Event Guide

This guide is intended to help those of you who are either completely new to club swimming or have not been involved for some years understand the varied ways your child can enjoy swimming at a modern swimming club.

These notes are not meant to "tell" you what will happen to your kids. Your family swimming trips to Brierley Hill A.S.C. may be just to ensure your children learn to swim and gain the confidence that comes with the ability to swim. However, if a talent for competitive swimming is there we will with your blessing, encourage your child to realise that talent.

Time Trials
Usually for 8 - 11 years old and held over 25m & 50m. Of course no swimmer has to take part in any such time trial if they do not want to, but they will give their teachers and coaches an idea of how progress is being made.

Friendly Swimming Galas
This is most swimmers first experience of inter club swimming. These events are arranged under the laws of racing but are used by clubs to introduce the young and inexperienced to competitive swimming. You can expect to be asked to take part in the friendly galas from the age of nine.

B Squad Galas and Relay Galas.
These are events used by swimming clubs to introduce new and inexperienced swimmers to the fun of competition. Most clubs would not use all new swimmers but will use some of the more advanced to help newcomers.

Diddy League Galas
The Diddy League is a very popular junior swimming league organised on a division basis for the younger swimmer. 9, 10, 11 & 12 year olds take part in  individual or relay races of various distances depending on age.

Staffs County League
Brierley Hill is affiliated to Staffordshire ASA and runs a team in the Staffs league. Age groups are 9 years & under, 11 years & under, 13 years & under, 15 years & under and Open (swimmers over 16 years old). All Staffs League swims are 50m and comprise of individual stroke swims and mixed sex relays.

Speedo League
This is the big one. Organised on a regional basis the winners from the regions go forward to take part in a final to decide the National Champions. Age groups are the same as Staffs League, but distances for swimmers over 13 years are 100m which is a much tougher task.

Brierley Hill Club Championships
Held annually they are the highlight of the club year, covering all age groups from 8 years up with a special "penguins" race over 1 width for the new swimmers of tender years. We also have a  1 length Moms and Dads race for the brave parents amongst you. Medal presentations are made on the night, with individual trophies being presented at the Christmas presentation disco (don't miss this one).

Open Meets
Brierley Hill stage 2 open meets each year, a 2 day licensed Open and a 1 day Junior Open (the Black Country Open Meet). An open meet is open to entries from any A.S.A. registered swimmer from anywhere in the country, and are a great opportunity to gauge your individual progress against others. They are also an important source of income to the club. Without which an outfit the size of Brierley Hill could not hope to offer the full training program that we do.

Staffordshire County Championships
Again held annually and very similar to an open meet they are open only to members of a Staffs affiliated swimming club. The championships are held at Wolverhampton Central Baths in March. Get your entry forms from your coaches in January.