New members welcome
Join Wests Illawarra
Club membership is what lets a swimmer race at Club Nights and represent WIAQ at carnivals. Everything is handled through Swim Central, the national membership and entry system. Here is what to choose and how to sign up.
Membership options
Which membership do I need?
Free, 60 days
Come & Try
A trial membership for swimmers new to the sport, lasting 60 days, with no membership fee. Club Night entry fees still apply. A good way to see whether Club Nights suit your swimmer before paying for a season. Ask the Registrar what it covers and what the conditions are.
Club level
Club Swimmer
For swimmers racing at Club Nights and at meets run by our Area, South Eastern Swimming Association. Covers club racing and our own carnivals.
All levels
Full Swimmer
For swimmers competing beyond Area level. Swimming NSW rules require a full swimmer membership for Country, State and National championships. Check with the Registrar which meets your swimmer is aiming for before you choose.
Required for every family
Club Supporter
Every family needs at least one Club Supporter membership, held by a parent or guardian. Also for volunteers and technical officials.
Each family must have a Club Supporter membership. When you join, buy one Club Supporter membership for a parent or guardian, plus a swimming membership for each swimmer.
What you pay is the Swimming NSW fee plus the WIAQ club fee. The Swimming NSW component is set out in the 2026-27 Swimming NSW membership fact sheet and you can compare the options on the Swimming NSW memberships page; the club component is added on top. The total for each membership is shown in Swim Central when you select it. If you are not sure which one to buy, ask the Club Registrar before paying.
Club Night entries are separate, at $10 per swimmer per night. Carnivals run by other clubs charge their own entry fees.
Step by step
How to join
If you already use Swim Central, start at step 4. A parent must have their own account before a child under 18 can be added.
Step 1
Create your account
Go to Swim Central and choose “Register for an account”. Use your own details, not your child’s, and follow the prompts to set a password.
Step 2
Confirm your email
Swim Central emails you a confirmation link. Click it, then return and log in. Check your junk folder if it hasn’t arrived after a few minutes.
Step 3
Set up your family
Complete your profile and emergency contacts, then create a profile for each swimmer in your family group.
Step 4
Find the club
Search for Wests Illawarra Aquatic Swim Club. Choose one Club Supporter membership for a parent or guardian, and a membership for each swimmer.
Step 5
Apply any voucher
If you have an Active and Creative Kids voucher, contact the Registrar before you pay, since vouchers cannot be applied afterwards.
Step 6
Complete your registration
Finish the checkout, including payment if your membership has a fee. Your swimmer can then be entered in Club Nights and carnivals through Swim Central.
Save on fees
Active and Creative Kids vouchers
Families receiving Family Tax Benefit can apply for a $50 Active and Creative Kids voucher for each eligible child, twice a year, through Service NSW. Two unexpired vouchers can be used together for a combined $100, but a voucher cannot be split between providers or used after you have paid.
Check with the Club Registrar before paying, so you know whether the club can accept vouchers towards membership.
Swim Central
What Swim Central is for
Swim Central is the national system run by Swimming Australia. It holds your family’s memberships and handles entries and results.
Memberships
Buy and renew memberships for everyone in your family group, and upgrade partway through a season if a swimmer starts racing at higher levels.
Event entries
Enter Club Nights and carnivals, pay entry fees and check what your swimmer is entered in. WIAQ Club Night entries close 6:00pm on the Thursday before.
Results and times
Official times from Club Nights and meets are recorded against the swimmer, so you can track personal bests and see qualifying times for championship events.
Need a hand
Ask before you pay
Membership questions
Club Registrar
Which membership to buy, vouchers, transfers from another club.
Club Night entries
Simone Peckman, Race Secretary
Entries, programs and event questions.
New to racing
Come to a Club Night
Club Nights run on selected Friday evenings in season at Emma McKeon Pool, UOW. Come and watch one before you join.