Maya Zunker | Swimming Journey

MY STORY

Hi, I'm Maya Zunker.

At 16 years old, I was recently selected on my first Australian Junior Swim Team to compete at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Canada this August, but getting there is only part of the challenge.

I am currently in Year 12 at King's Christian College, balancing elite swimming, school leadership, study, recovery, and training while pursuing my dream of competing at the highest level of sport.

Swimming has shaped who I am. It has taught me discipline, resilience, consistency, and how to keep showing up when things don't go to plan.

The journey hasn't been easy. Over the years I've battled significant setbacks including rupturing three ligaments in my ankle while playing representative netball, tearing my hamstring and quad, glandular fever, pneumonia (twice), and other illnesses that forced me out of the pool and ended seasons.

There were times when I watched opportunities pass by from the sidelines. But every setback strengthened my determination to come back better. Those challenges have made representing Australia even more meaningful.

WHY NOW MATTERS

This season is one of the most important of my career.

For the first time, I have been selected to wear the green and gold and compete internationally at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Vancouver, Canada.

At the same time, I am transitioning from age-group competition into open-level racing, where I will compete against some of Australia's best swimmers and future Olympians. The next 12 months will help determine what opportunities lie ahead as I pursue swimming at the highest level possible.

WHAT'S NEXT

2026-27 Competition Schedule

• New Zealand Open Championships – Auckland
• Australian Swimming Trials – Sydney
• Australian School Sport Championships – Melbourne
• Junior Pan Pacific Championships – Vancouver, Canada
• Australian Short Course Championships – Sydney
• Queensland State Championships – Brisbane
• Australian Age Championships – Brisbane
• Australian Open Championships – Brisbane

Each meet provides critical racing experience, ranking opportunities, and development against world-class competition.

THE REAL COST OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORT

While swimming is an incredible opportunity, competing at an elite level comes with significant costs.

My goal is to raise $10,000 to help cover:

• Athlete contribution for Junior Pan Pacs - $1,500
• Domestic flights for upcoming meets – $1,500
• Domestic accommodation for national championships (3 x meets) – $3,500
• Competition entry fees and levies – $1,500
• Recovery, physio, and athlete support services – $1,000
• Racing suits, equipment, and training essentials – $1,000

Together, these costs exceed $10,000 each year. Every dollar raised helps me spend less time worrying about whether I can afford what I need, and more time focusing on training, recovery, and representing Australia to the best of my ability.

ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR

• Australian Junior Team Selection – Junior Pan Pacific Championships
• Australian and Queensland Record Holder
• 20-Time Australian Champion
• 20+ National Medals
• Competed at Australian Olympic, Commonwealth Games, Pan Pacs and World Championship Trials
• 70+ Queensland State Medals
• Selected in the Queensland Academy of Sport Youfor2032 Program
• School Captain, House Captain, and Swimming Captain

While I am proud of these achievements, I believe my best swimming is still ahead of me.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

When you donate, you're doing more than helping fund travel.

--> You're helping a young Australian athlete pursue a dream that has taken years of dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance to reach.

--> You're backing hard work.

--> You're backing resilience.

--> You're backing the next generation of Australian sport.

Whether your contribution is $20, $50, $100, or more, every donation helps create opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to access. Together, we can make this next chapter possible.

JOIN MY TEAM

If you'd like to support my journey, I would be incredibly grateful for your contribution. You can also help by sharing this page with your family, friends, workplace, or business network.

For businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities, I'd love to connect: mayazunker@outlook.com

Thank you for believing in me and being part of this journey. See you on pool deck.

Maya Zunker 🇦🇺

@maya.zunker