"Time to go ballistic": Dolphins head coach rallying cry ahead of Trials

Swimming Australia has launched “50 Tix for 50 Bucks” in an exclusive bid for schools to bring uncapped noise and energy to the Australian Swimming Trials at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC) from June 8-13 as part of the green and gold pathway to the 2028 LA Games. 

Australian Head Coach Rohan Taylor has put the call out for fans to raise the decibel scale inside SOPAC in preparation for the 40,000 plus expected fans that will cram into SoFi Stadium for the LA Olympics.

It’s all about noise, bells and whistles for a more personal and interactive experience for athletes and spectators with Swimming Australia adopting a holistic approach in the run to LA by implementing an events strategy to replicate what we anticipate will be the LA experience.

Trials will also include a SPLASH ZONE for fans for the first time where after heats, nominated athletes will stay for selfies and signatures.

“I want them to be rowdy and noisy, 100 per cent,” Taylor said.

“Obviously during the take your marks, everybody’s going to be quiet but before and after make as much noise as possible … go ballitic … and we want our athletes to be up close and personal with fans.

“One of the focus points on these Trials is starting to get used to being in large venues with large crowds that are going to create an atmosphere coming in LA. It’s not just about the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs but how we prepare for LA.”

Many Olympians and Paralympians were taken aback by the sheer volume of noise at the Paris 2024 Games’ La Defence Arena and with SoFi Stadium to be transformed into the largest swimming venue in history for the Olympics in two years time, preparation to perform in front of an even larger – and American local – crowd is crucial.

The stakes are high with three Dolphins teams to be selected across six days of racing: Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Championships and Para Pan Pacific Championships, both held in California, USA later this year.

50 Tix for 50 Bucks offers schools in New South Wales the opportunity to secure 50 tickets to the heat sessions during weekdays June 9 – 12 for just $50 AUD.

Find more information and submit an Expression of Interest here