Confirmation of the Dates and Location for the 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships and 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships
Following a recent recommendation from the Events Advisory Committee that we look at altering the delivery format of the 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships and 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships, we sought feedback via survey from coaches and swimmers to enable an informed decision to be made on the recommendation.
Two options were presented for feedback, the first being a combined 6-day meet with the second being to maintain the status quo.
We are extremely grateful for the 52 coaches and 160 swimmers/parents who provided feedback on the two options. Upon review of the feedback, some clear themes and comments became evident:
Most of the feedback from swimmers was not supportive of a combined meet, totalling 61% of responses.
Many swimmers, clubs and families had already booked travel to Hawke’s Bay for the dates announced to reduce their costs.
The proposed removal of B & C finals for open events to accommodate the length of finals sessions was not well supported.
Many comments were received from NAGS swimmers who felt disadvantaged having to pick between open and age events, as the days would be incredibly long across 4 sessions if they raced in both.
While coach feedback was 77% supportive of a combined meet, many comments alongside this option outlined concerns within the meet proposal and indicated they weren’t supportive.
Therefore, it was decided that the two events would continue to be delivered as planned across the two weeks.
It was also agreed that all the feedback received via the survey would be fed into the upcoming Competition Review, which will look at the format and delivery of all national meets with any possible changes being implement from 2025 onwards.
Confirmation of Key Event Details
2024 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships
Location: Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre
Pre-Meet: Monday 8 April
Racing Dates: Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 April
2024 Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships
Location: Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre
Pre-Meet: Sunday 14 April
Racing Dates: Monday 15 – Friday 19 April
Next Steps
We are now moving ahead to have all the event information, event schedules and qualifying times confirmed and published by the end of September. This will also include confirming dates and venue for the 2024 Apollo Projects Division II Swimming Competition. A further announcement will notify you of this information becoming available on the respective event web pages.
Given the great response to the combined meet proposal over the past few weeks, we encourage the community to also respond when provided the opportunity as part of the Competition Review of the 2025 – 2028 calendars, as the next 4-year cycle review will get underway over the next few weeks. The feedback provided over the past few weeks will also be used as part of the Competition Review.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre
We once again acknowledge the environmental issues that occurred during the recent 2023 Apollo Projects NZ Short Course Swimming Championships and can confirm that the facility operator has identified the cause of the issues, which has now been rectified. We are therefore very confident that these issues will not reoccur.
