News and advice
Major Junior Swimming Events and Qualifying times (Victoria, Australia) – Sept 2025 – Apr 2026
As the 2025–26 swimming season approaches, Victorian families are preparing for a busy schedule of meets. The table below summarises major state and national junior events from late 2025 through early 2026. Each listing includes dates, locations and links to competition booklets, event listings, qualifying‑times documents and registration pages so swimmers and parents can plan ahead. November 2025 Victorian Qualifying Competition (22–23 Nov 2025) Location: Melbourne Sports Centres (MSAC) Outdoor Pool, Albert Park. Purpose: A long‑course meet designed to give swimmers race practice and the chance to achieve state qualifying times. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Documents: Competition information booklet, Event listing and Qualifying times. Registration: Enter via Swim Central. No closing date is specified on the event page. Mattioli Victorian Sprint Championships (29–30 Nov 2025) Location: MSAC Outdoor Pool, Albert Park. Format: A fast‑paced sprint meet over two days - all events are 50m. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Documents: Competition information booklet, Event listing and Qualifying times. Registration: Enter via Swim Central. A closing date has not yet been announced. December 2025 Mattioli Victorian Age Long Course Championships (10–15 Dec 2025) Location: MSAC Outdoor Pool, Albert Park. Overview: State age championships across five and a half days. Revised schedule includes all three 50m form strokes and a dedicated relay session. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Documents: Competition information booklet, Event listing, Qualifying times and MC qualifying times. Registration: The event page does not list a direct entry link; swimmers should consult the competition booklet or contact Swimming Victoria for entry instructions. January 2026 Mattioli Victorian Country Long Course Championships (16–18 Jan 2026) Location: Kardinia Aquatic Centre, Geelong. Overview: Long‑course championships for swimmers from country clubs. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page Documents: Event listing, Qualifying times, Registration: Details are not yet available; please check the event page or contact your club closer to the date. Mattioli Victorian Metropolitan Long Course Championships (23–25 Jan 2026) Location: MSAC Outdoor Pool, Albert Park. Overview: Metropolitan long‑course championships across three days. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Documents: Competition information booklet, Event listing, Qualifying times, Registration: Entry details will be published closer to the event. February 2026 Mattioli Victorian Open Long Course Championships (13–15 Feb 2026) Location: MSAC Outdoor Pool, Albert Park. Overview: State open championships run over three days. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Documents: Competition information booklet, event listing and qualifying times (including MC times) are yet to be published; the event page notes that details will follow. Registration: Enter via Swim Central. No closing date is currently advertised. March 2026 Victorian Last Chance National Qualifying Competition (15 Mar 2026) Location: MSAC, Melbourne (warm‑up 4 pm; competition starts 5 pm). Overview: One‑day meet giving swimmers near a national qualifying standard a final opportunity to achieve it. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Documents: Competition information, event listing and qualifying times are still to be released; the event page cautions that no late entries will be accepted. Registration: Enter via Swim Central. The closing date has not been announced. Victorian Country All Junior Competition (21–22 Mar 2026) Location: MSAC Outdoor Pool, Albert Park. Overview: All‑junior competition for country clubs with heats and finals sessions. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Qualification: Swimmers qualify through district championships; top five medalists from the age championships in each stroke are excluded. Registration: Entry is coordinated by districts rather than a central link; contact your club or district for details. Victorian Metro All Junior Competition (28–29 Mar 2026) Location: MSAC Indoor Pool, Albert Park. Overview: Metropolitan version of the all‑junior competition with heats and finals sessions. Official page: Swimming Victoria event page. Entry fee: $20 per athlete, paid by the district. Qualification: Swimmers qualify through district results; top five medalists from the age championships cannot swim the same stroke. Registration: Entries are submitted through district contacts rather than a central link. April 2026 Australian Multi‑Class Age Championships (4–6 Apr 2026) Location: Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Southport, Queensland. Overview: National championships for eligible multi‑class swimmers. Official page: Swimming Australia event page. Documents: Qualifying times (MC Age) and Program of events. Registration: Entry via Swim Central. Entries close at noon on 20 March 2026. Australian Age Championships (11–18 Apr 2026) Location: Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Southport, Queensland. Overview: National championships for 13–18‑year‑olds. Official page: Swimming Australia event page. Documents: Qualifying times and Program of events. Registration: Entry via Swim Central. Entries close at noon on 23 March 2026. Families should regularly check the Swimming Victoria and Swimming Australia websites for updates. Competition booklets, qualifying‑time tables and entry links are usually posted a few months before each meet. Be sure to note entry closing dates for national meets, and consult your club or district for all‑junior competitions. Best of luck to all swimmers in the 2025–26 season!
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