The Types of Competition
Basically there are two types of competition:
1) Open Meets
These are competitions where Club swimmers enter individually using their previously achieved personal best time for each stroke and distance. Normally Coaches will select the stroke/distance they want a swimmer to enter to help in their development. The types of meet vary according to the capabilities of the swimmers expected to attend and are now generally licensed to one of four categories or levels (see below).
2) Gala’s
These are competitions between Clubs and generally take place on a Saturday evening. Swimmers are selected by the coach to swim in either individual races or as part of relay teams. As with open meets, galas can be aimed at swimmers of differing capabilities so the selection policy will vary accordingly.
Meet Licensing
The ASA have recently introduced a new licensing system designed to broaden the range of competition available to swimmers. As it’s fairly new it still has a few teething problems but in general Clubs are beginning to understand how to interpret the new system.
Briefly the system can be summarised as follows:
License (level) 1
These are the highest grade of open Meet designed for swimmers of National Standard and above. There has to be “lower qualifying times” (no slower than) but there is no “upper qualifying times” (no faster than). Times achieved at these Meets can be used for qualification to Nationals, Regional and County competition.
License (level) 2
These Meets have both “lower qualifying times” and “upper qualifying times” although this is usually much faster than a national qualifying time and therefore not normally are restriction to entry. The “lower qualifying times” however can vary considerably from Meet to Meet. Times achieved at these competitions can be used for qualification to Nationals, Regional and County competition.
License (level) 3
License 3 Meets have “upper qualifying times” but not necessarily a “lower qualifying time”. The Cut off can be anything up to National standard! Times achieved at these Meets can be used for qualification to County competitions.
License (level) 4
These are aimed a novices. In addition to “upper qualifying time” (no faster than) and “lower qualification time” (no slower than) a third term is now being used – “consideration time”. As this phrase infers this is the slowest time that may be considered for entry but it carries no guarantee.
One other method of selection that is also becoming more popular is “first come first served”. This is used in conjunction with a lower qualification or consideration time and has an advantage in that a full Club entry will either be accepted or rejected. This type of Meet may well become more common in the future.
Basically there are two types of competition:
1) Open Meets
These are competitions where Club swimmers enter individually using their previously achieved personal best time for each stroke and distance. Normally Coaches will select the stroke/distance they want a swimmer to enter to help in their development. The types of meet vary according to the capabilities of the swimmers expected to attend and are now generally licensed to one of four categories or levels (see below).
2) Gala’s
These are competitions between Clubs and generally take place on a Saturday evening. Swimmers are selected by the coach to swim in either individual races or as part of relay teams. As with open meets, galas can be aimed at swimmers of differing capabilities so the selection policy will vary accordingly.
Meet Licensing
The ASA have recently introduced a new licensing system designed to broaden the range of competition available to swimmers. As it’s fairly new it still has a few teething problems but in general Clubs are beginning to understand how to interpret the new system.
Briefly the system can be summarised as follows:
License (level) 1
These are the highest grade of open Meet designed for swimmers of National Standard and above. There has to be “lower qualifying times” (no slower than) but there is no “upper qualifying times” (no faster than). Times achieved at these Meets can be used for qualification to Nationals, Regional and County competition.
License (level) 2
These Meets have both “lower qualifying times” and “upper qualifying times” although this is usually much faster than a national qualifying time and therefore not normally are restriction to entry. The “lower qualifying times” however can vary considerably from Meet to Meet. Times achieved at these competitions can be used for qualification to Nationals, Regional and County competition.
License (level) 3
License 3 Meets have “upper qualifying times” but not necessarily a “lower qualifying time”. The Cut off can be anything up to National standard! Times achieved at these Meets can be used for qualification to County competitions.
License (level) 4
These are aimed a novices. In addition to “upper qualifying time” (no faster than) and “lower qualification time” (no slower than) a third term is now being used – “consideration time”. As this phrase infers this is the slowest time that may be considered for entry but it carries no guarantee.
One other method of selection that is also becoming more popular is “first come first served”. This is used in conjunction with a lower qualification or consideration time and has an advantage in that a full Club entry will either be accepted or rejected. This type of Meet may well become more common in the future.
Based at Swan Pool, we offer competitive and recreational swimming in a friendly environment for swimmers in North Bucks
Further information
Further information
Buckingham Swans
Swimming Club
Swimming Club
