Atlas Iron announces Four-Year Sponsorship of Artistic Swimming WA High-Performance Coach for Development of next-generation Olympic swimmers.
PERTH, 11 December 2023 – Artistic Swimming WA is proud to announce a new game-changing partnership with Atlas Iron to support our state’s next generation of world-class athletes.
The new four-year commitment will establish a dedicated Artistic Swimming WA (ASWA) high-performance coach for the development of aspiring swimmers, with a focus on preparing them for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles – and beyond.
The new coach will play a pivotal role in Artistic Swimming WA’s High-Performance pathway, providing top-class training, support, and guidance to our dedicated athletes.
This will ensure our swimmers will be well prepared to trial for the Australian National Teams, with the ultimate aspiration of becoming members of the Australian Senior National Team which is centralised in Perth at the Hancock Prospecting Centre of Excellence.
Nikki Eidne, Chairperson of Artistic Swimming WA, welcomed the exciting new partnership.
She said: “We are thrilled to have Atlas Iron on board as a key partner in our mission to elevate the standard of artistic swimming in Western Australia.
“This sponsorship not only reinforces our commitment to excellence but also reflects the shared vision of both organisations in supporting local talent on their journey to the highest echelons of international competition.”
Gerhard Veldsman, CEO Operations for Hancock Prospecting, said Atlas was proud to contribute to the development of WA’s future Olympians. He added: “Our Executive Chairman, Mrs Rinehart AO, has been a long-standing supporter of artistic swimming and her unwavering support has played a pivotal role in the development and success of many athletes over many years.
“Mrs Rinehart also serves as Patron of Australia’s internationally renowned Olympic swimming, rowing, volleyball, and artistic swimming teams, who provide important role models for Australians.
“This is in addition to the large amount of generous philanthropic support she provides to various other medical, educational, health, and community organisations.
“We’re pleased to be able to continue this legacy to ensure that our state’s aspiring athletes will have the support they need to compete at the highest level on the global stage.”
Spiro Pappas, Atlas Non-Executive Chairman, said: “Atlas Iron is proud to play a role in the development of our future Olympians. We are committed to supporting our athletes to be the best they can be and believe that our new partnership will help to pave the way for the next generation to be able to compete on the world stage.”
Atlas is an Australian iron ore company which mines and exports direct-shipped iron ore from its Mt Webber, Sanjiv Ridge (named after previous Atlas CEO Sanjiv Manchanda) and Miralga mines in the northern Pilbara region of West Australia.
It has a portfolio of exploration and development projects which now includes two magnetite projects. Atlas was acquired by Hancock Prospecting in 2018 when Atlas was facing financial problems and without input of additional capital, may have needed to close its operations.
