SUNDAYS WELL SWIMMING CLUB
Competitive swimming in Munster and Ireland is organised such that, in the early stages of competition, a swimmer competes against those of a similar ability within age groups (Under 11, 13, 15). These are Graded competitions, namely Grades C, B, and A, grade A being the fastest.
First competition experience is at local club and schools galas and at Graded C level galas. There is currently no set qualifying criteria for Grade C competitions other than the common sense criteria that the swimmer is able to complete the events in a reasonable time and within the rules of the event. At Grade C meets, a swimmer must compete in at least 2 events, these being the 100m Freestyle and the 100m Individual Medley and may swim up to 2 more of the remaining events: 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke and 50m Butterfly. Should any Grade C swimmer meet the qualifying criteria for Grade B, then they are no longer eligible to compete at Grade C meets.
At Grade B meets, swimmers must compete in at least 3 events, one of which must be the 200m Freestyle. The other events are all 100m of Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley. Again, any swimmer meeting the qualifying criteria for Grade A can no longer compete at Grade B meets.
The Graded competition structure provides competition for swimmers of similar abilities. The standards set for such grades are irrespective of age (although swimmers compete within age groups in such competitions).
Progression beyond the graded structure, leading to Regional and National competition is via the Divisional structure, whereby swimmers' abilities are classified by standards which are age specific i.e. Divisions 1 & 2. Qualification for these divisions require achievement of any one event qualification time for the swimmer's age group.
Further progression leads to National Regional Standards and Squads, Team Ireland Elite and Team 2012 Squad selection.