Australia named an 18-athlete para swimming squad for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with nathan cleary included in the headline framing of a team built around Tim Hodge and Col Pearse. The group blends proven medals chances with debutants, and it also carries one of the squad’s clearest storylines: Lakeisha “Lucky” Patterson is back for a fourth Commonwealth Games.
Tim Hodge and Col Pearse lead
Hodge and Pearse arrive as the squad’s headliners after standout performances at Birmingham 2022, where both further cemented their status. Their selection gives Australia two established gold medallists at the center of the Glasgow line-up, and it leaves the team with a core that has already handled the demands of a major multi-sport meet.
Patterson adds a different layer. She made her Dolphins debut as a 15-year-old at the same pool where she will compete again, and now she is preparing for her fourth Commonwealth Games. After the squad was named, she said, “It's always an honour to wear the green and gold and representing Australia at my fourth Commonwealth Games is special” and added, “The Commonwealth Games is the only time on the international stage we get to compete alongside our able-bodied friends, and we have more classifications on offer this time around.”
Patterson and Hogan return focus
The age profile shows how far the squad stretches in both directions. Mia Hogan is 14 years old and the youngest member of the Australian Commonwealth Games team named so far, while Gemma Sellick and Liam Togher are both 16. Kirralee Hayes is also back in the mix after her first Australian team since Birmingham.
That spread is exactly what Swimming Australia wants in Glasgow. Mel Tantrum said, “There is so much experience and youth in this team … from Tim, Col and Lucky through to Mia and all our debutants and the likes of Kirralee Hayes returning to the team - her first Australian team since Birmingham” and added, “For us we're expecting a full medal sweep in some events and across the board we are expecting to be a very competitive team.”
Glasgow 2026 squad picture
Petria Thomas said, “Australian swimming has a proud history at the Commonwealth Games, and the para swimming squad for Glasgow will build on that legacy with incredible performances” and, after the squad was named, added, “I commend those named today, acknowledge the tireless effort of their coaches, support staff, friends and family behind the scenes and look forward to welcoming their able-bodied Dolphins counterparts to the team next month.”
For Australia, the selection locks in 18 athletes now and sets the target clearly: medals, depth and a team that can lean on both experience and first-time energy in Glasgow. Patterson’s fourth Games, Hogan’s age and the return of Hayes give that squad more than one route to results.
