Gala Types
Swimming competitions (Galas) fall into several different categories:-
- National
- Regional (North East Region, referred to as NER’s)
- County (Northumberland and Durham, referred to as N & D’s)
- Open (Level 1 & 2) – Club Run Meets
- Graded (Level 3 & 4) – Club Run Meets
Note that for National, Regional, County, Level 1 and Level 2 Galas the swimmer must have achieved the desired qualifying times in order to compete. These times can be achieved at Open and Graded Gala’s and the times achieved must be on rankings.
Gala Levels
Galas are aimed at different levels of swimmers and generally fall into 4 levels:-
● Level 1 Meet – is aimed at National qualifiers, or swimmers that are close to National qualification, who are looking to achieve National qualifying times.
● Level 2 Meet – is aimed at County qualifiers and swimmers who are looking to achieve Regional or National qualifying times.
● Level 3 Meet – is aimed at swimmers looking to achieve County and above qualifications and are for all swimmers whose times are below the upper qualifying time.
● Level 4 Meet – is aimed at swimmers looking to achieve County qualification and are for all swimmers below County level.
How to Enter
The Club will issue a Gala Calendar at the beginning of each season and it will be updated as more Gala dates are released. The Calendar will be put on the website and on the notice board.
The Head Coach determines which squads are to attend which gala and this will be noted on the Competition Calendar.
Check the programme of events to see how the events run for your age group. Your Coach will be able to advise on the events you should be entering.
Check if you have achieved the qualifying standards and fall within the upper and/or lower qualifying time limit for each event. Remember to use Long Course (50m) or Short Course (25m) times appropriate to the Gala being entered.
When it is time to enter a gala, an online form will be sent round to fill in to indicate which races the swimmer would lie to participate in and to make payments.
All gala details are issued by the Host Clubs and on occasion are subject to change by the Host Club. MASC are neither responsible nor liable for any such changes and it is the responsibility of the swimmer and their parent to check the Host Club websites for any amendments.
The Club will not refund for entries that are made outside of the conditions set by the host club i.e. training times for level 2 galas.
The Host Club alone may, at their discretion, grant refunds in exceptional circumstances, that is their decision alone and MASC has no influence over the matter.
Host Clubs are not, under any circumstance, to be contacted by swimmers or parents. Any correspondence should be referred to [email protected].
If you experience any difficulties whatsoever filling out a gala form, converting times or don’t understand what races can be entered, please speak to your Coach who will either help you themselves or direct you to one of the more experienced parents in the Club