Updates to Membership Categories
As part of the new financial year (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026), Swimming NZ has updated its membership categories at the national level. These changes have flowed through to regional and club levels.
Brief Overview
Key updates include:
- The “Club Swimmer” category has been replaced by “Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under”.
This is based on the swimmer’s age as at 1 July 2025.
- The “Competitive Swimmer” category has been renamed to “Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over”.
This is also based on the swimmer’s age as at 1 July 2025.
Further updates to simplify non-swimmer membership categories are in progress and will be communicated in the coming months.
Membership Categories Overview
To help clarify the current categories, here’s a breakdown of each:
Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
Definition:
A swimmer aged 12 or under who swims for a club and may compete at any level.
Eligible to race at:
- International Competitions (if applicable due to age)
- National Championships (if applicable due to age)
- Regional Championships
- Inter Club Competitions
- Club Competitions
- Time Trials
- School Competitions
Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
Definition:
A swimmer aged 13 or over who swims for a club and may compete at any level.
Eligible to race at:
- International Competitions
- National Championships
- Regional Championships
- Inter Club Competitions
- Club Competitions
- Time Trials
- School Competitions
Recreational Swimmer
Definition:
A swimmer who swims for health, wellbeing, fitness, or lifestyle.
Eligible to race at:
Learn to Swim Swimmer
Definition:
A swimmer currently learning to swim.
Eligible to race at:
School Swimmer
Definition:
A student who wishes to represent their school at competitions.
Eligible to race at:
Meet Types Overview
Below is a summary of each meet type, including its definition, eligible swimmers, and approval status:
International Competition
Definition:
A competition held outside of New Zealand where a New Zealand federated swimmer competes.
Member types eligible to race:
- Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
- Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
Approval Status:
- Host discretion – either Officiated or Development
National Championship
Definition:
A pinnacle competition held within New Zealand where swimmers compete for national titles.
Member types eligible to race:
- Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
- Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
Approval Status:
Regional Championship
Definition:
A major competition held within a New Zealand region where swimmers compete for regional titles.
Member types eligible to race:
- Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
- Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
Approval Status:
Inter-Club Competition
Definition:
A competition where swimmers from multiple clubs come together to race.
Member types eligible to race:
- Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
- Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
Approval Status:
- Host discretion – either Officiated or Development
Club Competition
Definition:
A competition where only swimmers from the host club may race, often used for trial or internal events.
Member types eligible to race:
- Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
- Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
- Recreational Swimmer
- Learn to Swim Swimmer
- School Swimmer
Approval Status:
- Host discretion – either Officiated or Development
(Format is usually more tailored for Development meet status)
Note:
Clubs are encouraged to welcome potential new members to participate as part of a
“Have A Go” experience.
Time Trial
Definition:
A format where swimmers compete individually to achieve a time result.
Member types eligible to race:
- Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
- Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
Approval Status:
- Host discretion – either Officiated or Development
School Competition
Definition:
A competition organised for students to represent and compete for their school.
Member types eligible to race:
- Competitive Swimmer – 12 Years & Under
- Competitive Swimmer – 13 Years & Over
- School Swimmer
Approval Status:
- Host discretion – either Officiated or Development
