For those who aren't aware, an Open Meet is a non-team competition hosted by a Club e.g. Worcester that is "open" to swimmers from any other club to enter.

Open Meets are typically "graded" with qualifying times i.e. swimmers having to meet a minimum standard (faster than time X) while sometimes the ability of swimmers is restricted to a maximum standard too (no faster than time Y).

There will be wide range of events from e.g. 50m Freestyle to 400m Individual Medley with swimmers not limited to how many races they may enter.  This is what makes Open Meets so popular as they provide an excellent opportunity to swim lots of races - whereas at a normal gala, you may just get two or three 25m/50m/100m swims for the team.

Although swimmers are very welcome to enter as many Open Meets as they want (NB Club competitions always take priority), I would urge a little caution and not do too many.  Also, as they are usually over a whole day - or even a weekend - Open Meets are much more fun with a large squad of swimmers there to support each other (and bring the Coach coffee!?).

To this end, I will nominate a number of Open Meets each year that will be "Club events" i.e. we will look to take lots of swimmers, entries will be handled by the Club (thanks to Lizzie Monkhouse), there will be coaching staff there, etc.  All other Open Meets will need to be organised by swimmers & parents themselves - though I am always happy to provide advice.

The target Open Meets for the first 6 months of 2010 are....

Gloucester - Saturday 8^th & Sunday 9^th May

Ages 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Open - all events except 800/1500m F/C

Level 2 so suitable for most Club swimmers - though please note that Sat 8^th is Round 2 of National Junior League so any swimmers aged 12/U (as at 11/9/2010) who wish to enter this Open Meet will still be expected to represent the Club in the league gala that night and may therefore have to miss session 3 (Sat pm)

This will be "target" meet for Age Group swimmers chasing Midland Qualifying Times (last chance before cut off) and for Youth swimmers to "back up" at a short course event after long course Midlands the week before

Stourbridge Junior "B" Grade - Sunday 23^rd May @ Wolverhampto

Ages 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 - 50m sprints and 100m IM

Level 3 so suitable for most Club swimmers (excluding those with Midland/National Qualifying Times)

Sheffield "No Frills" - Friday 28^th, Saturday 29^th & Sunday 30^th May

Level 1 Long Course Meet - suitable for swimmers with Midland Qualifying Times, especially those chasing National Qualifying Times

Boldmere "Water Carnival" - Saturday 3^rd & Sunday 4^th July @ Stetchford

Ages 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Open - all events except 400 IM and 800/1500m F/C

Level 3 so suitable for most Club swimmers

Excellent "end of season" meet for those not competing at Nationals

I hope all this makes sense but as always if you have any queries, please feel free to speak to me.  In the interim, please keep an eye on the notice board both for details re how to enter (this usually has to be done 6 or more weeks in advance) and for info on what other Open Meets we will be going to as a Club.

Many thanks.

Mark Stowe

Head Coach

NB any Youth swimmers chasing Midland QT's will have only a very limited window after County Champs where cut off is 6^th April.  To that end, you should look to selectively enter events at a suitable Open Meet e.g. City of Birmingham (closing date 1^st March) or Weston-super-Mare (closing date 26^th Feb) over the Easter weekend - but please talk to me/Lizzie first as I would prefer all swimmers to target the same Meet please