The Midlands District will host the state's top swimmers this weekend for the Victorian Country Short Course Championships.
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More than 600 swimmers are expected to converge on the city for the top-end meet. Held at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre, the event is expected to bring more than 2000 visitors to the region.
Host club's Ballarat Gold, Ballarat GCO and Ballarat Swimming Club are readying for a big weekend.
"It's fantastic to be able to showcase Ballarat, its attractions and quality recreational facilities to the wider Victorian swimming community," Ballarat Gold president Jacqui Pierce said.
"We are excited to have had such a strong response to the event and look forward to welcoming everyone to Ballarat."
"It's fantastic to be able to showcase Ballarat, its attractions and quality recreational facilities to the wider Victorian swimming community."
- Jacqui Pierce
More than 110 swimmers from the three Ballarat clubs have qualified for this year's meet. Swimming in front of home fans, they will compete against 43 other clubs for the rights to a Victorian country title.
The three clubs expressed excitement about hosting the event, having worked closely with City of Ballarat and Ballarat Regional Tourism to ensure local businesses and the broader Ballarat community reap the economic benefits associated with bringing regional visitors and sporting events to Ballarat.
The meet provides the opportunity for talented junior athletes, outside of Metropolitan Melbourne, to participate in a high-level regional swimming competition.
It also provides a pathway to state and national competitions.
This year the Midlands District Amateur Swimming Association has partnered up with McDonald's Ballarat as the naming rights sponsor for the event.
McDonald's Ballarat's marketing manager, Jason Rossi said his business are active sponsors of community sport in the Ballarat region and were excited to be supporting the swimming community.
"We wish all the weekend's competitors every success for the event," he said.
The Bob Carmichael Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the club scoring the highest points across the event, with both individual and club relay titles up for grabs.
The Victorian Country Short Course Swimming Championships will run on Saturday and Sunday at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre.
