Swimming Australia is thrilled to announce that Bio Island will support our country’s next wave of swimmers, after signing on as the official naming rights partner of the Australian Junior Excellence (JX) Program until the end of 2022.
As our sport’s current Nutrition Partner, Bio Island’s commitment to expand and significantly increase its investment will enable Swimming Australia to recognise performances, encourage and inspire the next generation of competitive swimmers.
Delivered in conjunction with all states and territories, junior swimmers will now have access to a host of elite role models, including the program’s national ambassadors – Dolphins Shayna Jack and Jack McLoughlin – and receive consistent merchandise and congratulatory messages of their achievements via Swim Central.
Fittingly launching on the eve of the 2019 Hancock Prospecting Australian Age Championship in Adelaide, junior swimmers will strive to achieve gold, silver, bronze or blue standard times when they compete throughout the year, while swimming clinics will be delivered in every state and territory to help develop their skills.
Swimming Australia CEO Leigh Russell said she was excited by the new direction and fresh look of the program.
“Rewarding, recognising and encouraging junior swimmers as they strive to reach their full potential is at the heart of this program and I’m delighted Bio Island will support us in growing grassroots swimming,” Russell said.
“Bio Island’s philosophy to inspire Australians to live a healthy and active lifestyle aligns with our ideals, so we sincerely value this partnership and hope it will continue to strengthen across the course of the next three years.
“It’s fantastic two of our Dolphins, Shayna Jack and Jack McLoughlin, will be the program’s national ambassadors. They will be wonderful role models, assist in delivering clinics and promote the new-look JX initiative around Australia.
“This united approach to streamline the program will benefit young swimmers across the country, so we’re looking forward to watching children continue to thrive and flourish through the Bio Island Australian Junior Excellence Recognition Program.”
A Commonwealth Games gold medallist, McLoughlin said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a national ambassador for the program.
“As a kid I took part in JX and it was something I was proud of, so to be able to give back to junior swimming and help these young swimmers is something I’m very passionate about,” McLoughlin said.
“If you were able to reach a gold or silver standard time you really felt like you were achieving something special, and you’d wear your cap around the pool like a badge of honour.”
Bio Island Director Amanda Fox said she was delighted this new partnership would play a role in shaping the future of Australian swimming.
“Bio Island is thrilled to be involved in the growth and achievements of the upcoming generation of swimmers through the Bio Island Australian Junior Excellence program,” Fox said.
“During our partnership we are eager to build the community of swimming, along with Swimming Australia, making sure we encourage and inspire swimmers at all levels, their families and the support teams involved.
“With the program including with some of our nation’s youngest competitors, Bio Island’s goal will be supporting each participant’s journey to becoming the best they can be.”
Previously targeted towards swimmers aged between 9-16 years, the program has narrowed its focus and will now make the eligible age range 9-13 years.
The 2019 Hancock Prospecting Australian Age Swimming Championships kick off tomorrow at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre, with hundreds of junior swimmers from across the country to vie for coveted national titles – and a spot on the Australian team travelling to the World Junior Swimming Championships in Hungary in August.
