Swimming Australia has launched its first major project under the SwimAus Foundation, the Pool for Purpose initiative.

The Pool for Purpose initiative raises funds for community projects across Australia to help build a legacy and connect communities through swimming.

With a goal of raising $2.5M, a dollar for every litre of water in an Olympic size swimming pool, the funds will go towards projects such as First Nations Participation programs via Deadly Little Dolphins, Para Participation programs, coaching education for regional and remote communities and assisting with funding the gap for school swimming programs.

Donations are processed through the Foundation’s partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation and are tax deductible.

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse said the launch of the Foundation and Pool for Purpose initiative was critical to ensure the sport continues a strong trajectory of growth across Australia.

“Our Dolphins continue to deliver on the biggest stage, but for our sport to be a powerhouse for the long term we need to ensure our connection to community is strong.

“We are committed to building a legacy for our sport that will see every Australian who swims be celebrated as a champion, whether they are learning to swim as a child or adult, still swimming laps well into their senior years, enjoying swimming in the ocean, or aspiring to be a Dolphin.

“Our swimming ecosystem has the ability to connect communities by bringing people together and we need to ensure all of the support networks around these communities, including coaches, facilities and programs are in place.

“We look forward to filling the pool with hope for these current and future generations of swimmers and encourage all Australians to join us by donating.”

Projects that the funding will support include:

• First Nations programs via Deadly Little Dolphins
• Para participation orograms
• Sustainability projects at events and the goal of Swim Zero - a net zero footprint for the sport
• Technology innovations that support swimmer experiences
• Coach Development for regional and remote communities
• Swimmer support grants via scholarships
• Funding the gap for school swimming

Swimming remains the biggest participation sport in the country with 1 in 5 Australians enjoying their time in the water.