Page 11 - 4SSC Handbook 2018

Open Meets

What are Open Meets?

These are competitions run by other swimming clubs where swimmers enter based on their
previously achieved personal best time for each stroke and distance. The types of Meet vary

according to the capability of the swimmers. The ASA [Amateur Swimming Association, the UKs
governing body, have a licensing system of 4 categories, which has been designed to broaden
the range of competition available to swimmers. Licensed Open Meets are held under ASA Law

and Technical regulations.

The four categories are described in the table in Appendix 1.

How to enter Open Meets
4SSC publish a calendar of events [the latest version is always on the website] that we propose

attending as a club. Depending on the club who is hosting the gala there could be different
approaches to the entry process. Some clubs require a completed “hard copy” entry form, whilst
the majority require a consolidated electronic entry. One of the factors that controls which

approach is used is the software that the host club employ, as there are compatibility issues
between them.

You will usually be informed of a proposed meet by email. The message will inform you how you
should enter, it will usually also include eligibility criteria, which for L3 & L4 meets is often a “not
faster than time” [although some development meets have no restriction], and for L2 & L1 meets

there will be minimum permissible times. Minimum times may also be broken down further, as in
the case of the “Counties”, to “accepted times”, which are automatic entry and “considered times”
which will be reviewed after the closing date and if the race is oversubscribed the host will

“scratch” the slowest swimmers.

When you receive a gala communication you should review the enclosed information, which may
include some, or all, of the following:

 An eligibility report produced by 4SSC
 Host Entry Form(s), sometimes there are separate forms for boys & girls

 Host meet pack, with full details, usually including the Programme of Events
 Meet entry time criteria

All communications will advise you how to enter and the internal closing date. The closing date is
very important as all L3 & L4 meets operate on a “first come, first served” basis, which means that

when they reach capacity no further entries will be allowed. You will usually only be given a
matter of a few days to get your entry back to the Gala Secretary.

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