronger, more connected aquatic community, one that’s ready to take on the challenges of Glasgow 2026, LA 2028, and into Brisbane 2032.

“The combination of a high-performance training environment, competitive racing, and targeted coach development will create lasting benefits and increased capability for every nation involved. I congratulate the athletes selected to represent their countries and look forward to seeing them thrive both in Sydney and in the years ahead.”

Image Source: Lani Pallister embraces her Australian teammates Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O'Callaghan after winning gold in the Women's 4x200m Freestyle Relay Final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam noted that the camp reflects the federation’s strategic focus on development through its Continental Support Programme:

“World Aquatics is proud to support the Oceania Aquatics Competition Development Camp as part of our commitment to athlete development and global growth. This initiative aligns with our 2025 Continental Support Programme, which prioritises athlete-centred projects and fosters collaboration across regions. By investing in high-performance development opportunities for Pacific athletes and coaches, we are helping to build a stronger, more inclusive aquatics community that reflects the values of excellence, unity, and progress.”