This is often the first time swimmers experience competitive swimming, but not always.
The focus on these Team based competitions is FUN. They are an introduction to competitive swimming, teamwork and generally enjoying the sport of swimming. If swimmers have the option of travelling on the Team bus then that’s all part of the fun, and the build up to the event.
Although it is nice to win, winning is not the focus. Points are awarded to the teams so if your swimmer or Team finish first in a six lane event you score 6 points, second 5 points, third 4 points, etc. Parents, whether you like it or not, I know from experience that you will be watching and writing down all the Team scores to try and predict the results. It’s addictive, it’s fun, it’s loud and the kids love it!
There are generally 3 or 4 heats that the Team participates in and then a final for the top 6 scoring teams.
The league has divisions and teams can move up or down through the divisions depending upon where they finish in the league.
In this level of competition individual swim times are not recorded so these do not count towards personal best times, although they do give coaches an indication on how swimmers could perform at a licenced meet.
