2-3 home galas per year; 2-3 away galas per year; 1 swim off gala at end of season (1st Fri in Jun). Top 3 teams in league swim for promotion; bottom 3 teams swim for relegation
All swimmers get a Forest Feast sponsored Aquasprint T-Shirt and medal at end of season
Arthur McDonald Novice Gala
Hosted by Newry & Mourne swimming club and includes 4 clubs
Newry & Mourne
Armagh
Lurgan
Portadown
Championship format gala – Multiple Heats in morning; Finals in afternoon
Almost same format as Aquasprint galas:
Medley Relays – Groups A-D Straight Final
Backstroke Girls, Boys – Groups A-D Heats in morning, finals in afternoon
Breaststroke Girls, Boys – Groups A-D Heats in morning, finals in afternoon
Butterfly Girls, Boys – Groups A-D Heats in morning, finals in afternoon
Freestyle Girls, Boys – Groups A-D Straight Final
Finals of 4 individual strokes for 8 fastest across the heats
Reserve List – very important to check!
PTL – League based for older swimmers – Sep to Mar/Apr
Based on Year of Birth – Group A (10 & under); Group B (11-12); Group C (13-14); Group D (15+)
All races 2 lengths (25m or 33m) and separate Girls & Boys races
Group A for galas at Portadown pool swim 1 length (33m) instead of the normal 2 lengths (50m)
2-3 home galas per year; 2-3 away galas per year; 1 PTL Area Heats (South region); 1 PTL Finals (Best of South region vs Best of North region)
Armagh Championships – usually last Sat in Jan / first Sat in Feb
Rotates between the following 4 clubs each year
Newry & Mourne
Armagh
Lurgan
Portadown
Similar format to PTL without the IM and with less shared age groups:
10 & Under
11 year olds
12 year olds
13 year olds
14 year olds
15 & over
All races 2 lengths (25m or 33m) and separate Girls & Boys races
Group A relays & individual at Portadown pool swim 1 length (33m) instead of the normal 2 lengths (50m)
Backstroke; Breaststroke; Butterfly; Freestyle
Relays are separate for Girls & Boys
Running Order – 64 races – all day to complete:
Medley Relays – Groups A-D Straight Final
Freestyle Relays – Groups A-D Straight Final
Individual heats – Girls; Boys Heats in morning, finals in afternoon
Finals of 4 individual strokes for 6 (8 when hosted at Newry 8 lane pool) fastest across the heats
Reserve List – very important to check as swimmers sometimes drop out of finals = another chance for reserves!
Upcoming Events
15
Dec
Water polo training, Newry
Newry & Mourne Waterpolo Club has invited us to join their training session on Sat 15th Dec for U9 & U13. Girls: 17.30 – 18.30 and boys 18.30 – 19.30. Please register at the club desk this Wed.
This is a novice gala at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin for large pool swimmers aged 7-12 years old. A novice is defined as never having won an individual medal in an Open Competition – this includes Regional/National Schools Competitions. Meet information is attached: 2018 Christmas Cracker Gala
For now a date for all big pool swimmers’ diary – Sat 23rd Feb. PASC will be hosting the Armagh Championships for the final time at Cascades. Next time we’ll be in the new pool at South Lakes. Our swimmers always enjoy this event and we are delighted to be hosting Armagh, Lurgan and Newry back again. That’s been a quick 4 years. We’ll be needing the support of one parent per family and there’s a job for everyone be it practical / admin before / after the event. Please just leave your name at the club desk and any preference. Thanks in advance for your support.
