How to enter
By visiting the gala calendar on this website you will see the list of events we are taking part in this year. By the side of each gala it will specify the level of swimmer eligible to enter the event. We highly recommend you place these dates in your diary early.
SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR INTER-CLUB GALAS
As a competitive swimming club we hope that eventually all our swimmers will participate in competitive swimming either through inter-club galas, open galas or the Club Championships.
Throughout the year we swim in a number of inter-club galas, the calendar of events in which we participate is displayed on the club website.
We take part in the Herts Swimming League galas – 3 Major League galas for the older swimmers and 3 Peanut League galas for the younger swimmers. We expect our members to give these galas priority and to keep the published dates of the galas free so they can participate in them if they are selected. Category 2 (open) swimmers should also give league galas priority over open galas.
We also take part in several non- league galas and our top swimmers swim in open galas where they swim as individuals.
The selection procedure for interclub galas is as follows. Please note that it differs for league and non-league galas.
LEAGUE GALAS
Swimmers are picked for these galas on up to date times, their current form and the order of races in the gala. We always aim to swim the best team we can as we do like to try and win! We do understand that this can be disappointing for the swimmers who are not selected but hope that they will continue to train hard and hopefully be selected for the next gala. Sometimes swimmers will only be selected for 1 relay event especially if they are novices and swimmers could be selected to swim in events that are not in their age group. Please explain to your children that this is quite normal and that all our top swimmers started in the same way. Other clubs take non swimming reserves but we do not make a practice of this.
As stated above, we expect members to give these galas priority and keep the dates free. You will be asked by email at least 3 weeks before a gala for your child’s availability to swim gala. The coach will then make her team selection and, whenever practicable, this team will be emailed to members 2 weeks before the gala.
NON –LEAGUE GALAS
The coach endeavours to swim all the swimmers who make themselves available in these galas and consequently individual swimmers will swim less events than in a league gala. Open swimmers do not need to give these galas priority over an open gala.
For non-league galas you will be asked 3 weeks before a gala for your child’s availability to swim. Please do not say your child is available unless they can attend the whole gala. The coach will then make her team selection and, whenever practicable, this team will be emailed to members 2 weeks before the gala.
For both League & Non-League Galas – if you are unsure if your child is swimming PLEASE ASK – it is your responsibility as parents to find out.
· Please make sure you are aware of the location of the gala, the start time and that you know the directions to the pool.
· The coach will not tell the swimmers what event(s) they are swimming until the actual gala.
· If your child is selected and then becomes unwell please email the chairman (Lynn Fernandes at lynn@fernandes.clara.net) as soon as possible
· The uniform for inter-club galas is a plain black costume/trunks, club hat & club polo shirt . The hats and polo shirts are available from club stock. (The ONLY exception to this is “performance” suits which must be mainly black.)
· Please also make sure that your child(ren) are fully aware of the Club Code of Conduct as this will be enforced on poolside.
OPEN GALAS
These are open to all category 2 swimmers. The Coach will inform you when you are ready to enter these galas. You enter as an individual but represent the club. With a few exceptions the minimum age for entry to open galas is 9 years.
The gala secretary will email the details of open galas as soon as they are available. You will be given a closing date for submitting your entry after which time your entry will not be accepted. Pay attention to the closing dates as we hate having to disappoint the swimmers. No entries will be accepted without correct entry fee which should be paid by cheque made payable to 'Hertsmere Flyers SC.'
If you require advice on which events to enter please ask the Coach.
Swimmers should keep a list of their up to date personal bests. If you require an updated list please contact the club statistician.
The gala secretary will collate and submit all the club's entries for a gala to the host club/organisation.
As soon as the gala secretary has notification from the host club/organisationthat your entry has been accepted you will be informed. Do not assume that because you have submitted an entry to swim your entry will be accepted - host clubs/organisations have different criteria for accepting entries and all reserve the right to refuse an entry( most common reason for an entry not being accepted is an over subscribed meet) If your entry is not accepted you will be refunded your entry fee.
If your entry is accepted the gala secretary will give you the details of what to do on the day - warm-up times, etc.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
These take place once a year and are open to all members of the club regardless of age.
Entry forms will be sent out 2 months before the gala and an entry fee per event is payable. The entry form will detail the closing date for acceptance of entries.
