In 2014, World Aquatics made waves by establishing the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme, offering financial and technical support to talented, but under-resourced, athletes from swimming, open water swimming, diving and artistic swimming. Now, as the programme gears up for its 2024-2025 edition, it promises to make an even greater impact on aquatics athletes worldwide as it will be open for the first time to water polo players.
With the aim of providing opportunities to those athletes with internationally recognised achievements but who lack sufficient training conditions locally, the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme stands as a transformational platform for aspiring swimmers, open water swimmers, divers, and artistic swimmers. In what is a groundbreaking addition, water polo players will also have the opportunity to apply for a tailored programme in the 2024-2025 edition, for the very first time.
The water polo programme will target athletes with exceptional talent and drive, who have participated at the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 and/or the 2024 Men’s/Women’s European Water Polo Championships and/or at a Continental Championship held in 2023-2024.
For the upcoming edition, the programme aims to support 100 swimmers, 20 open water swimmers, 20 divers, 10 artistic swimming duets and several water polo players. Given that the water polo programme is in its first year, there is not yet a specified number of places. To ensure fairness and inclusivity, quotas per continent and gender equality are meticulously considered in the selection process.
Each World Aquatics Member has the opportunity to nominate one athlete per discipline, ensuring diverse representation from all corners of the globe. Selected athletes will have the chance to train at the prestigious World Aquatics Training Centre for a duration of one to two years, with the exception of artistic swimming duets and water polo players.
Priority in the allocation of scholarships is given to candidates who do not have sufficient training conditions, and for whom the scholarship will be a transformative opportunity to harness their full potential.
Commenting on the programme, World Aquatics President, Husain Al-Musallam stated; “As the world awaits the next generation of aquatic champions, World Aquatics is committed to nurturing the development of its members and their talented athletes. The World Aquatics Scholarship Programme is a fantastic initiative that demonstrates our commitment to doing everything we can to support and propel our young talent toward success.”
For all information on application and selection criteria, as well as the training centres around the world, please click on the links below:
Applications for the programme must be submitted by 30 April 2024.