Competitions

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS. Each year we hold our own Club Championships, which culminate in a finals gala at Normanton. This takes place in November and is open to every member of the club who has been with us from 1st September of that year. Distance events are held slightly earlier in the autumn. Events are divided into age groups and trophies and medals are presented at our annual presentation evening in December. This may well be a swimmer's first taste of competitive swimming and prepares them for the other galas.

INTER-CLUB GALAS. These are galas where the Club competes against other clubs in local pools. These include regular galas held by Kirklees & District ASA (at Spenborough pool) and Airedale & Wharfedale District ASA at the Aireborough pool in Guiseley. We are also affiliated to the Bradford & District ASA but have not taken part in their events in 2006 or 2007. These galas are attended by a large proportion of our swimmers, have no qualifying times, and include individual and team events.

SWIM LEAGUES. We currently swim in two leagues - the Barnsley Minors league and the Pocklington Times league. Each has (normally) four events through the year, one of which is hosted by ourselves at Normanton. Swimmers are chosen for these events in the age groups and subject to the rules of each competition - for instance swimmers who have reached Yorkshire Finals in 50m or 100m events are not allowed to swim in the Barnsley Minors teams in those events. These are a perfect opportunity for swimmers to get to know each other in a team environment and to support each other.

LICENSED and GRADED MEETS.  There are many other galas that we attend during the year (see the Club Calendar on this website) and we try to choose a selection that will meet all of our swimmers' abilities across the squads. Information on forthcoming competitions, suitability, entry qualification times and how to enter will appear on this website. License 1 meets are the highest level, with fastest qualifying times, License 2 and 3 are equivalent to old graded (B and C grade) meets. For these, swimmers will often have to have NOT swum faster than a qualifying time to be allowed to enter.

YORKSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS (County). One of the club's main aims is to produce swimmers who achieve qualifying times for their age group in the Yorkshire Swimming Associations Age Group (BAGCATS) and Junior/Senior championships. These are held in February and March across a full range of strokes and distances. Swimmers can only be entered when they have achieved the appropriate qualifying times. A second event is held in October (the Winter championships) over a relatively small range of events typically 100m races and 200m medley events.

REGIONAL (ASA NORTH EAST REGION or ASANER) CHAMPIONSHIPS. The championships are the next level up from the Yorkshire championships and the qualifying times are faster. These cover clubs from all over Yorkshire and the North East but are normally held in Sheffield or Leeds. Qualifying times for these events have to be achieved in an official licensed meet in the six months prior to the events which are normally held in May and June (Junior/Senior and BAGCATS).

NATIONAL AGE GROUPS and YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS. National Age Groups are exactly what they say - these championships attract the very top swimmers in the country who make the very tough qualifying times. They are normally held in July - often at Sheffield. As a club we have had a small number of representatives achieve these times and represent the club in these championships, including Sophie Smith, Chloe Bracewell and Ian Perrell. Darcy Allison has joined that list in 2008.