We are aware of a lot of feedback around the 2027 County Consideration Times, and that there has been significant change in most events for the top end age groups.
The Board introduced upper age group qualifying times in 2026. However, the 15-year-old to 18-and-over age groups had almost identical qualification criteria, which resulted in significantly higher numbers of swimmers competing in the older age groups. In some cases, the 18-and-over events attracted more than double the numbers seen in other age groups. In addition, the County Qualification Times had not been comprehensively reviewed for several years, so it was considered appropriate to undertake a full review, as had been done before and after the Covid period.
The data that was used with a well-established formula for Nottinghamshire was taken on the 1st June this year, and these consideration times were produced in hope to be published back in the usual time of the year in July. However, due to the Nottinghamshire ASA Board falling below quorate and not being able to carry out operational duties, these times were then delayed coming out.
With this in mind and the lateness of the times coming out, Nottinghamshire ASA have decided to re-look at the upper age group times, in the hope of easing some of them for this year, but a full review will happen again in 2027 in readiness for the 2028 County Championships.
Please bear with us while we relook over the upper age group times, and we hope to get this information back out to clubs by Wednesday 21st October.