Swimming Australia announces closure of National Training Centre Transition Program

Swimming Australia has announced that the National Training Centre (NTC) Transition Program in Canberra is to close at the end of the year.

The decision to close the program at the end of the year follows a recent analysis of all High Performances Centres in Australia.

Swimming Australia’s Chief Strategist High Performance Alex Baumann said the decision to cease the residential training program was a difficult decision to make but was performance focused.  

Baumann advised “with two years to go to Tokyo it was important we evaluated all eleven of our High Performance Centres to ensure that the support we provide is meeting our performances objectives.

“We are very fortunate to be in a position, through the support of Sport Australia, Principal Partners Hancock Prospecting and Optus, and our other partners, that we can provide world-class facilities and support in programs all over Australia.

“This means that athletes, including developing athletes, now have more choice than ever regarding the location of their training programs and there is no need for a centralised residential program.

“We will continue to work closely with the AIS in Canberra, both through the continuation of our High Performance Para Program and accessing facilities to support high performance camps and the National Relay Project Testing."

Baumann paid tribute to NTC Transition Program Head Coach Tracey Menzies for her contribution to the program, adding “Tracey is a highly valued platinum level coach who has coached Olympic Champions and still has a lot to offer the sport.

“As her current role will no longer be required from the New Year, we will work with Tracey over the coming weeks to explore further opportunities for her to remain connected to swimming."