australian swimming 93rd annual report 2001/2002

40 sponsorship
Telstra Corporation
Telstra’s Principal Sponsorship of Australian
Swimming enables the sport to run one of the
best sport programs in Australia for its athletes
and stakeholders. Funding from Telstra is used
in a myriad of Australian Swimming programs.
Telstra Ambassador Program for Telstra
Dolphins Squad Members sees members of
the Telstra Dolphins doing promotional
appearances to promote Telstra’s sponsorship
of the Dolphins and Telstra naming rights
events. The Telstra Coaches Incentive Scheme
continues to provide rewards to the coaches
through prize-money at the Telstra Grand Prix
Series. Telstra also supports the ASCTA
Annual Convention.
Funding from the Telstra sponsorship o≈sets a
large amount of the telecommunications costs
required to run the sport, including state and
national administration costs. State swimming
associations gratefully acknowledge Telstra’s
support of their organisations.
Telstra’s support also enables ASI to conduct
professionally staged events for the swimmers
to showcase their abilities for spectators and
national television audiences alike. These
events include the Telstra Australian
Championships, Telstra Australian Short
Course Championships, the Telstra FINA World
Cup and the Telstra Grand Prix Series. The
Telstra Grand Prix took a new approach this
year with a team-based format and a regional
visit to Far North Queensland. Telstra’s support
was well embellished by the Event Cairns
Group—a syndicate of local businessman and
supporters of swimming. This could prove to
be an exciting new formula for taking
Australian Swimming National events
to regional locations.
One of the highlights over the past 12 months
has no doubt been the increased new audience
the sport is building through its website.
Telstra plays a significant role in hosting and
co-developing the website with Australian
Swimming. The site provides information on
resources and events for the swimming
community. It also provides archival records
and squad information. From August 1,
2001–June 30, 2002 the web site has attracted
in excess of 51 000 000 hits, 4 057 310 page
views and 932 914 user sessions.*
Telstra also provides support for the ASI
Swimmer of the Year Awards. Telstra funding
assists with the cost of the evening and awards
presented to swimmers and coaches on the
evening. The 2001 Dinner was a black tie a≈air
presented professionally and very memorable
for those attending. A new award was
instituted last year, the Telstra People’s Choice
Award, won by Ian Thorpe.
Australian Swimming is pleased to
acknowledge David Thodey, Kari Lyall, Michelle
McKendry and Virginia Ryan for their continued
support of our programs.
*Source: Telstra On-Line
(Host—Australian Swimming Website)
elka graham
2001 Outstanding Achievement Award