Down Syndrome Swimming Australia
DSSA encourages individuals with Down syndrome to actively participate in the great sport of swimming at all levels of competency. Our aim is to give people with Down syndrome the opportunity to swim competitively against other athletes and to provide a pathway to local, national and international competition.
We are a public benevolent institution, advancing social and public welfare.
We are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
DSSA was formerly known as Down Syndrome Down Under Swimming Organization (DSDUSO). To be able to move forward in promoting sports for people with down syndrome in the field of aquatics and build relationships with mainstream swimming organizations, DSDUSO has moved from being a Sporting Association to an Australian Public Company, Down Syndrome Swimming Australia Limited (DSSA).
Our Goals
DSSA was established to encourage people with down syndrome to become more physically active and to enhance personal development and social interaction through the sport of swimming.
DSSA will continue to provide a platform for swimmers to represent Australia at DSISO international and world games. This opportunity is open for all swimmers committed to the training and discipline required to be part of any ‘Team Australia’.
DSSA is committed to have the disability classification S14 changed for athletes with Down syndrome. Currently the S14 classification is for ALL athletes with an intellectual disability which makes it impossible for athletes with Down syndrome to compete in a fair way. We are lobbying to have a separate classification of S21 for athletes with Down syndrome so our swimmers are not disadvantaged.