Sushi
Championships
SWIMMING CONTESTS IN SCOTLAND
Whilst we’re working with schools across Scotland, we also run championship events for school pupils and qualifying college students. We're working internationally with charities like the ISF to extend our international relationships and highlight healthy, active lifestyles for young people.
Scottish Schools Swimming Championships
The Schools Championships allow pupils at primary and secondary schools an opportunity to represent their school and compete to become the national school champion in a range of age groups and events. Pupils attending certain college courses are also eligible to participate in the 17 and over age group. These championships traditionally take place on the last Saturday in January in one of Scotland’s long course swimming pools.
Scotland is divided into a number of geographical areas to allow a large number of participants throughout Scotland. Each area has the choice of organising time trials or in some of the larger areas school championships. This gives areas the autonomy to choose what fits the specific needs of the many different geographical areas.
A set of qualifying standards are set by the organising committee and each area is allowed to submit a maximum of 3 swimmers per event provided they have acquired the set time. These trials take place between September and December and the finalists are then notified early January. Medals are awarded to the first 3 in each event and there is also an overall top performance award in each boys and girls age group. The award is based on FINA points with points being assigned based on each swimmer’s best time.
Primary schools also have a trophy for the best boys and girls 4 x 50 freestyle relay team.
Images from our Finals and Team Relays
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View images on Flickr
School Team Relay Championships
These championships take place every year in June prior to the end of the school year. The date is not fixed and takes into account the school examination diary to allow pupils to represent their school if possible. It is normally a Wednesday and hopefully is supported by school staff.
This event is primarily about fun and enjoyment as it comprises of teams of 4 racing over 50 metres in both freestyle and medley events. This means each school has a realistic chance of fielding 4 swimmers even although they might have 2 club swimmers who train on a regular basis and perhaps 2 other swimmers who are just naturally good swimmers perhaps interested in other sports.
Swimmers compete in school year groups with a 1st year/2nd year/3rd and 4th year combined / open age group.
All swimmers love to compete in relays and this is an event looked forward to by all. It also has the advantage of being a day off school!! The atmosphere is electric for the finals and it can create some very close , exciting races.
There is an overall trophy for the school gaining most points in all girls events, all boys events and the overall top school.
The International School Sport Federation
Scotland is a member of the International School Sport Federation (ISF). England and Ireland are also members. This means that Scotland can participate as a country in the various ISF events held around the world. There are around 75 member countries, scattered around the world, though with nearly all European nations being members many are relatively close to Scotland for travel purposes.
The ISF stages World Schools Sports Events every two years in range of around 20 sports, including swimming ( ISF Swim Cup). The events are built around individual schools participating as teams over a number of events. Age groups are 15 - 18 years. Participating countries who enter individual school teams – may them enter a select team ( viz. Scottish team). Every four years the ISF stages a Gymnasiade (a multi sport event which usually includes swimming).
It is very important to the ISF - that these world sports events are not just about the sport, but also about education and culture. So, for example, at all ISF events there will be one day of cultural activity, plus one or two events during the week where pupils/students will share various activities – such as selling their own country as a tourist destination. There is now an emphasis around each ISF event to use social media to strengthen the connections with other countries – beyond the actual event. ISF is also building up its communication practices using its website and Facebook in particular – www.isfsports.org.
Membership growth is strong for the ISF, particularly in Asia and South America. A Convention will be held in Doha in March 2015 to explore the future policies and practices of the ISF.
