City of Cambridge Swimming Club

These are held every year, at time determined by the ASA calendar, the Club calendar and by pool availability. They cover every stroke over a variety of distances. Every single swimmer in the Club should enter.

The Championships may take place over several weekends and evenings. They provide an opportunity to gain competition experience in a Club environment and can also be the spur to getting that new personal best (PB) time.

Races are swum in age groups. Cups, medals and prizes are awarded. A BAGCATS (British Age Group Attainments) points system operates to recognise overall achievement. BAGCATS scoring will also be used at County and National championships.

The Club Championships provide an opportunity to see swimmers at all levels of ability compete. This is particularly useful to new members, who can get an idea of what they may be capable of in the future.

Its also good for younger swimmers to gain enter their first gala in a relaxed atmosphere in a pool they are familiar with.

Cambridgeshire County Championships (Individuals, except relays)

These are for 10 years and up and are held annually. Most recently the venues have been shared by Peterborough Regional Pool and Parkside Pool. The Club encourages all members to enter.

The Championships are divided into 3 parts - Novice, Intermediate and Senior which take place on different weekends during the year. Entries for all the galas are determined by qualifying time. There are no entry times for the Novice Gala but if your time for an event is faster than an upper time limit, you will have to swim the event at the next level up - the Intermediate Gala. If your time for the event is faster than the upper limit set for the Intermediate Gala, you will have to swim the event in the Senior Gala.

It is often the case that a swimmer might enter a mixture of Novice, Intermediate and Senior graded events.

The County Championships also include team relay events in age groups, which you may be asked to compete in, even if you are not swimming in individual events.

The rules are subject to change by the County ASA

County Galas (Team)

The team for the County is selected by the Cambridgeshire County Team Managers and is by invitation only.

Regional and National Championships (Individuals)

Beyond County Championships, swimmers strive for qualification for the East Region Championships which are held annually. Swimmers are from all clubs affiliated to the ASA East Region. Entries will only be accepted if certain qualifying times (that are set annually) have been met. These times have to be achieved at a 'Designated' event. Similarly National qualifying times have to be achieved for entry into National events.

Junior Fenland League (Team)

The Clubs entry into this league is mainly for Foundation and Development Squad members, up to 13 years old. This may be their first introduction to competitive swimming. Cut off times apply. There are usually 5 or more rounds of the Junior Fenland League culminating in a Finals Gala usually in October. City of Cambridge are the current (2006) League Champions.

Senior Fenland League (Team)

The Senior Fenland League is similar to the JFL but takes place over only two rounds (including the finals) and is open to all swimmers ie there are no cut off times.

Eastern Junior League (Team)

This is targeted at swimmers up to 12 years old. If we are successful in this regional league, it leads to a national final. The coaches usually arrange a strong team for league events.

Cambs Cup (Team)

This is a local event for Cambridgeshire Clubs. Teams are selected with the objective of winning this event.

Open Events (Individual)

These are competitions hosted by a club. Swimmers must submit personal entry forms to compete. The Clubs fixture list will identify which Open's the coaches would expect members of appropriate squads to enter, as they need to fit in to the training programme and cycle.

Entry forms will be distributed by the Club for Open's that your coaches wish you to enter. At these events you will be competing against other swimmers from other club's and districts. The times you achieve may be recognised for entry into Midland District and National events.

George Wright Trophy (Individuals)

This is a 100m freestyle event, normally competed at the last training event before Christmas. Entry is by invitation only. For girls and boys 14 and under.

Ray Barker Trophy (Individuals)

This is a 100m freestyle event, normally competed on Splash Night. For girls and boys 15/16 years.

Jeanne Barker Trophy (Individuals)

This is a 100m freestyle event, normally competed on Splash Night. For girls and boys 17+ years.

Harley Winster Trophy (Individuals)

This was a new event in 2001. Harley was an active member of both the swimming and diving sections of our Club. The event is to celebrate his memory. It is an annual 100m Individual Medley race, with entry by invitation of the Coach. Its purpose is to encourage non-elite swimmers to compete for a major Club Trophy. This event will normally form part of the Club Championships.

Team Selection

For all Team events selection of our Team is made by the coaches. You should look at the noticeboard on a regular basis to see if you have been selected. Team lists are usually circulated by e-mail. Coach transport is sometimes available for team competitions, although the club have had to recently cut back on coach journeys to relatively local galas due to the high cost of provision.

County Records

If a swimmer achieves a county record time, they or their parents should obtain a County Record Form from the Club Secretary. They should complete the form and send it to the County Records Secretary together with a copy of the official result sheet that confirms the time, date, venue and event. County Records must be claimed within three months of the swim.

Time Trials (Individuals)

These are not competitions, but are arranged by the coaches to find out what your latest times are. Some competitions require that you meet a qualifying time and time trials can give you the chance to achieve this.