About Team Selection
| We often receive queries about how a
team is selected for a gala and why some individuals do not
appear on it. We aim to give the opportunity to compete in galas to all children who wish to do so. The teams selected will often be made up of members with different experiences and skill levels, balanced according to the nature of the event. In B and C grade galas, where there is a speed limit, we will try and choose those under that speed limit. This may mean a swimmer being selected to swim their weakest stroke. Swimmers should also be encouraged to attend time trials, so that their PB record accurately reflects their current ability. If a swimmer is selected for a gala, he or she should ensure that they confirm their availability as soon as possible and honour that commitment. Galas are team events and last minute dropouts cause problems for the coaches and let the team down if a replacement cannot be found in time. Non-selection for a particular event should not be seen in a negative light by any club member. It is simply giving a swimming opportunity to a fellow club member. There is an encouraging pool of swimmers who like to compete. Each swimmer is as important as the next. No coach choosing a team has any idea which swimmers will actually be available on the day. A swimmer may be asked if somebody else whose turn it is cannot swim that day. No swimmer should regard themselves as second best just because their name is not on the first list to be displayed. We would ask that all parents convey this to their children. One other small point � we all have off days, we all make mistakes. Inevitably, team members do too. Swimmers should rejoice in their successes but not punish themselves for those odd errors � work on any problems in training afterwards. To help our home galas and time trials to run smoothly, we always need volunteers to help. Parents, please let us know if you would be available to share the load, whether or not your child is a team member.
Team Selectors |