Georgina Hope Foundation - Swimmer funding
The Georgina Hope Foundation Swimmer Support Scheme (GHFSSS), jointly managed by Swimming Australia, Hancock Prospecting and the Australian Swimmers’ Association and made possible by the generosity of our Patron Mrs Gina Rinehart, has been providing financial support to Australian swimmers since 2013.
The funding is to support elite swimmers in their training and competition environments, to assist them in pursuing educational opportunities, and to provide relief in cases of extenuating circumstances.
In very positive news for our sport, Mrs. Rinehart has committed to providing continued support for the GHFSSS through until June 2020. Our sport is lucky to have such a strong supporter in Mrs. Rinehart, and one that has been there through thick and thin. Swimming Australia has also committed to its ongoing annual investment in the GHFSSS for 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Every year the GHFSSS funding model and performance requirements are reviewed and revised if appropriate. July 1, 2018 will see changes to the GHFSS funding policy, which will lead to an updated funding model that more closely reflects High Performance priorities and provides incentive for high performing athletes.
The changes cater for a slightly reduced investment in the GHFSSS by Mrs Rinehart ($2.2 million down to $1.9 million annually) and have seen the funding model beupdated, reshaped and simplified to reflect High Performance priorities and incentivise performances at the major Benchmark Events (BMEs).
Key Features:
- There will be an increased focus on financial incentive for those Olympic Program athletes that achieve peak performance at the BME for the year, in alignment with Swimming Australia’s High Performance strategy.
- Base level funding (paid quarterly) will be lower, but there will likely be an expansion of the number of athletes that qualify for the top tier of base level funding, and a similar number of athletes that qualify for funding overall across both the Olympic and Paralympic programs.
- Base level funding will now be consistent across the four quarters and be determined by performances at the designated Trials event (2018 – Commonwealth Games Trials and the Pan Pacs Trials for the Olympic Program and the Para Pan Pacs Trials for the Paralympic Program; 2019 – World Championships Trials).
- Swimmers that have won a medal (as an individual or relay finalist) in the Olympic Program, or a gold medal (as an individual or relay finalist) in the Para Program at the 2017 & 2018 BMEs will qualify for the top tier of base funding in the following financial year.
- BME performances (top 8 for the Olympic Program and top 3 for the Paralympic Program) in 2018 & 2019 will determine International Performance Incentive Program payments and recognise and reward athletes for performing when it matters most.
- The next generation of athletes (Youth Transition Squad) will continue receiving support.
- There is a provision for extenuating circumstances that have adversely affected a swimmer in the lead up to or at the designated Trials to be considered. Extenuating circumstances can include illness, injury, equipment failure, or any other factors reasonably considered to constitute an extenuating circumstance.
Swimming Australia has a long-term vision for High Performance success in the sport and this success is achieved through investing in our current and up and coming champions as we strive for peak performance by the Australian Dolphins Swim Team at the benchmark events.
The new Policy for the Distribution of GHFSSS Funds is available below. Swimmers are encouraged to take the time to fully read and understand the new Policy.
Questions should be directed to Swimming Australia Performance Operations Manager Petria Thomas.
