Gala Information
Gala Entry Process
At Denbigh Dragons we set a closing date for galas approximately 2 weeks prior to that of the official date of the gala, although occasionally the hosting club does not leave enough time between the entry pack release date and closing date for us to do this e.g. the New Year Dragon Meet 2009.
This extra two weeks allows enough time for Del, our Team Manager, to:
- Receive entries and payment.
- Check payments against entries.
- Enter times/entries into Team Manager.
- Send a report out to swimmers and parents containing the information that will be submitted to the hosting organization. Information is also put onto our club website.
- Deal with any resulting queries.
- Finalise entry and submit entries and payment electronically and by post as required.
What Galas can I enter?
When you join the club, you will see that we have a fixture list with different galas/meets throughout the year. Deciding when to enter your first gala, and choosing the right one may appear to be a daunting prospect.
Below is some information to help you identify which galas you can (and should) enter. It is intended to give you an insight into the different levels of competition, and should be read as guidelines, rather than a set of rules.
Qualifying Times and Upper Cut Off Times
Most galas have qualifying times and some galas will have Upper Cut Off Times. A swimmer has to be able to swim faster that the Qualifying Time to be able to enter a meet. Likewise if a swimmer has achieved a time faster than the Upper Cut Off time he/she will be unable to enter the meet. You will see these referred to on the entry packs as QT’s (Qualifying Times) and CT’s (Cut off Times – sometimes referred to as upper time limits or UCT’s).
Grading of Meets
Meets are graded to suit swimmers of different abilities, and the fixture list can appear to be confusing at first glance. The different types of meets are detailed below, with an indication of the squads. Below are the criteria and constraints, which relate to the licensing of meets. There are four levels of licensed meet.
Level 4 Licensed Meet
These meets generally include Club Championships, Swimming Leagues, and Development Meets. They may sometimes require entry times but are an ideal opportunity for your first competition and should not be missed!
The Club Championships are now always licensed, and again it is an ideal opportunity for a young swimmer to obtain times. All swimmers should try to enter the club championships.
Level 3 Licensed Meet.
These meets are ideal for younger swimmers. These meets will require qualifying times, and will have upper qualifying times.
Level 2 Licensed Meet.
These meets are intended for more experienced swimmers. As with Level 3 meets, they will require qualifying times and will have upper cut off times. Qualifying times for these meets will generally be faster than those for a Level 3 meet.
Times obtained in these meets can be used for Regional Qualification and times swum can be used for entry in National Competitions.
Level 1 Licensed Meet.
These meets are the highest level of licensed meet, and are intended for British, ASA and Welsh Qualification. Times are also accepted for Regional Qualification. Qualifying times will apply to these meets and there will be no upper cut off times. These meets are mainly intended for the senior squads.
LICENCED MEET REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA
Below are the criteria and constraints, which relate to the licensing of meets. There are four levels of licensed meet, which are described below.
Level 1 Meet
These meets are intended for British, ASA and Welsh Qualification. Times are also accepted for Regional Qualification. All officials have to be registered for the duty for which they are used (i.e.Referee, Starter, Judge Etc). The pool must be 25m or 50m long, and where possible ‘Swim Down’ facilities should be provided, as these are ‘Premier’ events. Results sheets should show split times.
The minimum set of qualifying standards must be equivalent to the “A” Grade qualifying times as published on the British Swimming web site. For Boys 11 years, 12 years, 13 years & 14 years; Girls 11 years, 12 years, & 13 years no 50-meter events are permitted to be included.
Level 2 Meet
These meets are intended for Regional Qualification, and times swum can be used for entry in National Competitions. All officials have to be registered, with at least one official acting as referee, for which they must be qualified. Swimmers who achieve a National Qualifying Time at a level 2 meet may use that time for entry into National Championships. The pool must be 25m or 50m.
Upper qualifying times for these meets cannot be faster than the ASA Age Group and Youth qualifying times for the respective age group. For Boys 11 years, 12 years, 13 years and 14 years; Girls 11 years, 12 years & 13 years no 50-meter events are to be included.
Level 3 Meet
Level 3 Meets are intended for those swimmers wishing to achieve a Regional Qualifying time, which is not catered for at levels one and two. All officials should be registered with the minimum qualification of Judge being held by the official acting as referee. The pools must be of a length, which can be interpreted by use of the ASA Equivalent Performance Tables. Level 3 Meets include ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ Grade Meets, Sprint Meets. (‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ Grade Meets must have an advertised upper and lower qualifying time).
Level 4 Meet
All officials must be registered with the minimum qualification of Judge being held by the person acting as referee. Level 4 meets include Club Championships, Swimming Leagues, Diddy Meets, and Development Meets. Level 4 meets are intended for those swimmers wishing to achieve a Regional Qualifying time, and not catered for at levels one, two, and three. If electronic timing is used, the times can be used for the rankings. No qualifying times apply.
A competition calendar is issued by Swim Wales / ASA at the end of November each year. There is also a four-year competition calendar to assist in the planning of future events. This calendar will provide dates allocated to particular championships and competitions, which have to be avoided by Open Meet organizers (e.g. Speedo League Galas. Regional Championships currently scheduled to take place in February.) Also on that calendar are meets already booked by clubs. There are limitations as to how many clubs can hold meets at any one time so as to avoid conflicts .The competition year runs from 1st September each year.
A table summarizing the licensing criteria is shown below:
| Meet Level | Entry | Swimmers for whom meet is aimed at |
Qualifying Times Accepted | Official Qualifications | Pool Length | Electronic Timing | Computerized Results for Rankings |
| 1 | Qualifying Times | National Qualifiers | National & Regional | All Swim Wales Registered Officials |
25m or 50m | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Qualifying Times & Upper Limit Times |
Regional Qualifiers | National & Regional | All Swim Wales Registered Officials |
25m or 50m | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Qualifying Times & Upper Limit Times |
B/C Grades Sprint Meets | Regional | All Swim Wales Registered Officials |
25m | Yes for Regional Qualification |
Yes for Regional Qualification |
| 4 | No Qualifying Times | Club Championships Leagues Diddy Meets Development Meets |
Regional | All Swim Wales Registered Officials |
25m | Not Required. Times can be submitted for rankings |
No |
Del March 2010
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