A Stellar Four-Year Partnership for Swimming NZ & Apollo Projects

Celebration of the Partnership with Apollo Projects

We are grateful to Apollo Projects for their support over the past four years. Since becoming our Principal Partner in mid-2021, we have shared many successes during this time. From new aquatic facilities to enhancing the delivery of national swimming competitions and enabling new initiatives to provide positive swimming experiences to the community, Apollo Projects have made a significant impact on swimming across the country. 

Over the past four years, Apollo Projects have successfully completed four new aquatic facilities that have each benefitted the swimming community at large, both within the local community and some that serve as major competition venues. 

The construction of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre is just one of the lasting legacies that Apollo Projects have provided the sport. Since the facility was opened in August 2022, the region has hosted national championships each year and has recently been announced to host the 2026 NZ Age Group Swimming Championships for the fourth consecutive year. It’s been a massive success for the region, highlighted by the 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships taking place in April last year. The region welcomed the best swimmers from around the country as swimmers sought qualification for Paris, with a week full of impressive swims that will be remembered for years to come. 

The new facility hasn’t only attracted national championships however, it’s been integral to the growth of the sport in Hawke’s Bay. Local swimming clubs such as Heretaunga Sundevils, Trojans and Central Hawke’s Bay have been able to train in a quality 50m pool, and it’s contributed to the surge in members at local clubs.  

The same can be said in another three new aquatic centres that Apollo Projects have finished constructing in recent years. The complexes that include 50m pools, Kiwa Pools in Gisborne and Te Ngaengae Pool + Fitness in Hutt Valley, have been designed with the local community needs at the forefront of planning. Wai O Rua (Stratford Aquatic Centre) has also been completed with a 25m pool that serves the local community now and into the future. All facilities cater for local swimming clubs, local competitions and all user groups, which will continue to serve the community for years to come. 

Apollo Projects Co-Founder and Executive Director, Paul Lloyd, has been thrilled to be partnered with and support a sport close to his heart. 

“Swimming has been a large part of our families lives for over 20 years, so for Apollo Projects to be able to contribute to the sport in the way we have, is truly humbling.”

Swimming NZ’s Chief Executive, Steve Johns, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Paul and the team at Apollo Projects for their support over the past four years. 

“The support that we have received from Paul and the Apollo team over the past four years has been invaluable and enabled us to progress many new initiatives that simply wouldn’t have been possible without their support. On behalf of the entire swimming community, I thank Paul and the entire Apollo team for their support over the past four years and wish them all the very best for the future – thank you, Apollo Projects!” 

Apollo Projects impact on the sport extends past their construction of aquatic facilities for communities. The support from Apollo Projects has elevated the delivery of national competitions throughout the past four years. As the naming right partner to our competitions, we have raised the bar to provide our members quality experiences when they come racing. From the quality livestream offered for national championships, to the communications and social media engagement shared prior and during the competitions, to the increased media coverage recognising outstanding performances and everything involved with the delivery of the racing, the partnership with Apollo Projects has enabled Swimming NZ to deliver for our members. 

Swimming NZ’s Head of Participation, Competitions & Engagement, Dale Johnson, acknowledged the impact that the partnership has had on developing initiatives and elevating competitions. 

“Thanks to the support of Apollo Projects over the past four years, we are thrilled to have elevated the delivery of our competitions to a high standard. In addition, we are immensely proud to have created community initiatives such as Dive Start Clinics where young swimmers had loved the opportunity to meet and learn from our Aquablacks. The legacy of this partnership will live on for years to come, and we are incredibly grateful for the support they have given the sport and the opportunities they have enabled us to develop.” 

The partnership between Apollo Projects and Swimming NZ has made a long-lasting positive impact for swimming across the country. As the sponsorship comes to an end in July, we’d like to thank Apollo Projects for their support of the sport over the past four years.