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 12 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 can be used to enter the Regional Age Group and Senior LC Championships
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.
Super Series
Female athletes must be at least 13 years and Male athletes must be at least 14 years of age to compete at these meets. Members of the National Squad/Programme will compete at these meets and may compete in any event. Consideration Times for all events will be published and athletes (not on National Squad/Programme) may only enter the events in which they achieve the published standards. In events where such athletes do not have the Consideration Time, they may compete in these events in the Aspiring Champions Series. Times achieved can be used to enter the Regional Championships, McCullagh International Meet, Irish Open Championships 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 Standards for all events
Regional Championships
Regional SC Championships:
Age Groups: Male 16 & Under, 17 & Over: Female 15 & Under, 16 & 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 SC Championships 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 National Division 2 Competition or the Irish Summer Nationals
Qualification standard: Qualifying and Consideration Times
National Championships
Irish National SC Championships:
Age Groups: Male 13-16, 17 & Over: Female 13-15, 16 & 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 Long Course 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 (fastest qualifiers irrespective of age) in 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:
Male 13-16, 17/18, 19 & Over: Female 13-15, 16/17, 18 & 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. Qualifying times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. Open and Junior (Male 18 & Under, Female 17 & Under) finals in all individual events with the exception of 800m and 1500m events, which will be Heat Declared Winner events.
Qualification standard: Qualifying Times
Irish National Division 2 Competition:
Age Groups: 12, 13, 14, 15 & Over Athletes must be at least 12 years of age to enter this meet. This meet will be held as a SC meet. Short Course and Long Course 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. Qualifying and Cut Off times in each age group. The cut off time will be the Qualifying Time for the Irish Summer Nationals. Finals will be held in each defined age group in all individual events with the exception of 800m and 1500m which will be Heat Declared Winner events.
Qualification standard: Qualifying and Cut Off Times
Irish Summer Nationals:
Age Groups: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & Over 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. Qualifying times must have been achieved as per the meet conditions. Finals will be held in each defined age group in all individual events with the exception of 800m and 1500m which will be heat declared winner. Athletes who have only qualified for one event in this competition may also compete in the Irish National Division 2 Competition (but not in the event in which they have achieved the Irish Summer Nationals Qualifying time).
Qualification standard: Qualifying Times
