It is with regret that the Masters Swimming Australia National Board of Management, in consultation with the Masters Swimming NSW 2020 National Championships organising committee, advise that the 2020 National Championships scheduled to take place in Sydney in September now been cancelled.

With the slow re-opening of pools across much of the country, and the return to squad swimming by some clubs, many members had their eyes firmly on a return to ’normal’, including competition events such as the Nationals. However, with travel still heavily restricted and uncertainty about where the next outbreak of COVID-19 may occur, it was considered necessary to cancel this year’s event. A full refund will be made to those who have already registered; we will work with our external service provider to process these refunds as quickly as possible.

We would like to thank all of those members from across Australia, and the world, who had registered to participate in the 2020 National Championships. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our event sponsors and partners. Finally, the National Board of Management extends its thankyou to the organising committee, particularly the Convenor, Jane Noake, for their forbearance; the 2020 Nationals were originally scheduled for April, postponed until September and now, reluctantly, must be cancelled.

While the Nationals for 2020 are sadly not to be, the 2021 Nationals aren’t that far away! Hopefully, come April 2021, our borders will have reopened and travel will be possible for all members. Please mark April 30 to May 3 in your diaries for the 2021 National Championships which are to be held in Darwin.

If you’re back in the water, enjoy your swimming, and for those in Victoria, keep strong and connected. To all of our members, stay safe, maintain your social distance and remember that we’re all in this together.

Regards,

Sarah Pisterman

General Manager, Masters Swimming Australia