At Finswimming Team Novi Jelkovec, we don’t see our size as a limitation — we see it as our superpower.

As a grassroots club, we are deeply rooted in our local community. That connection allows us to spot problems, act quickly, and create real, human-scale change.
Through our work in the WIN – What Women Need project, we’ve turned that strength into a force for gender equality.

Breaking Stereotypes, One Stroke at a Time

Like many other disciplines, aquatic sports are still shaped by gender stereotypes.
Women remain underrepresented in coaching, leadership, and sometimes even in the water.

Our mission has been to flip that script — not through slogans, but through action.

We launched beginner-friendly finswimming sessions exclusively for women, removing the intimidation barrier that often keeps women from trying a new sport.
Many participants were completely new to organized physical activity — some had never learned to swim. Now, they are moving, connecting, and growing stronger together.

Empowerment in the Pool and Beyond

Our sessions aren’t just workouts — they’re platforms for empowerment.

With guidance from female coaches and a foundation of peer support, women build physical strength, confidence, and leadership skills.

One of our swimmers, Ana*, had spent years feeling isolated at home. Through WIN, she found the courage to join a class.

“At first, I didn’t even want to come there, as I had to go far beyond my comfort zone,” she shared. “Now I bring my children. We swim together. I’m not afraid anymore.”

(*Name changed for privacy.)

Small Scale, Big Impact

We’ve also embraced the digital side of WIN, helping women register for and use the WIN app — a simple but powerful tool for learning, networking, and staying active at home.

It’s not about numbers. It’s about ripples.

Each woman we reach influences her family, friends, and neighborhood. Multiply that by dozens of clubs like ours across Europe, and you begin to see the wave of change forming.

We are living proof that small clubs can drive big progress — when aligned with a clear purpose and supported by strong partnerships.