Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ (frequently asked questions) list covers the most common questions that are asked by members, parents, prospective members and others.
What is the joining process?
To join the club you will need to arrange with the new members’ secretary for an assessment of swimming ability. These usually take place during normal training sessions and will be set up by the new members’ secretary with one of the coaches.
The assessment will determine which of the training squads you will join. The amount of time you have to wait to begin with that squad will depend on availability of places in the squad.
Contact the new members’ secretary by email at newmembers@amershamswimmingclub.co.uk or speak to a club representative at the pool on Sunday evenings.
On joining you will be sent information including a Medical Details Declaration, a copy of which can be downloaded here
How long is the waiting list?
The waiting list will vary depending on the time of year and the number of swimmers already in the squad that your child is waiting for. You will only know which squad your child should go into after the assessment. Ask the membership secretary for details.
Is my child eligible to race in competitions?
ASC is a competitive swimming club, so our aim is to get all members competing at a level that suits their ability. The club championships held in the spring, autumn and winter are open to all club members of all ages and abilities, and we encourage everyone to take part. Look out for information on the notice boards and website as to when these are taking place.
In order to compete, swimmers must have been registered with the ASA – this is part of the membership joining process.
Other competitions such as league galas and open meets may have upper and lower age limits applying and there may be qualifying time entry restrictions which can also be either minimum or maximum entry times.
What does HDW mean?
HDW stands for “Heat Declared Winner” and is a format commonly used in galas and open meets with a large entry list and schedule – this depends on the grade of meet. (Also can apply to longer distance events such as 400, 800, 1500 free and 400IM) For each event (Boys 50m Freestyle for example) heats are arranged with swimmers seeded by their entry times. There may be as many as 10 or more heats of 6 or 8 lanes with all ages groups mixed together. In general the younger swimmers will be in the earlier heats with the ages increasing through the heat list, but as this is based on times not age, it is possible for a child of high ability to be in the same heat as swimmers of 1 or 2 years older.
Once all the heats have been completed, the placings for each age group are calculated from the times recorded. Thus it is possible for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for an age group to go to swimmers who competed in different heats and for a swimmer who placed 6th in his heat to be 1st overall in his age group.
When will my child move up to the next squad?
The coach of each squad will continually assess the progress of the swimmers and when the time is right to move on to the next squad you will be contacted.
As a swimmer ascends the squad structure, the level of commitment expected to be given to training and competition increases. In order to join the next squad above, a swimmer will be expected to demonstrate the required level of commitment during a trial period.
Can I discuss my child’s progress with the coaches?
The coaches will always be happy to answer your questions about your child, but please don’t expect a chat during training sessions when the coaches will be very busy poolside. Arrange a mutually suitable time for your discussion.
How will I know if my child is making progress?
First of all, come in and watch! If you can make the time to stop for a session every now and then, you’ll soon notice the progress your child is making. You’ll also get to know some of the other parents and club officials and helpers.
If you are concerned about progress, then make an arrangement to discuss it with the coach.
How are the fees structured?
The greatest single cost to the club is the hire of the pool for time in the water. This is charged for the number of lanes used and for the amount of time the sessions last. The multi-pool used for the stroke development squads is more expensive per child than the main pool.
The club fees are set proportionately to the number of training sessions per week undertaken by each squad and also the pool that is used.
Who makes decisions about the club?
There is a club committee that makes the decisions that affect the running of the club.
How can I access the club database?
Amersham SC has a dedicated club database for use by and only accessible to registered club members. The database contains swimmers pbs, squad lists and club records. PBs are updated by swimmers or parents. Follow the link on the PB database website to register for a login ID and password. Once you have been sent your ID, you can enter new best times after each event.
The times are used as a swimmers resource to track pbs, and to set seed times for the events at Club Championships. They can also be used by the coaches to assist with team selection.
How do I find out about Galas, Leagues and Open Meets?
The primary sources of information are the club notice board on the main pool balcony, the weekly email bulletins and the club website. The coaches will usually hand out forms for important meets and galas to the squads they expect to enter. The website has a Club Diary with all up-and-coming events listed while team lists and appeals for officials and helpers will always appear on the notice board.
Teams for galas and leagues are generally selected by the coaches and the team sheets will appear on the notice board at the pool a few weeks before the event. You will need to tick your name to indicate if you are available, so please check the notice board regularly
Open meets are entered individually, but entries to the most popular ones are arranged centrally through the club. Information will appear on the website (usually in the Club Diary area) and on the notice board. Many of the meets have limited places and are administered on a first-come first-served basis, so be sure to get your entry in early.
Ask at the pool on a Sunday night to get more information or be steered in the right direction.
To which county do we belong?
At county level we compete within the Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire ASA (BSBASA). The ASA is divided into eight geographical regions. ASC is affiliated to the ASA South East Region (SER).
When are County Championships and how do I enter?
BSBASA county championships are held annually in February and March over a long series of sessions.
This is an ASA licensed (level 2) event and times set at these championships will be valid for entry into national competitions and championships.
Qualifying times are published each year for entry into the events – these can be found on the BSBASA website ( http://www.bsbasa.org ) or linked from the club website. Swimmers must set times and submit entries before the closing date for entries which is usually in January. Entries are managed centrally by the club.
Qualifying times can be set at any club or open event including Club Championships. A set of time trials may be held in December to give swimmers another opportunity to achieve their times.
The club is usually well represented at the county championships and has a good record for swimmers achieving PBs, medals, South East Region (SER) qualifying times, national qualifying times (NQT) and county records at this event.
What are licensed meets?
As a key component of the strategy to provide competition for all, the ASA has implemented a licensing system for competitions of different levels.
Text taken from the “Competition for All” guidelines document on the ASA website.
Level 1
Intended for National Qualification. (Times also accepted for Regional Qualification) A minimum standard of entry must be published. This will vary from meet to meet and will be influenced by many matters including the length of the pool, time of year, standard of swimmer normally attracted to the meet and the number of meets within the immediate area. These meets are intended to be the 'Premier' Meets within the calendar and are expected to provide 'Swim Down' Facilities and results sheets should show splits.
All officials must be registered for the duty in which they are used, and be offered expenses. A levy of 25p per accepted entry shall be paid to the Region Licensing the meet. Pool must be either 25m or 50m long.
Level 2
Intended for Regional Qualification (Times swum can be used for entry into National Competitions). These meets must have an advertised upper and lower qualifying time for each event. These times will also be influenced by many of the factors above.
All officials must be registered, and offered expenses, with at least one official acting as a referee holding a refereeing qualification. A levy of 25p per accepted entry shall be paid to the Region Licensing the meet. (Swimmers who achieve a National Qualifying Time at a level two meet may use that time for entry into National Championships.) Pool must be 25m or 50m long.
Level 3
'B' & 'C' Grade Meets. These meets must have an advertised upper and lower qualifying time and are intended for those swimmers wishing to achieve a county qualifying time, and not catered for at Levels One & Two. Times achieved at these meets will be accepted for Regional Qualification.
All officials must be registered, with the minimum qualification of Judge being held by the official acting as a referee. A levy of 10p per accepted entry shall be paid to the Region Licensing the meet. Pools must be of a length which can be interpreted through the use of ASA Equivalent Performance Tables.
Level 4
Intended for club swimmers and those beginning to enter individual open competition. These meets must have an advertised upper qualifying time. Electronic timing is not compulsory, although preferred. Times achieved at these meets may be used for entry into meets at level's two and three and into County Championships.
All officials must be registered, with the minimum qualification of Judge being held by the official acting as a referee. A levy of £25 per year shall be paid to the Region Licensing the meet. Pools must be of a length which can be interpreted through the use of ASA Equivalent Performance Tables.
 |
 |