City of Hereford Swimming and Water Polo Club

Types of Competitions

Competitions available to swimmers can be split into different types of events. It is important to understand the differences as entry processes can be different.

Team Galas

  • Team galas are competitions where swimmers will be selected by the Head Coach or member of the Coaching Team. 
  • These events are shorter in duration (approx 3 hours) and swimmers will be allocated swim races by the coach selecting the team.
  • Generally these events are unlicensed but are great for gaining new times and racing experience in a fun environment.
  • Some competitions license the final round or final and swimmers can use these times to qualify for County Championships and other Level 2 meets.
  • Depending on the rules of the competition, Club Train swimmers might be able to take part.
Team Gala selection process (.pdf)Download

Below is an overview of some competitions we usually enter annually.

Swimgainz Junior Development League (www.swimgainzjuniorleague.co.uk)

  • This competition is for Club Train & Club Compete members.
  • Ages 9/u, 10, 11, 12 & 13-14 (Age on 30th June in the year of the competition).
  • 8 year olds can be selected too.
  • Traditionally 4 rounds (January, March, April & May).
  • A or B Final in June.
  • Galas are held in external 25m pools.
  • Final is Licensed to Level 4.

Wyvern League (www.swimgainzjuniorleague.co.uk)

  • This competition is for Club Train & Club Compete members.
  • Ages 9, 10, 11, 12-13 & 14-15 (Age on 2nd Saturday in May).
  • 8 year olds can be selected too.
  • Traditionally 3 rounds (January, March & May).
  • Galas are held at 25m pools in Newport, Hereford & Pontypool.
  • Final round is Licensed to Level 4.

National Arena Swimming League (www.nationalswimmingleague.org.uk/league/west-midlands/

  • This competition is for Club Compete members ONLY.
  • Ages 9-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16+ (Age on a date is 31st December each year).
  • Competition is made up of 3 Divisions in the West Midlands.
  • Traditionally 3 rounds (October, November & December).
  • Galas are held in external pools.
  • All Rounds are Licensed to Level 4.



Open Meets

Open Meets are competitions where swimmers will enter events that they wish to compete in at a given event. Each event will issue an entry pack and schedule of events. The club will support the entry process for meets that the club target through the calendar year (please see the club calendar to identify these meets). The club will provide coaching support and Team Managers at the event to support the athletes through the competition. Entries will be processed through Club Organiser.

Open Meets are ranked Level 4 down to Level 1 and generally indicate the standard of swimmers invited to attend a given meet. These are explained below:

LEVEL 4: 

These meets are generally for all swimmers as there are no restrictions to entries. These competitions can be used as an ideal way to begin the competitive journey. These competitions can include in-house competitions, like our own Club Championships and can be swam in a 50m or 25m meter pool. Some Open Meets are Level 4 Invitational galas (where our club will be invited by the host to attend). Swimmers can take part even if they are only ‘Club Train’ registered with Swim England so it is a great way to give competing a go before you decide to upgrade to ‘Club Compete’. Events like Club Championships and some invitational meets will allow swimmers who are under 9 to compete. This will be specified in the event conditions. 

LEVEL 3:

This is the next step up from Level 4. Only ‘Club Compete’ swimmers can enter these events and swimmers must be 9 years of age on the competition specified ‘age on date’. Entries generally have Upper time limits / No Faster Than times. Swimmers who have PBs that are faster than these times cannot enter in those particular events. Times achieved here can be used for entry into Level 1 meets, Regional and County championships. These can be swam in a 50 or 25 meter pool. Some competitions at this level may also accept swimmers with No Times.

LEVEL 2:

Again, this is the next step up, with swimmers requiring a minimum qualifying time to enter. One example of this is the County Championships, which is a target competition for us. They can be swam in a 50 or 25 meter pool.

LEVEL 1:

This is the highest level of competitive swimming. These are always in a 50 meter pool and will have quite tough minimum entry times.

Target Championships:

WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • The Worcestershire County Championships take place each year in January & February.

  • On the County website you will also find details of the County Qualifying times for the next Championships. Swimmers must achieve these times at any Level 4 competition or higher in order to be able to enter. The qualifying period, to swim the times, is between 1st January until early/mid December.
  • Swimmers should look at the times that are required for their age that they will be on the 31st December in the year of the competition.
  • The County Championships are conducted as a Level 2 meet so therefore allow swimmers to record times for Regional Qualification.
  • In June each year, we are also invited to enter a relay team for each age group band to compete against other clubs in the County. These teams are selected by the Head Coach. The age groups are 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16, Open, Masters (combined age of 101-139), Masters (combined age of 140+).

WEST MIDLAND REGIONAL SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS:

  • The West Midland Regional Championships take place in April/May each year.
  • ​On the West Midland website you will also find details of the Regional Qualifying times for the next Championships. Swimmers must achieve these times at any Level 3 competition or higher in order to be able to enter. The qualifying period, to achieve these times, opens on 1st April in the year before the competition and closes in early April in the year of the competition.
  • ​Swimmers should look at the times that are required for their age that they will be on the 31st December in the year of the competition.
  • ​Times can be achieved by swimming in a Short Course or Long Course pool but times will need to be converted to the correct format. The Regional Championships are conducted as a Level 1 meet so therefore allow swimmers to record times for possible National qualification (English, Scottish, Welsh and/or British).   
  • ​In November / December the Midland also host a Winter Regional Short Course Championships. Qualification times can be found on the website when published but are split into Junior (15/u) & Senior (16+) age brackets. 

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The National Championships are split into two categories:

  1. British Nationals 
  2. Home Nation Nationals (English, Scottish, Welsh)

​For both categories swimmers will be selected from the National Rankings Database, using Level 1 times recorded at Open Meets and Regional Championships.

  • The British Nationals will invite the top swimmers from England, Scotland & Wales. For more details visit the British Swimming Website.
  • The Home Nation National governing body will then select the next group of swimmers on rankings to compete in the athlete’s club nation or the athlete’s international representation nation.

Additional Home Nation National Championships:

  • The Home Nations also host Winter National Short Course events in November/December each year. These are also split into Junior and Senior Qualification times.

In Wales and Scotland there are additional Long Course National Age Group Championships held in April.