Mingara Aquatic is the ONLY resident swimming club at One by Mingara. We support competitive swimming, lifesaving and masters’ activities. We run a fortnightly ‘club night’ during the school term on Fridays from 6:30pm- 7:30pm. 

Please note, Mingara Aquatic Swim Club is run by volunteers and all enquiries should be directed via the website here or direct message to the Facebook page here.

Want to become a member of Mingara Aquatic Swim Club?

First Steps – Swim Central and Team Stacks App 

STEP 1: Your journey to competition begins with setting up a profile with Swim Central, the National Swim Australia database. You must set up this profile to become a registered member of Mingara Aquatic. Once registered, you’ll be able to log in, view, and manage your family’s times and event entries from any device. Whether you’re swimming for fun or tracking your progress, these times will be crucial for entering future club nights and competitions.

STEP 2: Next, download the Stacks Team App from the Google Play or Apple App Store. This free app is the club’s primary communication tool. Once installed, click here or search for Mingara Aquatic under “Find your Team/Club”. Through the app, you’ll receive notifications about club nights, results, and other important updates, including carnival details such as timekeeper allocations. Keep in mind that the club won’t notify you of every carnival, as there are many in the area and across Australia—these are listed in Swim Central (see Competition section below). 

STEP 3: Lastly, have you received your Mingara Swim Cap? As a new member, you’re entitled to a Mingara Swim Cap! To claim yours, just speak to the merchandising manager or a coach. 

 

Club Night Racing, Volunteering, Entering & Awards 

Every fortnight from October to September the next year, we host Club Nights at One by Mingara pool, offering a great opportunity to have fun, get involved, and challenge yourself. Races are designed to be inclusive, with multi-age and multi-ability categories, creating a supportive and friendly environment. 

Club Night – Volunteer Participation 

To ensure smooth operations we rely on each family to help with Club Nights. You will be asked to assist with timekeeping, marshalling, managing race computers, starting races or grilling at the BBQ. These roles are simple but crucial, assignments will be communicated via the Stacks Team App before each event. Please do not enter if you are not prepared to stay or help for the duration of the event. 

Club Night – Entering your races 

As a full member you can participate in Club Night and race in several different events. We operate on a tight schedule from 6:30pm to 7:45pm, therefore adjustments may be necessary to keep the evening on track. 

To participate you MUST submit race nominations via Swim Central before the cutoff date, typically the Wednesday before the event. These deadlines are advertised in the Stacks Team App and listed in Swim Central, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for nominations the week before. Entry to club night events is free, but there is a small pool entry charge for participants. There are no charges for spectators on these evenings. Results from Club Nights will be recorded and shared through the Stacks Team App in the days following the event. Please be patient as we are a team of volunteers. 

Club Night – Points Scoring Competition 

Throughout the season a points competition runs in the background, these are awarded based on; participation, performance and time improvements across various events. These points are not divided by age and are kept secret until the end-of-year presentation night when the winners will be revealed. Club Nights are all about getting involved, everyone has a chance to earn these points! 

**Important Note on Timing**  Unless otherwise stated, times recorded during Club Nights are *unofficial* and cannot be used for entering swimming competitions. On occasions such as Club Championships, when technical officials are present, these times may be deemed official and will be registered in Swim Central.   

Club Night – Annual Club Championships 

Our Club Championships typically take place over two Club Nights. Swimmers compete within their age group, with a goal to become ‘age champion’ for the swim year. To be eligible you must participate in the designated events listed in Swim Central. Entries for these nights close earlier than usual as programs are finalised in advance. Club Age Champions are announced at our annual presentation night.  

 

External Competitions & Carnivals 

As a full member you can also compete in external swim meets at other venues listed in Swim Central. Here’s how to navigate the process: 

Finding Swim Meets: Search for swim meets by location, date, or the name of the event in Swim Central. The visibility of these meets may vary depending on the hosting club’s settings. Some meets may be listed under ‘Events Closing Soon’, while others can be found in the calendar section. 

Search Tips: To avoid missing out on events, consider searching for meets by selecting a specific suburb and the radius you’re willing to travel. This can help discover more local opportunities. 

Staying Informed: While Mingara Aquatic won’t notify you of every carnival, we will send reminders for larger or more popular events from time to time. Connecting with fellow members is also a great way to learn about which carnivals to attend. 

Understanding Eligibility Criteria: Each swim meet has its own eligibility requirements including age groups, qualifying times, entry fees, and how medals are awarded. This information is typically found in the details section of the carnival listing on Swim Central or on the event’s official website. Be sure to read all the details carefully, especially regarding spectator entry requirements, some events may require pre-purchase tickets or separate pool entry fees. 

Entry Deadlines: All swim meets will have an opening and a closing date for entries. It’s important to note that smaller or popular carnivals may close early once they reach capacity. Registering early is therefore crucial to securing a spot, it is often very difficult—if not impossible—to enter a carnival after the closing date. 

Timekeeping Responsibilities: At most levels of competition Mingara Aquatic may be required to provide 1 or 2 timekeepers per lane. As a member, it is likely you will be asked to help with timekeeping during the carnival and is an expectation of entry that you will be prepared to contribute. 

Sessions & Relay Events: It is our team expectation that members will stay for the duration of the individual session. This is a great opportunity for swimmers to learn to support one another. Entering a competition declares your availability for relays, please do not enter the event if you are not prepared to swim for the club. We strive to foster a positive team culture, having our community sit together, loud and proud at competitions! Please help to play your part in fostering our community!  

 

Understanding Swim Carnivals: Development vs. Qualifying 

Swim carnivals are typically divided into two categories: Development and Qualifying:   

Development Carnivals 

• Ideal for New Swimmers: Participating in a Development Carnival is a great start to competitive racing. These events allow you to post times that can qualify you for higher-level competitions. 

• Eligibility: Development events generally don’t have minimum qualifying times, making them accessible to all swimmers. However, there may be a maximum time threshold—swimmers who exceed this limit may not be eligible for medals or prize money. 

• Goal: The primary aim is to gain experience and establish times in the database for future qualifying events. 

 

Qualifying Carnivals 

• Eligibility Criteria: Qualifying Carnivals are for swimmers who have met the minimum qualifying times for specific events. These times vary based on factors such as gender, age, stroke, and distance. 
• Entry Process: The Swim Central system will automatically display the events for which you are eligible. The hosting club usually publishes a list of qualifying times for each event.

 

Levels of Competition 

Hierarchy of Events: The typical progression of swim carnivals in increasing difficulty

 

• Advanced Levels: At higher levels, such as State or above, carnivals may be split into Junior and Senior categories. The most prestigious events include National Team Selection Trials and competitions at the Commonwealth, Olympic, and World Championship levels. 

 

Other useful resources and information 

• Follow Mingara Aquatic on social media: Join the Mingara Aquatic social media pages on Facebook & Instagram to stay connected. Here you will find updates, photos, and news about our club and its activities. Please support our team members by adding supportive comments and likes! 
• Check the Coast and Valley Swimming website: Click here to view the Coast and Valley Swimming website where you can view information about upcoming local and regional carnivals including dates, programs and timelines. It’s a great resource if you’re interested in competing locally—make it a habit to check in regularly.
• Compete beyond the local area: Swimming enthusiasts can participate in events outside our local area. Consider competing in carnivals at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC), country events and interstate competitions
  
• Home pool open competitions: Mingara Aquatic typically hosts 2 official carnivals each year in February and September at our home pool. These are excellent opportunities to compete on familiar turf and support your club. 
• Mingara Aquatic merchandise: Display club pride by purchasing Mingara Aquatic clothing and merchandise, arranged with our merchandising manager.
• Connect with fellow members: Get to know fellow club members and families! The community is a great source of tips, information and support, as you navigate your journey as a new member. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and strike up conversations – building relationships within the club is a key part of the experience.