Gala Types Explained
Intra-Club GALAs:
INTRA club Galas take place within one club, with athletes competing amongst and against members of their own club These GALAS are for athletes aged from 7 upwards (age on day or year of birth). These Galas are an introduction to competition and the emphasis should be on FUN. Athletes may receive a participation ribbon/certificate etc.
Qualification standard: None
Inter-Club GALAs:
INTER club Galas take place for more than one club competing against each other These GALAS are for athletes aged from 8 upwards (age on day or year of birth). These Galas are an introduction to competition and the emphasis should be on FUN. Athletes race for team points rather than personal awards, with an overall award presented to the Top Club or similar. Athletes may receive a participation ribbon/certificate etc.
Qualification standard: None
Club Invitational/Open Meets:
Athletes must be at least 9 years of age to compete in these meets. Times achieved can be used to enter the Regional Championships, Irish National Division 2 Competition and Irish Summer Nationals, subject to them meeting specific meet licence conditions and provided they are held within the qualification period for each respective meet and in the required pool format (SC or LC)
Qualification standard: Defined by club – Consideration Times are recommended to allow clubs to keep within their session time limits
Skills Challenge (In-house)
Athletes must be aged 8 to 12 years in the year that the season starts i.e. in the 2021-2022 season, athletes born 2013 to 2009. These in-house assessments will provide feedback to young athletes and monitor progression in stroke efficiency, kick speed, underwater kick speed, turn speed and streamlining skills
Qualification standard: None
Future Challenger Series:
Athletes must be aged 10 to 14 years of age to compete at these meets. There will be no qualifying times in place to enter and times achieved by athletes aged 12 years and over can be used to enter the Regional Age Group and Senior LC Championships provided they are held within the qualification period
Qualification standard: None
Aspiring Champions Series:
Athletes must be at least 13 years of age to compete at these meets. National Squad/Programme athletes will not be permitted to swim in these meets. Times achieved can be used to enter the Regional Championships, Irish National Division 2 Competition and Irish Summer Nationals provided they are held within the qualification period for each respective meet and in the required pool format (SC or LC)
Qualification standard: Consideration Times for events 400m and above. Upper Cut Off Times for all events.
Regional Championships
Regional SC Championships:
Age Groups: Male and Female 13-16, 17/18, 19 & Over
Athletes must be at least 13 years of age. Short Course times or Long Course conversions achieved in any Level 3 licensed onshore or similarly licensed offshore meet can be used for entry. Qualifying or Consideration Times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. One Open Final or “A” and “B” Open Finals ONLY (with the fastest qualifiers irrespective of age). Times achieved can be used to enter the Irish National Winter Championships (25m) and the McCullagh International Meet.
Qualification standard: Qualifying and Consideration Times
Regional Age Group and Senior LC Championships:
Age Groups: 12, 13/14, 15/16, 17 & Over
Athletes must be at least 12 years of age to enter this meet. Long Course times or Short Course conversions achieved in any Level 3 licensed onshore or similarly licensed offshore meet can be used for entry. Qualifying or Consideration Times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. Finals in each defined age group for all individual events with the exception of 400m, 800m and 1500m events, which will be Heat Declared Winner events. Times achieved can be used to enter the Irish Summer National Age Group Championships and Irish Summer National Youth & Senior Championships.
Qualification standard: Qualifying and Consideration Times
National Championships
Irish National Winter Championships (25m):
Age Groups: Male and Female 13-16, 17/18, 19 & Over
Age groups are for meet qualification purposes only. Athletes must be at least 13 years of age to enter this meet. Short Course and Hytek converted Long Course times achieved in any Level 3 licensed onshore or similarly licensed offshore meet can be used for entry. Consideration Times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ finals according to the meet conditionsin all events with the exception of 800m and 1500m events, which will be Heat Declared Winner events.
Qualification standard: Qualifying Times
Irish Open Championships: Age Groups:
Age Groups: 13-16, 17/18, 19 & Over
Age groups are for meet qualification purposes only. Athletes must be at least 13 years of age to enter this meet. ONLY Long Course Times achieved in any Level 3 licensed onshore or similarly licensed offshore meet can be used for entry. SC times or SC conversions will NOT be accepted. Consideration times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. A range of Open and Junior (18 & under) finals will be offered according to the meet conditions.
Qualification standard: Qualifying Times
Irish Summer National Age Group Championships (50m):
Age Groups: 12, 13, 14 years
Athletes must be at least 12 years of age to enter this meet. This meet will be held as a LC meet. Long Course Qualification and Consideration Times and Short Course Consideration Times achieved in any Level 3 licensed onshore or similarly licensed offshore meet can be used for entry. Qualifying times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. “A” and “B” finals will be held in each defined age group in 50m, 100m and 200m events. “B” Finals will only take place in events where 21 or more athletes compete in the heats. Only “A” Finals will be run in the 400m events and 800m and 1500m events will be Heat Declared Winner events.
Qualification standard: Qualifying and Consideration Times
Irish Summer National Youth & Senior Championships (50m):
Age Groups: Male 15, 16, 17/18, 19 & over: Female 15, 16/17, 18 & over
Athletes must be at least 15 years of age to enter this meet. This meet will be held as a LC meet. ONLY Long Course Qualification and Consideration Times achieved in any Level 3 licensed onshore or similarly licensed offshore meet can be used for entry. SC times or SC conversions will NOT be accepted. Qualifying times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. “A” and “B” finals will be held in each defined age group in 50m, 100m and 200m events. “B” Finals will only take place in events where 21 or more athletes compete in the heats. Only “A” Finals will be run in the 400m events and 800m and 1500m events will be Heat Declared Winner events.
Qualification standard: Qualifying & Consideration Times
