FPN — Federação Portuguesa de Natação

What is the FPN?

The Federação Portuguesa de Natação (FPN), the Portuguese Swimming Federation, is the national body for the aquatic sports in Portugal. Article 1 of its statutes describes it as “uma pessoa coletiva de direito privado” — a legal person under private law — constituted as a non-profit association, and records that it holds the status of a sports federation of public utility.^[4] The statutes in use were approved by the general assembly on 28 June 2009 and amended on 25 May 2022.^[4]

What does the FPN govern or do?

Under its statutes, the FPN covers swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open-water swimming, masters and adapted swimming, together with the other sporting activities held in pools.^[4] Article 2 assigns to it the organisation of Portugal’s national teams and the regulation and organisation of national championships and other competitions, and states that national sporting titles in its disciplines are conferred by the FPN alone.^[4] European Aquatics lists technical directors at the federation for swimming, water polo, open water and artistic swimming, alongside a high-performance director.^[2]

When was the FPN founded and where is it based?

Article 1 of the FPN’s statutes states that the federation was constituted on 19 August 1930, and European Aquatics also gives 1930 as its year of foundation.^[4][2] The statutes place its seat in Cruz Quebrada, in the municipality of Oeiras, and allow it to be moved under conditions they set out.^[4] European Aquatics gives the federation’s address at the Complexo do Jamor, on the Estrada da Costa.^[2]

How is the FPN recognised?

European Aquatics. European Aquatics’ directory of member federations lists Portugal’s member as the Portuguese Swimming Federation.^[1] European Aquatics describes itself as the governing body for aquatic sports representing Europe, affiliated to World Aquatics.^[3]

World Aquatics. Article 7 of the FPN’s statutes states that the federation is a member of the international swimming federation, FINA — now World Aquatics — and of LEN, the former name of European Aquatics. The statutes also record membership of the Mediterranean and Latin swimming confederations, COMEN and COLAN.^[4]

What does the FPN organise?

The FPN’s statutes make it responsible for regulating and organising the national championships and other national competitions in each of its disciplines, from pool swimming and open water to water polo, diving and artistic swimming, and for organising the national selections that represent Portugal.^[4] Its staff, as listed by European Aquatics, includes a vice-president for masters swimming and others for water polo and artistic swimming, each discipline having its own technical director.^[2]

Who are its members?

Article 11 of the FPN’s statutes names the territorial associations of clubs, of district or regional scope, as its ordinary members; clubs take part in the federation through these associations. The statutes also provide for organisations representing athletes, coaches and referees, and for merit and honorary members.^[4]