Regional Western Australia to welcome stars of the pool

Australian swimming and water polo stars will share their expertise with thousands of children in regional Western Australia as part the second annual BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series.

The series brings some of the nation's best swimmers and water polo players to Perth for one of the world's richest swimming meets and an elite water polo competition.

Leading swimmers and water polo players will also conduct clinics in regional areas under the series' Regional Community Program, which begins on 23rd September and runs to May next year.

Western Australian Tourism Minister Liza Harvey said the community program aimed to inspire thousands of children in regional WA, with swimming and water polo clinics in the Goldfields, Kimberley, Pilbara, South-West, Great Southern and Mid-West regions.

Minister Harvey explained "the program enables some of Australia's best stars of the pool, such as Leisel Jones, Libby Trickett, Matt Welsh, Eamon Sullivan and Danielle Woodhouse, to share their skills and knowledge with young people.

"The aquatic super series, held in Perth, is a unique series of events featuring one of the world's richest swimming meets, an elite water polo competition, along with elite and mass participation open-water swimming races.

"Last year's inaugural event saw some of Australia's top swimmers and water polo players take on some of the world's best, including the reigning Olympic men's water polo champions Croatia and the formidable Chinese and South African swim teams."

Western Australian Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the State Government was proud to support the regional component of the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series through Eventscorp's Regional Events Program, which was funded by Royalties for Regions.

In total, $2.1million has been allocated to the Regional Events Program over three years from 2012.

Minister Grylls added "events across Western Australia deliver many social and economic benefits to regional communities and ensure the sustainable development of our regions for future generations.

"Last year's community program was a tremendous success, and it is fantastic to see that once again it is supported by some of Australia's most renowned swimmers and water polo players.

"The regional clinics also provide a fantastic opportunity to promote water-based sports and a healthy lifestyle across the State."

The series will be delivered by Swimming Australia in partnership with Swimming WA and WA Water Polo, and the Department of Sport and Recreation.

For more information go to

http://www.aquaticsuperseries.com.au