2026 ASSA Awards of Excellence
ASSA recognised outstanding SwimSchooler contributions at both regional and national levels, Across 22 categories.
These awards celebrated the achievements of Swim Schools and the incredible people who teach learn to swim and promote water safety in Australia and beyond. 2026 saw ASSA add new awards to the program, increasing the total number of categories to 22.
Held at the QT Gold Coast, 2026 was a night to remember, and included a new ASSA Hall of Fame inductee — Wayne Pollock for Outstanding Contribution.
2026 ASSA
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR —
OVER 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
OVER 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
NATIONAL GOLD
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR — OVER 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
Aquatots Swim School – Forde, ACT
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR — OVER 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
ACT — Aquatots Swim School – Forde
NSW — Aquatics Down Under
NZ — SwimTastic
QLD — The Swim Factory Australia
VIC — Healthways Swim School
WA — Beatty Park Swim School
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR — OVER 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
ACT — Gungahlin Leisure Centre
ACT — Stromlo Leisure Centre
NSW — Carlile Swim – Norwest
NSW — Crabrnook School
QLD — Fish N Flips – Morayfield
QLD — Rackley Swimming Kawana
VIC — Paul Sadler Swimland Rowville
VIC — Y Victoria – Ashburton Pool & Recreation Centre
- WA — Waterponyz Swim School
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR —
UP TO 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
UP TO 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
NATIONAL GOLD
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR — UP TO 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
Kwinana Swim School – Kwinana Beach Western Australia
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR — UP TO 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
WA — Kwinana Swim School
ACT — Aqua Harmony
NZ — SwimTastic
NSW — Swim Experts
QLD — Rackley Swimming Tobruk
VIC — AQUA Schools
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR — UP TO 1,000 LESSONS PER WEEK
NSW — All Coast Swim Stars
NSW — Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
VIC — Prouse Swim School
LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
NATIONAL GOLD
LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Carlile Swim – WA
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
WA — Carlile Swim
NSW — Carlile Swim
QLD — Carlile Swim
VIC — Paul Sadler Swimland Rowville
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
NSW — Ready 2 Swim
WA — All Saints’ Swim School
- WA — Beatty Park Swim School
SWIM TEACHER OF THE YEAR
NATIONAL GOLD
SWIM TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Daniel Pedavoli — Ready 2 Swim – Minchinbury NSW
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
SWIM TEACHER OF THE YEAR
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
Daniel Pedavoli — Ready 2 Swim – NSW
Renee Manly — The Swim Factory Australia – QLD
Erin Checker — Jump! Swim Schools Hackham – SA
Nikiesha Pilgrim — Prouse Swim School – VIC
Daria Kearon — Waterponyz Swim School – WA
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SWIM TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Leanne Young – Swim Experts – NSW
Pamela Ezard — WynActive – VIC
SWIM SCHOOL COORDINATOR / MANAGER OF THE YEAR
NATIONAL GOLD
SWIM SCHOOL COORDINATOR / MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Knudsen — Cranbrook School – Bellevue Hill NSW
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
SWIM SCHOOL COORDINATOR / MANAGER OF THE YEAR
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
NSW — Lauren Knudsen – Cranbrook School
ACT — Richelle Webb – Stromlo Leisure Centre
QLD — Lauren Hunter – The Swim Factory Australia
VIC — Dani Colosimo – Paul Sadler Swimland Rowville
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SWIM SCHOOL COORDINATOR / MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ACT — Jo Sanders – Sutherland Leisure Centre – Sutherland
NSW — Lisa Coleborne – Swim Experts – Minto
NSW — Kaitlin Sutherland – Rackley Swimming Smithfield
QLD — Kim Rigby – Rackley Swimming Kawana
VIC — Natasha Micallef – AQUA Schools
SWIM SCHOOL OWNER OF THE YEAR
NATIONAL GOLD
SWIM SCHOOL OWNER OF THE YEAR
Colin & Margaret Beck — C&M Aquatic Centre – Padstow NSW
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
SWIM SCHOOL OWNER OF THE YEAR
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
NSW —Colin & Margaret Beck — C&M Aquatic Centre
ACT — Alena Sarri – Aquatots
SA — Sharyn Loller – Jump! Swim Schools Hackham
VIC — Lauren Swaby – Let’s Swim! Swim School
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SWIM SCHOOL OWNER OF THE YEAR
NSW — Erin McMullan – Swim Experts
VIC — Kerryn Prouse – Prouse Swim School
INTERNATIONAL SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
NATIONAL GOLD
INTERNATIONAL SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Making Waves Swim School – Canada
FINALIST
INTERNATIONAL SWIM SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Fulton Swim School — New Zealand
NEW SWIM SCHOOL AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
NEW SWIM SCHOOL
Paul Sadler Swimland Aintree — Aintree VIC
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
NEW SWIM SCHOOL
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
VIC — Paul Sadler Swimland Aintree
QLD — Fish N Flips Morayfield
SA — SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre
EMERGING TALENT AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
EMERGING TALENT AWARD
Cyrus Milne — Waterponyz Swim School – WA
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
EMERGING TALENT AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
WA — Cyrus Milne – Waterponyz Swim School
ACT — Bernice Hay – Stromlo Leisure Centre
NSW — Jack Kerves – Cranbrook School
QLD — Sophie Vickery – Rackley Swimming
VIC — Hannah Brailsford – Y Victoria | Ashburton Pool & Recreation Centre
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
EMERGING TALENT AWARD
NSW — Natalie Martire – C&M Aquatic Centre
NSW — Nicholas Luca-Hancock – Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
INCLUSIVE SWIM SCHOOL AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
INCLUSIVE SWIM SCHOOL
Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre – Macquarie Park NSW
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
INCLUSIVE SWIM SCHOOL AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
NSW — Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
ACT — Gungahlin Leisure Centre
QLD — Rackley Swimming
VIC — The Little Swim School
WA — Kwinana Swim School
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
INCLUSIVE SWIM SCHOOL AWARD
NSW — Cranbrook School
NSW — Little Heroes Swim Academy
WA — MARC Swim School
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Buoyant Swimming & Aquatics – Strathalbyn SA
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
SA — Buoyant Swimming & Aquatics
ACT — Aquatots
NSW — SPLASHERS Learn to Swim
QLD — Rackley Swimming
VIC — Hawthorn Aquatic & Leisure Centre
WA — Canning Swim School
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
COMMUNITY SERVICE
NSW — Cranbrook School
NSW — Swim Experts
VIC — The Y Swim School
WA — UWA Aquatic Centre
INNOVATION AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
INNOVATION AWARD
All Saints’ Swim School – Bull Creek WA
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
INNOVATION AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
WA — All Saints’ Swim School
ACT — Aquatots
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
INNOVATION AWARD
WA — Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre
BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD (AND VIC WINNER)
BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD
AQUA Schools — Sunbury & Keilor Park – VIC
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD (AND VIC GOLD)
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Paul Sadler Swimland Rowville – Mont Albert North VIC
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
Rackley Swimming
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
QLD — Rackley Swimming
VIC — Paul Sadler Swimland Rowville
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
QLD — The Swim Factory Australia
WATER SAFETY AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
WATER SAFETY AWARD
Rackley Swimming – QLD
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
WATER SAFETY AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
QLD — Rackley Swimming
ACT — Aquatots
NSW — All Coast Swim Stars
VIC — Kingswim
WA — Beatty Park Swim School
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
WATER SAFETY AWARD
- ACT — Stromlo Leisure Centre
VIC — AQUA Schools
- VIC — Prouse Swim School
WA — UWA Aquatic Centre
WATER SAFETY CHAMPION
NATIONAL GOLD
WATER SAFETY CHAMPION
Nikiesha Pilgrim – Prouse Swim School – Horsham VIC
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
WATER SAFETY CHAMPION
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
VIC —Nikiesha Pilgrim– Prouse Swim School
ACT —Sunny Fung – Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AWARD
Paul Sadler Swimland Narre Warren – Narre Warren South VIC
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
VIC — Paul Sadler Swimland Narre Warren
ACT — Aquatots
NSW — Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
QLD — The Swim Factory Australia
WA — Canning Swim School
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AWARD
ACT — Aqua Harmony
- ACT — Stromlo Leisure Centre
VIC — Let’s Swim! Swim School
- VIC — Shawn’s Swim School
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING AWARD
Healthways Swim School – Ringwood VIC
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
VIC — Healthways Swim School
ACT — Aquatots
QLD — Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING AWARD
ACT — Aquatots
VIC — Kingswim
VIC — The Little Swim School
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
SwimTastic – Auckland NZ
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
NZ — SwimTastic
ACT — Stromlo Leisure Centre
NSW — Hills Swimming
QLD — Rackley Swimming
VIC — Paul Sadler Swimland Rowville
WA — Jump! Swim Schools Jandakot
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
NSW — Rackley Swimming Smithfield
QLD — The Swim Factory Australia
SWIM SCHOOL GROWTH AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
SWIM SCHOOL GROWTH AWARD
Fish N Flips Morayfield — QLD
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
SWIM SCHOOL GROWTH AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
QLD — Fish N Flips Morayfield
ACT — Stromlo Leisure Centre
SA — Jump! Swim Schools Hackham
VIC — Let’s Swim! Swim School
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SWIM SCHOOL GROWTH AWARD
QLD — The Swim Factory Australia
VIC — Paul Sadler Swimland Carrum Downs
SWIM SCHOOL TURNAROUND AWARD
NATIONAL GOLD
SWIM SCHOOL TURNAROUND AWARD
The Swim Factory Australia – QLD
REGIONAL WINNERS
» NATIONAL FINALISTS
SWIM SCHOOL TURNAROUND AWARD
THESE REGIONAL WINNERS BECAME THE NATIONAL FINALISTS
QLD — The Swim Factory Australia
SA — Jump! Swim Schools Hackham
REGIONAL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SWIM SCHOOL TURNAROUND AWARD
QLD — Rackley Swimming Milne Bay
Go to ASSA Hall of Fame
View the 2026 ASSA Awards Gala photos
ASSA Members can download high-res images for free (you’ll be asked your email)
