Your First Gala?
If it is your first gala, don’t worry or panic. The Coaches will be there to guide you though the day and help you all they can. If you have any problems – just ask.
It is a good idea to have packed your bag the night before, with everything you might need. Here is a checklist, which should be useful to you. Please don’t pack glass bottles or any other breakable items.
Swimmers should have EVERYTHING they need for the session in a bag on poolside with them
At least two swimming costumes/pairs of jammers
Goggles (plus a spare pair)
Club hat. A Fishguard Flyers hat should always be worn during races when representing Fishguard
2 towels
Deck/pool shoes to wear at all times for safety reasons
Clothes to keep warm on the poolside – hat, extra tee-shirt, tracksuit etc
Food of sufficient quantity to last the day
Snack food with lots of carbohydrates and low in fat
Drink in a suitable container – at least two litres (preferably water) – for a whole day
Money in case of emergency
Entertainment – Music – I-Pod – (to help relax or psych you up), reading book, games console, pen and paper or other pastime. Please note that all items are brought at your own risk. Some poolsides are very wet, eg. Llanelli, and are not suitable for electronics
Your winning /swimming face
Note: Please ensure that your name is on all items
Arrival At A Swimming Gala
When you arrive at a swimming pool for a gala, make sure you do so in plenty of time (ideally 30 minutes before your warm-up time). Report to the Coach that you have arrived. It is important that your Coach sees you before the time that you have been told to attend.
Check Out The Pool
Check out the pool complex layout and familiarise yourself with the important places you will need to go during the day. For example, toilets, marshalling area, changing rooms, cafe, etc.
Who’s Who?
The Coach will brief swimmers before their race, watch the race, record split times and give feedback afterwards. They will also advise swimmers when to warm up, when to go to marshalling and when to warm down and eat. The Coach will be in charge of the team and will ensure that everyone knows what they are doing.
Warm Ups
Check which warm up you are in and be on time for it. When you warm up make sure you get the most out of it. Don’t stop and talk to your friends as you will have plenty of time to do this throughout the day. Your Coach will tell you what warm up to do. You must keep going and warm up your muscles properly to avoid injury. All swimmers should do warm ups and perform stretches as guided by the Coach, they will advise swimmers which lane to use – swimmers should stay in the lane allocated.
Cheering For Others
Do not expect others to cheer for you if you do not cheer for them. We all like to be encouraged, but recognise that individuals may do this in different ways. At busy meets swimmers may need time out to prepare for their own race mentally, but should support their friends. With a smaller team it is good for all the swimmers to support each other. There is nothing better to improve your performance than seeing others do well. Don’t just sit down and stare into space – enjoy yourself!
Where Should You Be?
Swimmers are expected to sit with the team and NOT with parents in the spectator area. Please don’t wander off without speaking to the Coach first – ask before going to the toilet or changing rooms. Swimmers should not wander off to talk to parents during a session unless given permission by the Coach. The Coach is responsible for you at a swimming gala, so you must not leave the building without permission. After your last race in a session, you may be given permission to go join your parents and take a break. But, it is good to cheer for others from your Club.
Good Behaviour
When you are representing the club, or training with the club, you are expected to behave properly. Please make sure you are familiar with the code of conduct. This applies to all representatives of the club – swimmers, volunteers and parents.
Parents
Please could parents help the Coaches by taking note of the following:
Parents are not allowed on poolside at ANY time during a competition
Parents should not approach the Coach during a session – but may have opportunity to speak to them at a later stage
Parents should not approach officials or meet organisers, or enter the meet office, at any time. All queries/issues should be directed to the Coach who is authorised to deal with these situations
Parents are asked to sit in the spectator area (at least half way up at open access pools such as WNP and Cardiff International)
Parents are asked to ensure that swimmers arrive and are ready well in advance of all warm ups
Parents are asked to ensure that swimmers have all the correct equipment for each session, including a club hat
Parents are reminded that the use of inappropriate or abusive language, bullying, harassment, discrimination or physical violence by swimmers or parents will not be tolerated at any meet
Sanctions
Coaches reserve the right to withdraw swimmers from all remaining events at a meet (without refund) should either the swimmer or parents not cooperate with the guidelines above. Persistent failure to comply, or serious incidents, will result in disciplinary procedure.