The League secretaries have met today and shared the challenges that they are experiencing across the country in booking pools for the three rounds of competition for 2021.
The decision has been made that, where possible, there will be face-to-face galas. Where that is not possible, then clubs will be able to swim the programme on a virtual basis, in their own training sessions, in the week leading up to the normal weekend dates. If the competition is virtual and clubs are able to negotiate with other local clubs to swim together, that is to be encouraged, whether they are in the same league or the same division. Events should be officiated to at least the current Level 4 standard, and electronic timing is not necessary.
The programme of events has been reduced to manage the numbers of athletes required, and potentially a team need only consist of two athletes of each gender in each age-group. Obviously where a team has sufficient numbers, they could have six athletes of each gender in each age-group. As in the past, swimmers will be allowed only two individual swims in their own age-group, (3 allowed in 16+) and one swim in an upper age-group. Swimmers can swim up in relays, without restriction as to the number of relays swum.
National conditions will be issued shortly to cover all leagues and all divisions for use in the 2021/2022 competition year.
As has already been agreed, there will be no registration fee for clubs for this competition year for any league, however, applications to join a league will be subject to the individual leagues’ requirements. For all leagues there will also be no promotion or relegation between divisions, so that any effect from illness over the three rounds will not impact the teams.
These are still challenging times, but the league organisers are working really hard to ensure that the competition takes place in the fairest way possible for our athletes. Please contact your league secretary if you have any queries.
