With most restrictions across the UK being removed and we are starting to see a small return to competitions for our swimmers, Nottinghamshire ASA have been working behind the scenes to start organising our competitions.
When we were originally told that the restrictions were to be lifted in June this year, we had started planning our Summer Gala in preparation for a return to competitions. However, with the government announcement that the England Lockdown would be extended and this would end just after the date for the Summer Gala, we thought it would be better to play things safe and cancel the competition in full rather than run it under full restrictions.
But, as we are now in our new state of normal, and we now have full guidance on competitions (although this is constantly evolving), Nottinghamshire ASA’s committeess have been meeting to organise the competition calendar for Nottinghamshire for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. We have listened to those clubs that have provided us with feedback, and although there is clearly a need for competitions, most of the comments that we recieved from clubs, and one that the committee agreed with was that we should not look at running any league competitions in 2021. This frees up the calendar for the remainder of the year so that if clubs can and feel safe to do so, then they can run open meets and internal club competitions. Thus hopefully giving essential funds back into clubs, and also getting swimmers times into rankings, that will be vital for entering other upcoming competitions.
Therefore, our leagues committee are working hard on the calendar for 2022, including reviewing how the leagues are structured.
Our swimming committee are in the last stages of finalising the information for the Nottinghamshire Festive Frenzy 2021, which will be held at Harvey Hadden Sports Village on 4th and 5th Decemeber 2021. Full details of this competition, including the opening of entries should be published within the next couple of weeks.
Nottinghamshire’s County Championships are currently in full planning, and we are hoping to have things sorted and atleast the schedule and qualifying times published in early September. The dates for our 2022 county championships are all booked in at Harvey Hadden Sports Village for 15th/16th Jan, 5th/6th Feb and 19th/20th Feb 2022 (with 20th Feb possibly being for Relays).
As soon as we have more information we will publish this for you all. Please keep safe and it will be nice to see you back on poolside over the coming months.
If clubs have got confirmed dates for 2022 for open meets they are hosting, please can you contact David Fortescue so we can get these on the calendar.