Today, on International Youth Day, we celebrate and recognise the young people who are helping shape the future of our sport for generations to come. As outlined by the number of major youth and junior events below, FINA is committed to delivering a global structure that provides maximum opportunities.     

FINA Youth Events – 2022

1-8 August | FINA World Women’s Youth Water Polo Championships – Belgrade (Serbia)

10-14 August | FINA World Youth Artistic Swimming Championships – Charlotte (USA)

11-19 August | FINA World Men’s Youth Water Polo Championships – Belgrade (Serbia)

21-27 August | FINA World Men’s and Women’s U16 Water Polo Championships – Larissa-Volos (Greece)

FINA World Junior Events – 2022

23 - 27 August | FINA World Junior Artistic Swimming Championships – Quebec City (Canada)

30Aug - 4 Sept| FINA World Junior Swimming Championships – Lima (Peru)

14 - 18 Sept | FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships – Mahe, Seychelles

27 Nov - 4 Dec | FINA World Junior Diving Championships – Montreal (Canada)

In addition to hosting world-class events in iconic locations worldwide, FINA’s longstanding relationships with National Federations are playing a key role in grassroots development, ensuring young athletes train in ideal environments to ensure a sustainable and successful career.

Image Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

In Singapore, 30,000 USD of funding towards the Singapore Swimming Association in 2022 has provided support for the AS Aspire Programme, an initiative designed for young swimmers to learn the fundamental skills of artistic swimming. The programme is supporting swimmers from age six, all the way up to the National Team.   

Meanwhile, in Canada, Olympic Aquatics Support Programme (OASP) funding saw Diving Canada host an outdoor “Junior National Festival” in July. The festival saw Swimming Canada combine junior elite and junior development national competitions, allowing all junior national level divers in Canada to compete in one location for the first time since 2013.

In New Zealand, Diving New Zealand is conducting school visits to raise awareness of diving for Year 3-8 students and deliver fundamental movement and technique classes. Moreover, children are being invited to free swimming sessions and taking part in ‘have a go’ sessions.

The Danish Swimming Federation is bringing together young swimmers between the ages of 12 and 14, through coaching sessions for swimming clubs across the country. The programme sees young swimmers exchange experience and knowledge, benefitting both the participants and the coaches.   

Image Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

In addition to the many ongoing development initiatives around the world, FINA continues to engage with more young people outside of the pool who are also the future of aquatics, as demonstrated by the recent launch of FINA’s TikTok channel. With the ability to swim a vital life skill for young people, FINA remains dedicated to ensuring that all have access to proper teaching.