Swimming Australia and Pho3nix Foundation partner to drive Junior Excellence program

Swimming Australia has partnered with Mana Global and the Pho3nix Foundation to drive the Junior Excellence program, further supporting the pathway for young swimmers and Pho3nix Foundation’s mission to encourage more children to be more active, more often.

Swimming Australia Chief Executive, Eugénie Buckley, believes the collaboration between both organisations will continue to elevate the Junior Excellence program across Australia.

“Our Junior Excellence program has produced some of our best Dolphins over the years and we are excited to partner with the Pho3nix Foundation to assist with the continued growth. The Foundation’s commitment to keeping kids active aligns well with our drive to keep kids swimming.

“As we look towards Brisbane 2032, our JX program is critical in our swimmer’s development and we have no doubt we will see some of them on the podium in nine years time.”

The Pho3nix Junior Excellence Program is Swimming Australia’s development program for children aged 9-13 to refine their skills as they develop into senior swimmers. Conducted through local swimming clubs and dedicated clinics throughout Australia, the program has seen 214,000 participants take part since 2007, with an anticipated 17,000 participants recognised in the 2023 program.

The support from the Pho3nix Foundation will provide meaningful impact and deliver real outcomes for all participants of the program as they progress through various stages, developing the skills and aptitude required to compete at senior level.

As a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring children to participate in sport, Pho3nix Foundation supports pathways from participation to progression into professional sport through its programs around the world. Through this partnership, Swimming Australia joins the Pho3nix movement, and Pho3nix Foundation and Mana Global become active contributors to Australia’s top Olympic and Paralympic sport.

Chris McCormack, Pho3nix Foundation board member and Mana Global Executive Chairman adds “we are proud to partner with Swimming Australia and be recognised as the official Sport for Social Purpose organisation. Swimming is part of the cultural DNA of Australia. Many of our nation’s Olympic champions have come through this system and it instils a love of swimming for life for all participants.

“We are committed to supporting programs which encourage participation in sport among our youth. The Pho3nix Junior Excellence Program participants can become shining examples of the positive impact that sport, particularly swimming, can have on their personal development, health and wellbeing, along with being a key part of the ever-growing global Pho3nix Foundation movement.”