Hancock Prospecting, which sponsors swimming's four-yearly Pan Pacific Championships, has been a long-time supporter of swimming in Australia and will now work alongside the governing body through this year's International Swimming Federation World Championships in Kazan in August and beyond.

The company, which holds the rights to some of the largest land leases in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, joins the Georgina Hope Foundation, sponsors of the Australian Age Swimming Championships, as a major supporter of Swimming Australia.

The terms of the two-year deal include official naming rights to the Australian Swim Team and upcoming events, including next month's Australian Swimming Championships. 

"We are delighted to announce this two year deal with Hancock Prospecting," said John Bertrand, President of Swimming Australia.

"Our vision is to be the world's best swimming nation by 2020.

"With the support of the Hancock Prospecting Group and the Georgina Hope Foundation we believe we are on our way to achieving this goal."

Mark Anderson, chief executive of Swimming Australia, said the announcement is "another very positive step forward" as it prepares for Rio 2016.

"The tremendous support and endorsement of our progress from Hancock Prospecting and the Georgina Hope Foundation as we pursue our goals adds further momentum and excitement for all involved in our sport," he added.

"The encouraging results of the Australian Swim Team over the last 18 months, including the 26 medal haul from the Hancock Prospecting Pan Pacific Championships and the Glasgow [2014] Commonwealth Games, where we attained 57 medals, has also made the decision to continue the sponsorship an exciting one.

"Importantly the way the team are presenting themselves to the Australian public has been particularly pleasing."

The Australian Swim Team won a total of 57 medals at the Glasgow ©Getty Images






Gina Rinehart, chairman of Hancock Prospecting and the Georgina Hope Foundation, has been a long-term supporter of the next generation of swimmers in both Western Australia and Queensland.

The Georgina Hope Foundation Swimmers Support Scheme, which provides swimmers with support for their ambitions in and out of the pool, was established in January 2013 and will also run through to the end of 2016.

In November 2012, Swimming Australia and the Georgina Hope Foundation confirmed they would jointly fund a minimum of AUD$10 million (£5.2 million/$7.6 million/€7.3 million) over the following four years to provide personal financial assistance for Australia's leading swimmers.

"We are very proud to increase our support of these great young ambassadors who represent our country on the world stage," said Rinehart, a mining heiress considered Australia's richest woman. 

"Under the leadership of Swimming Australia President John Bertrand, we are seeing an exciting time for Australian Swimming as we witness a resurgence in the pool and an improved culture and focus on excellence, teamwork, and high standards.

"The success of our swimmers has been an important driver of Australia's national pride and Hancock Prospecting has been committed to investing in our country's future for many years."

The 2015 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships are scheduled to take place at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from April 3 to 10. 

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