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wimming Australia and the Australian Swimming League (ASL) have announced the creation of a new national professional Australian Swimming League starting in 2022.

The annual competition will include a club-based competition under a license model with each team to be represented by a set number of swimmers, with an even number of male and female athletes.

As part of the competition, the ASL will include an annual draft for junior talent, and competitions set to take place over a period of several weeks across Australian swimming venues.

Swimming Australia CEO, Alex Baumann, said: “Swimming is an integral part of Australian culture and leading recreational activity, not to mention the success our Olympic and Paralympic athletes have achieved in the sport.”

“For generations, Australian swimmers have been some of the best in the world and are household names both at home and abroad.

“Outside of major international events, it is important for Swimming Australia to create a high-profile domestic platform to showcase our current and future stars which also supports our vision of delivering greater opportunities for Australia’s leading athletes.

“We are delighted to be working with the ASL to establish an annual, made for broadcast league, that will provide high level competition for our swimmers, while entertaining a broad audience in a way which excites and inspires,” he said.

ASL CEO, Stuart Coventry, said the ASL, which is privately owned, will run the competition thanks to assistance from Swimming Australia.

“The ASL is thrilled to be partnering with Swimming Australia to establish and operate this new professional swimming league,” Coventry said.

“The ASL will be swimming but not as you know it.

“It will be an exciting format that delivers a fast-paced event program that pits individuals and teams against one another in an elite competition with plenty of action in and out of the water.

“This competition will capture the imagination of a diverse audience through our fast-paced, action-packed, highly entertaining and family focused product.

“We look forward to sharing more details about the league over the coming months ahead of the inaugural series commencing in Summer 2022,” he said.

With Swimming Australia recently announcing a new broadcast partnership with Amazon, it is expected this new domestic competition will provide direct value for the new broadcast deal.