Swimming New South Wales (SNSW) has announced updates to the event programs for the upcoming 2024 NSW Country Short Course (SC) Championships and 2024 NSW Metropolitan SC Championships. These changes aim to allow broader participation and ensure a more inclusive and fair competition structure for all swimmers.
Key Changes to the Event Schedules:
50m Form Strokes as Age Group Events:
Previously open events, the 50m form strokes are now categorized by age groups, with specific qualifying times and additional medals for each bracket (e.g., 9-10, 11-12). This adjustment allows younger swimmers to participate and aims to increase overall participation. The 100m Individual Medley (IM) has also been adjusted similarly, reflecting a positive step towards inclusivity.
100m Form Strokes Aligned with 50m Events:
To maintain consistency and reduce confusion, the 100m form strokes have been restructured to match the age group categories of the 50m events. This change was implemented based on feedback from previous competitions.
Revised Age Groups for 200m Events:
The 200m events will now commence at age 10 and above, with the following age groups: 10 years, 11-12 years, 13-14 years, 15-16 years, and 17 years & over. This revision provides more opportunities for younger swimmers to compete. Similarly, the 400m events will start at age 11.
Unified Schedule for Country and Metropolitan Events:
Both the NSW Country and NSW Metropolitan schedules now mirror each other. This alignment fosters a more inclusive approach, ensuring equal opportunities for swimmers regardless of their regional or metropolitan affiliations.
SNSW views these updates as positive advancements that enhance participation in a fair and age-appropriate manner. These changes also ensure the health and safety of swimmers, coaches, and volunteers by maintaining a reasonable event duration.
The Competitions Committee remains committed to continuously improving the competitive swimming landscape in New South Wales, making it more accessible and enjoyable for all participants.
