Meli Malani has been awarded a scholarship by the International Swimming Federation (FINA).

The Dolphins Swimming Club member will be based at the Spire Institute in Ohio, USA, from early next year.

The new FINA Scholarship Program was introduced this year in order to help athletes qualify for the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Under the program, FINA will assist scholarship holders to train in a high level training centre.

Apart from Malani, Cheyenne Rova, Adele Rova, William Clark, Paul Elaisa and Brosnan Erbsleben are on Oceania Foundation/ONOC scholarships and will be based at Iowa Lakes Community College in USA.