Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
World Aquatics launched a mentorship programme in 2025 to harness expertise within the global aquatics community. Selected and trained mentors from national federations assist other federations directly. The goal is to help mentees overcome challenges, set objectives, and develop long-term strategies tailored to their needs, fostering a more connected aquatics community worldwide.
Several federations began with foundational governance and administrative improvements. For example, the Somalia Swimming Federation developed its first comprehensive governance and administrative framework, aligned with its constitution and World Aquatics standards. Similarly, Guinea-Bissau focused on building institutional capacity across governance, administration, technical development, and education. Edwilson Cabral da Luz Lopes, President of Guiné-Bissau Aquatics, highlighted improvements in organisational standards and capacity building through training sessions as key benefits of the programme.
In the Caribbean, Aruba Aquatics Federation advanced from designing a governance framework to implementing a new compliance system. Treasurer Armando van de Griend described progress as slow but steady and noted that the programme enabled them to learn from their mentor, exchange ideas, and pursue opportunities to strengthen the federation. He emphasized that meaningful change takes time and expressed commitment to applying lessons learned and building on progress.
Other federations, such as Malaysia Aquatics, used the mentorship to refine their strategic direction. Working with a mentor, Malaysia designed a comprehensive strategic plan for 2026–2030, covering multiple aquatic disciplines.