Swimming Australia Announces BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series Starting 2013

PERTH, Australia, August 31. THE Western Australian State Government, through Eventscorp, in partnership with Swimming Australia, Australian Water Polo Incorporated and founding sponsor BHP Billiton has today announced that Perth will become home of the new BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series from January 2013.

In an Australian first, the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series will combine a unique festival of elite and mass participation aquatic sport, headlined by the Australian Swim Team taking on the might of Chinese and South African swim teams.

A world-class program of pool events will be held at Challenge Stadium in Perth, complemented by two international water polo matches and a series of elite and mass participation open-water races, delivering Perth and Western Australia with a unique and iconic international aquatic event.

The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series will be first held in January 2013 and then again in 2014 and 2015.

WA Tourism Minister, Dr Kim Hames, congratulated BHP Billiton, Swimming Australia, Eventscorp, Swimming Western Australia and the state and national water polo bodies for their collaborative efforts to create the event.

"It is very heartening to see BHP Billiton, with its strong ties to Western Australia, giving back to the community in such a way," he said.

"The State Government, through Eventscorp, is proud to be partnering with BHP Billiton as joint major sponsors of this unique event."

"Our goal is to have the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series develop and expand into an iconic hallmark event on the annual international swimming and water polo calendar, and to have it permanently anchored in Perth."

The series will also see past and present athletes embark on a regional program that will engage communities throughout regional and metropolitan Western Australia with the event and its sports.

"We're proud to bring such an elite and exciting event to life in our great state. The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series will give all West Australians the chance to become involved and participate in a premier international aquatics event within their own community," said President of BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Ian Ashby.

The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series Regional Community Engagement Program has also been funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.

The WA Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls, said it was great to see an international event like the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series reaching out into the regions.

"We see the Regional Community Engagement Program as a fantastic opportunity to engage people beyond the metropolitan area in the event, while at the same time promoting those sports and a healthy lifestyle."

Swimming Australia CEO Kevin Neil said today's announcement is a huge boost for the sport and will provide a regular opportunity for the Australian Swim Team to compete at home.

"This is a fantastic announcement for our sport and a great opportunity for the Australian Swim Team to compete against the best in the world, right here in Western Australia," said Neil.

"To be able to compete against the likes of China and South Africa on a regular basis, and in Perth, will help develop the sport in Western Australia and also provide vital international experience for our athletes and coaches in the lead up to Rio 2016."
"Swimming Australia, along with Swimming Western Australia, is also very proud to be partnering with BHP Billiton and the Western Australian Government, through Eventscorp, on this exciting event."

The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series will also be the only time that the Australian Water Polo and swim teams get to compete on the same stage, other than at the World Championships or Olympic Games.

Australian Water Polo Chief Executive Officer Chris Harrison said the joint venture made sense for the stakeholders as well as the people of Western Australia.

"This concept and partnership is one that Australian Water Polo is very pleased to be a part of and we, along with Western Australian Water Polo, are looking forward to helping grow the event into the premier multi-sport aquatic event in the country," Mr Harrison said.

"Our national teams, the Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers, often have to travel to the northern hemisphere for this sort of elite international competition so to be able to face off against top class opposition in Perth, which has long been a water polo stronghold in this country, is a wonderful opportunity.

"Australian Water Polo is currently negotiating with the national federations of a number of countries to bring the best opposition possible to Western Australia."

The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series will be staged from the 14 to 21 January 2013. Further program details will be announced closer to the dates.

Video Announcement

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use