Competition Guidance
At Worsley ASC, we compete in a number of local swimming galas through Bolton and District and Manchester and District associations. This is a document to help outline the procedures of each different type of gala, along with some useful tips, which may help younger swimmers prepare for their first swimming competition.
What to bring
For a short swimming gala, you will need:
1 x WASC Swimming Hat and a spare
Swimming Costume/Trunks and a spare (black preferable)
1 x pair of swimming goggles and a spare pair
2 x towels, one for poolside and one for the end of the gala
Worsley ASC t-shirt for poolside and black shorts
Flip-flops for poolside
An energy drink or water for in between races
A snack for poolside or for after the gala on the car journey home
What to do
Arrive approximately 15 minutes before warm up time.
Make sure the coach knows that you are there.
Get changed into swimming costume/trunks and put t-shirt over the top. Make sure swimming hat, goggles and towel are easy to find in bag.
Go onto the poolside with swimming bag and the team manager/coach will tell you which races you have been entered in.
Do a short warm up when asked, around 6-8 lengths of frontcrawl and 1-2 lengths of other strokes is suitable within 15 minutes.
Wait on the poolside until you are told to go up for your race. Take a drink regularly, relax and cheer on other members of your team! If you need the toilet or need to leave the poolside, make sure you tell the team manager/coach on poolside first.
After your races, it is always better to wait until the end of the gala to support the rest of the team. If you need to leave earlier, please let a team manager/coach know.
Make sure you pick up all of your belongings and get changed into own clothes.
Manchester and District Galas
Teams
Age Groups: 9/10 years (25m), 11/12 years (25m) and 13/14 years (25m)
Approximate duration: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Venue: Varies
Programme A
Age Groups: 9/10 years (25m), 11/12 years (50m) and 13/14 years (50m)
Approximate duration: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Venue: Varies
Programme B
Age Groups: 15 and under (100m), OPEN (100m)
Approximate duration: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Venue: Varies
M&D Championships
Age Groups: 9 years – OPEN age
Approximate duration: over 1 or 2 weekends
Venue: Manchester Aquatics Centre
Bolton and District Galas
Mini League
Age Groups: 9 years (25m), 10 years (50m), 11 years (50m), 12 years (75m)
Approximate duration: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Venue: Varies
Interclub
Age Groups: 13/14 years (100m), 15 years and over (100m)
Approximate duration: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Venue: Varies
B&M Championships
Age Groups: 9 years – OPEN age
Approximate duration: over 1 or 2 weekends
Venue: Manchester Aquatics Centre