Nationals 2007 Date Change

[ringer]

Just seen this announcement.
The lack of foresight and notice to all concerned is breathtaking!!!!
Just taking it all in and considering the ramifications!!!!

http://www.sportcentric.com/vmgmt/vfilemgmt/page/filedownload/1,8202,5026-49221-115889-0-file,00.pdf

[Bully]

Thanks Ringer, I recently put the old Nationals info on our club website calendar so wouldn't have picked up on this recent change!!!

[taxi service]

They blithely state that swimmers who have to miss school would have had to miss it anyway - well, Surrey state schools officially finish on 25 July so that does make a difference; in addition some people have already committed to trips and activities with school on those dates. I have no personal interest but there may well be some who are affected.
Forward planning???

[Steve]

Presumably then a small number of swimmers will now find themselves in different age groups as well, since the AAD cut offs have also changed.

[Linny]

Presumably then a small number of swimmers will now find themselves in different age groups as well, since the AAD cut offs have also changed.And in turn, potentially a few who may have aspired to the regional and national development programmes. I can hear Ruthcp and lane4 getting on their horses already.

[ruthcp]

And in turn, potentially a few who may have aspired to the regional and national development programmes. I can hear Ruthcp and lane4 getting on their horses already.

Unless they move it to early June it makes no difference to us as a family - I will however be keen to claim compensation for a non-refundable, non-changeable hotel booking, through the courts if necessary!
Undoubtedly there will be some 'lucky' folk who will become 'unlucky' due to the date change - I can hear their cries of unfairness already!

[Bully]

I can hear their cries of unfairness already!

You've got better hearing than me then, I can't hear a thing?

[chris_lamb]

Undoubtedly there will be some 'lucky' folk who will become 'unlucky' due to the date change - I can hear their cries of unfairness already!

Unless my brain isn't working correctly, swimmers should only be able to move to a younger age group, not to an older age group. So it is only unfair if it means they have to swim against someone who is younger than them and better :)

It should also be the case that qualifying times should get easier not harder so no one who thinks they have already qualified will find themselves not having got the time.

[ringer]

This LEN Invitational Meet must be an enormously important event for the ASA to move heaven and earth to accomodate the British Swimming Elite in this manner. :rolleyes:
Did I read somewhere that it has recently had the programme refined to create a TV friendly programme of short/middle distance only events?

[ruthcp]

And don't you think those who will now be swimming against yet more guys/girls who are almost a year older will feel more aggrieved than they already do?
Merely pointing out what has always been obvious - don't actually care anymore, as I am well aware that at least we have gone to Nationals every year wheras many others still aspire.
We have other options - I feel sad for those who don't.

[Linny]

Unless they move it to early June it makes no difference to us as a family - I will however be keen to claim compensation for a non-refundable, non-changeable hotel booking, throught the courts if necessary!
Undoubtedly there will be some 'lucky' folk who will become 'unlucky' due to the date change - I can hear their cries of unfairness already!I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gone for the cheap shot.

Whilst I am sure it would be well possible for ASA to blame LEN for being so late I think it is a crap decision to affect so many for so few. And I thought this bit In order for our National Championships to be meaningful all our swimmers should compete each year. was really rich!

[ruthcp]

It should also be the case that qualifying times should get easier not harder so no one who thinks they have already qualified will find themselves not having got the time.

Can you explain this to me? My brain definitely doesn't get this!

[chris_lamb]

Can you explain this to me? My brain definitely doesn't get this!

The only people directly affected by the change in qualifying date would be those with a birthday between the old date (29th July) and the new date (26th July). So someone who was born on 27/7/95 would have been 12 under the old date yet only 11 under the new dates.

Assuming qualifying times get faster as you get older someone who achieved the qualifying times in the 12 year old age group would also have achieved the qualifying time for the 11 year old age group.


The only exception to this would be anyone who had qualified for the 12 year old boy 100m events but has now moved to the 11 year old age group and has to qualify for the 200m events to compete in the 100m events.

[Bully]

Can you explain this to me? My brain definitely doesn't get this!

By bringing it foward anyone who had qualified still will, if anything their time will have improved if they are lucky enough to have a dob between (old age end of competition date) and (new age of competition date), I have written this slowly in case it helped, obviously that's why they moved fowards and not backwards which be a totally different matte!!!:thumb:

[lane4]

And in turn, potentially a few who may have aspired to the regional and national development programmes. I can hear Ruthcp and lane4 getting on their horses already.

You're damn right you can! What a sick joke this is. When we don't get the results we hoped for in Melbourne and Beijing we will thoroughly deserve it.

[ruthcp]

By bringing it foward anyone who had qualified still will, if anything their time will have improved if they are lucky enough to have a dob between (old age end of competition date) and (new age of competition date), I have written this slowly in case it helped, obviously that's why they moved fowards and not backwards which be a totally different matte!!!:thumb:

Any reason for your descent into unpleasantness or is the lack of ciggies a good enough excuse in your eyes? :rolleyes:

[Bully]

Any reason for your descent into unpleasantness or is the lack of ciggies a good enough excuse in your eyes? :rolleyes:

It's been 39 hours, and apologies but yes I am feeling a little touchy, but thanks for even thinking their may be a reason and giving me the benefit of the doubt!!!

[ringer]

Whilst I am sure it would be well possible for ASA to blame LEN for being so late I think it is a crap decision to affect so many for so few.

It isn't that LEN have been late, but that BS/ASA have been slow to react to a clash of dates that has been evident for ages.
The date of the Paris event was known to GB a long time ago and in any event at their Technical Committee meeting in April 06. The minutes specifically say no request to change date of the Nationals was then made.

What changed?

[Linny]

It isn't that LEN have been late, but that BS/ASA have been slow to react to a clash of dates that has been evident for ages.
The date of the Paris event was known to GB a long time ago and in any event at their Technical Committee meeting in April 06. The minutes specifically say no request to change date of the Nationals was then made.

What changed?I don't think it was a LEN meet at that time just an FFN one and it was only a couple of weeks ago that the volume of prize money was announced. I assume that is what changed, I'll bow to greater knowledge though, I've only read these things.

[ruthcp]

The only people directly affected by the change in qualifying date would be those with a birthday ............


Thanks - I get it now! :)

[Linny]

The only people directly affected by the change in qualifying date would be those with a birthday between the new date (29th July) and the new date (26th July). So someone who was born on 27/7/95 would have been 12 under the old date yet only 11 under the new dates.Now I'm confused. Ruth I think you should have stuck to your guns, this should surely read, "the only people directly affected by the change in qualifying date would be those with a birthday between the old date (29th July) and the new date (26th July). So someone who was born on 27/7/95 would have been only 11 under the old date yet will be 12 under the new dates." Or am I losing it?

I do hate these age on day discussions, I am very sorry to perpetuate it and I shouldn't have belittled the topic of the thread by referring to Ruthcp and lane4s strong feelings about age on day. I'm going to lie down.

[ruthcp]

Now I'm confused. Ruth I think you should have stuck to your guns, this should surely read, "the only people directly affected by the change in qualifying date would be those with a birthday between the old date (29th July) and the new date (26th July). So someone who was born on 27/7/95 would have been only 11 under the old date yet will be 12 under the new dates." Or am I losing it?

No you haven't lost it! I read it as you've posted it above, although I see now that ChrisL made a slight error - at least I think that's right, otherwise I take it all back and I haven't got it at all!! :p

[ringer]

I don't think it was a LEN meet at that time just an FFN one and it was only a couple of weeks ago that the volume of prize money was announced. I assume that is what changed, I'll bow to greater knowledge though, I've only read these things.

Those adversely affected would support the alterations to the calendar if the changes are necesary or desirable for the greater good (of swimming in the wider context)

It appears however that all the incovenience is for a relatively meaningless TV/money event.

After the hiatus of the rescheduling of the Beijing olympic finals to suit the TV moguls we now have this.
Surely the domestic schedule could have been left as it was; the top Brits could then have chosen between the distinction of competing in the ASA LC National Championships and the lure of the "lucre" !!!

As it stands the EJCs in Belgium now finish on the 22 July and those competitors start their Age Groups at Sheffield the following day
and the EYOFs finish on 27 July(?) in Belgrade with the Youths actually starting that same day!!!!
Coaches and swimmers attending those very important developmental events risk being/will be stranded abroad when Sheffield is up and running.

[ruthcp]

Those adversely affected would support the alterations to the calendar if the changes are necesary or desirable for the greater good (of swimming in the wider context)

It appears however that all the incovenience is for a relatively meaningless TV/money event.



I for one will want to get my share to pay the hotels that cannot be refunded - I wonder how many others have a similar dilemma? :mad:

[chris_lamb]

No you haven't lost it! I read it as you've posted it above, although I see now that ChrisL made a slight error - at least I think that's right, otherwise I take it all back and I haven't got it at all!! :p

I don't think I'm wrong.

On 26th July they will be 11. This is now the qualifying date so they will be in the 11 year old age group.

On 27th July they will be 12.

On 29th July they will still be 12 so would have been in the 12 year old age group based on the previous dates.

[ruthcp]

...So someone who was born on 27/7/95 would have been only 11 under the old date yet will be 12 under the new dates." Or am I losing it?


Under the new date (26thJuly) someone born on the 27th will be 11 at NAGs whereas they would have been just 12 under the old date (29th July) - it's me that's losing it!!!

[ruthcp]

I don't think I'm wrong.

On 26th July they will be 11. This is now the qualifying date so they will be in the 11 year old age group.

On 27th July they will be 12.

On 29th July they will still be 12 so would have been in the 12 year old age group based on the previous dates.

Your error was one of spelling not facts! :king:

[Linny]

Your error was one of spelling not facts! :king:Oh yeah I get it now. Chris you had too many "news" and in trying to get my poor addled brain round that one I completely f*c%ed it up.

[Linny]

Those adversely affected would support the alterations to the calendar if the changes are necesary or desirable for the greater good (of swimming in the wider context)

It appears however that all the incovenience is for a relatively meaningless TV/money event.

After the hiatus of the rescheduling of the Beijing olympic finals to suit the TV moguls we now have this.
Surely the domestic schedule could have been left as it was; the top Brits could then have chosen between the distinction of competing in the ASA LC National Championships and the lure of the "lucre" !!!Other than what has been published in that "A formal request was made" (and it doesn't say who by), I don't know why things were changed do you? As it stands the EJCs in Belgium now finish on the 22 July and those competitors start their Age Groups at Sheffield the following day
and the EYOFs finish on 27 July(?) in Belgrade with the Youths actually starting that same day!!!!
Coaches and swimmers attending those very important developmental events risk being/will be stranded abroad when Sheffield is up and running.You haven't quite got this right in that EJC swimmers are youth swimmers not age groupers so are relatively unaffected. There will be an impact on EYOF swimmers though as you rightly point out. As far as the coaches of these swimmers are concerned, one would like to think that the ASA consulted them or at least consulted the BSCTA prior to making any final decision.

Who's on the ASA technical swimming committee anyway?

[lane4]

As far as the coaches of these swimmers are concerned, one would like to think that the ASA consulted them or at least consulted the BSCTA prior to making any final decision.
I don't know about coaches of specific swimmers but I can tell you that the BSCTA were not consulted prior to the final decision.

[sharkey]

Presumably then a small number of swimmers will now find themselves in different age groups as well, since the AAD cut offs have also changed.

And some at different championships completely! ie Bagcats instead of youth

[Taxiandbank]

It's lucky that we didn't have any domestic championships planned for the 17th December. With the cream of British swimming all competing for their French clubs on that day.

If there is such a demand for a short course meet at this time of year why don't we run the British S.C. in December?

[ringer]

Swimnews reported in December on the Paris Open Meet

http://www.swimnews.com/News/displayStory.jhtml?id=4947

I am to be convinced just how this event could be so important to the development of our Elite Olympic hopefuls to justify the incovenience that has been caused to so many.
After all they are moving on to Paris from the ASA National Championships at which they will have given their greatest effort, won't they???

[ruthcp]

The bit I like in the document produced on the ASA website to explain this says;

"A number of options have been examined but we believe that the following calendar of events will serve the best needs of all our swimmers."

Are you sure it's all and not actually the inconvenience (let alone cost implications) of the many for the few? :rolleyes:

I would be very interested to know if any others (clubs and individuals) paid upfront to get the excellent rates some hotels were offering, which were non-refundable/exchangeable.

[lane4]

It's lucky that we didn't have any domestic championships planned for the 17th December. With the cream of British swimming all competing for their French clubs on that day.
I suppose they felt they were missing out, after all there are plenty others who compete for their Australian school or their American university.

If there is such a demand for a short course meet at this time of year why don't we run the British S.C. in December?
Money apparently, it costs too much too hire the pool.

[Pink Paraffin]

I hear that there's something quite good on the telly sometime during March. Can we move the GB Championships just in case?

[H2o]

Apparently the original request by the performance director was for the Youth to swim before the Bagcats, The National Events committe decided that was a non starter so the next request was to bring it all forward.

There is still a problem for those at the EYO as they still clash by a day meaning they would probably miss the first 2 days of the youth championships.

It has been acknowledeged, though not yet publicly, that the change of dates has inconvenienced thousands for the sake of 15-20 senior swimmers.

The fact that it was brought up at the committee meeting in April 06 when the Paris date was first recognised as maybe clashing with the Nationals only goes to show that the PD was either not there/asleep or couldn't be arsed to consider it at that time- he has since though- perhaps some of his salary could go towards compensating those on non refundable/non changeable hotel bookings. - (Mines £156 please).

Next time I get in a lift with him- he wont know what's about to hit him and it will be far worse than the s££t hitting the fan- trust me on that one!

[Dunc]

It's lucky that we didn't have any domestic championships planned for the 17th December. With the cream of British swimming all competing for their French clubs on that day.

If there is such a demand for a short course meet at this time of year why don't we run the British S.C. in December?
Swam in the same event.

I wouldn't say they were the cream, there were only a handful of British Swimmers in the Interclub final on December 16-17.
Several didn't turn up (e.g. David Davies).

I was impressed, however, with the men’s 10 x 100m relay.

The first 3 teams averaged below 50 seconds.
I think the winner (Clichy) went 8.16, the second team 8.17 or 8.18, and the third went 8.22.
And don’t forget this is just one district, the Ile de France (aka Paris).

[H2o]

BTW

It has been suggested that after taking sooooo many complaints and sooooo many requests for compensation they may like to change the dates back.

Whilst not discarding this suggestion entirely - the events committee do not consider it a viable option as it would leave them with too much egg on their face. All the pools and hotels for those that matter for having already been rearranged.

personally I think it would be the honourable thing to do and show they have learnt to say NO to the PD- but then what do I know..

And did you know British swimming knew about this in early December!!!!

[ruthcp]

BTW

It has been suggested that after taking sooooo many complaints and sooooo many requests for compensation they may like to change the dates back.


And did you know British swimming knew about this in early December!!!!

I would be happy enough with this, but as you say, a large number of folk will now have changed their bookings (those that were able to do so) and may then end up without a room after if they change it back!
I will just wait for my compensation for the 2 rooms for 5 nights. :aarrgghh:

Why does the fact that they knew about it in early December not surprise me? :rolleyes:
Having said that, it would not have made any difference to the situation I (and a vast number of others) am in now! :cry:

[Linny]

Apparently the original request by the performance director was for the Youth to swim before the Bagcats, The National Events committe decided that was a non starter so the next request was to bring it all forward.Didn't it occur to anybody to say no? Or is that not the done thing? Worrying sign that.....:zip:

[chris_lamb]

Didn't it occur to anybody to say no? Or is that not the done thing? Worrying sign that.....:zip:

Of course not - why would they?

I'm surprised to hear this coming from you Linny, I thought you were more sensible :D I'm sure they considered the implications carefully (although perhaps not carefully enough). Indeed you can see from the bottom of the announcement that they had considered previous hotel bookings and even talking to Tourism Sheffield about rearranging bookings.

[Linny]

Of course not - why would they?Because everyone on a committee is there for a reason. When coaches or the NPD or whoever comes to a committee with a proposal that the committee has the authority to say "Yes" or "No" to, it is the responsibility of the people on that committee to act in the best interests of the people that they are there to represent regardless of who is making the request. If the person is the NPD then they should be facilitating him wherever possible, he is after all paid hansomely to guide us, but sometimes these coachy types (as I am sure you are well aware Chris) need to be told to get with the real world.I'm surprised to hear this coming from you Linny, I thought you were more sensible :D I'm sure they considered the implications carefully (although perhaps not carefully enough). Indeed you can see from the bottom of the announcement that they had considered previous hotel bookings and even talking to Tourism Sheffield about rearranging bookings.Flattery will get you nowhere. I'm a princess and I'll say whatever I like.

[ruthcp]

Didn't it occur to anybody to say no? Or is that not the done thing? Worrying sign that.....:zip:

Apparently it is not the done thing at all - after all, it's only a committee. :rolleyes:

Of course not - why would they?

I'm surprised to hear this coming from you Linny, I thought you were more sensible :D I'm sure they considered the implications carefully (although perhaps not carefully enough). Indeed you can see from the bottom of the announcement that they had considered previous hotel bookings and even talking to Tourism Sheffield about rearranging bookings.

Can't imagine why you are surprised - I would be more surprised if Linny didn't see it this way - I cannot for one minute think that putting a few swimmers likely to attend this 'prestigious' meet above the vast number of those who will make age group and youth Nationals was given much thought, and certainly not careful thought.
The more I read the 'document' giving reasons for the change the more I become convinced of this.
After all, wasn't it a few years ago when it was ok for our 'elite' swimmers to be somewhere else for Nationals altogether, but now we get the " in order for our National Championships to be meaningful all our swimmers should compete each year" quote?
And are we likely to be told what all the 'number of options' that were considered are?
I don't even want to go to the is it ok to expect school to be missed point - I thought even the government was trying hard to stop parents from taking kids away during school time, to the extent of talking about imposing fines (though I don't think this is the case at the moment), yet the powers that be at British Swimming consider this not to be a problem (or maybe we should all be sending our kids to private schools if we want to qualify for Nationals :rolleyes: )

In their considered examination of parents who book their rooms in advance (and I'm pretty sure that knowing room rates and how fast rooms get sold out, there can't be many that don't do it in advance), did it ever cross their minds about pre-paid non-refundable/transferable rooms? Did they ask or seek any type of feedback from anyone who is actually the parent of a swimmer?

Chris, if you think that by inserting a little one liner at the end telling people to ring a tourist office in Sheffield or their hotel directly re: hotel bookings is careful consideration, I have to totally disagree with you. I don't know anyone who books via the tourist office - as it is, people at the ASA are the ones having to do the phone calls at the moment - maybe they should have started phoning earlier, considering the fact that they knew about the PD's u-turn in early December - ah yes, but I suppose they had to ring around and make sure their own hotels were sorted out first! :rolleyes:

[Bully]

Schools round here break up on 23rd, so I'm not expecting any fines for little bully missing lessons???

[ruthcp]

Schools round here break up on 23rd, so I'm not expecting any fines for little bully missing lessons???

It's good to know it won't affect you Bully.

Many schools don't break up until the 26th.

[lane4]

...or maybe we should all be sending our kids to private schools if we want to qualify for Nationals
Or relocate to Scotland where it won't be an issue? And I know a great club you could join! ;)

[ruthcp]

Or relocate to Scotland where it won't be an issue? And I know a great club you could join! ;)

I would you know.......!
This school issue will not necessarily affect us but it will be a real concern for a number of other people, one which should really have been given a huge deal more thought and consideration.
The issue of possibly losing quite a bit of money does affect us though, and I do not intend to stand by and do nothing about it. :mad:

[Sassy]

Because everyone on a committee is there for a reason. When coaches or the NPD or whoever comes to a committee with a proposal that the committee has the authority to say "Yes" or "No" to, it is the responsibility of the people on that committee to act in the best interests of the people that they are there to represent regardless of who is making the request. If the person is the NPD then they should be facilitating him wherever possible, he is after all paid hansomely to guide us, but sometimes these coachy types (as I am sure you are well aware Chris) need to be told to get with the real world.

Been on lots of swimming committees (OK not big important ones, just little club ones) but in my experience those who do this do not manage to stay on the committee for very long even at that level!

[wendy]

It's good to know it won't affect you Bully.

Many schools don't break up until the 26th.

But realistically not a huge amount of work goes on during the last couple of days. It's not going to ruin their education or anything.. maybe I'm just to relaxed about this:zip:

[ruthcp]

But realistically not a huge amount of work goes on during the last couple of days. It's not going to ruin their education or anything.. maybe I'm just to relaxed about this:zip:

I think its the principle that's important - I'm sure it may not matter to many people, and maybe one can afford to be relaxed as you say, but hopefully this won't lead to it becoming something that's expected every year merely because it suits a purpose for the very few.

[Taxiandbank]

Swam in the same event.

I wouldn't say they were the cream, there were only a handful of British Swimmers in the Interclub final on December 16-17.
Several didn't turn up (e.g. David Davies).


Davenport, Owen, Tait, Halsall, Dunning, McClatchy, Marshall, Beckett, Mew, Gilchrist, Bowe, Balfour, Brett, Lang, Goddard, Tancock and Purnell, Haywood, Lee, Gilchrist M, Cozens, Foster L, Leith, Smith and Trodden.

Big hands Dunc!
If these aren't some of the cream, we have got no hope at the word champs.

10 x 100 relay splits
10 x 100m Freestyle 8:17.81
2. - Timed final

Split times Reaction time: --.--

Maitre, David 1980 100m 50.05 --.-- 50.05

Sicot, Julien 1978 200m 48.84 1:38.89 1:38.89

Tancock, Liam 1985 300m 48.75 --.-- 2:27.64

Bowe, Matthew 1983 400m 49.30 1:38.05 3:16.94

Lang, Robert 1984 500m 50.42 --.-- 4:07.36

Gilchrist, Kristopher 1983 600m 50.02 1:40.44 4:57.38

Tait, Gregor 1979 700m 49.42 --.-- 5:46.80

Owen, John 1983 800m 50.00 1:39.42 6:36.80

Mew, Darren 1979 900m 51.71 --.-- 7:28.51

Mellouli, Oussama 1984 1000m 49.30 1:41.01 8:17.81

[H2o]

But realistically not a huge amount of work goes on during the last couple of days. It's not going to ruin their education or anything.. maybe I'm just to relaxed about this:zip:

Sorry- disagree with this one.
Our school breaks up on 27 July ( Friday) and they can expect the full school work ethic until at least 26 July when they start to wind down.

Thankfully the school thingy won't affect me and mine.

[Sassy]

Won't affect me either, but I do wonder how the education authorities would react if they knew that a national competition of this scale, specifically aimed at school age children and for many of them the pinnacle of their swimming achievement, was being arranged during school time. If I was them I would want to write in the strongest terms to the sport's governing body. Maybe those of you who are affected might want to give them the opportunity to decide whether they would like to do just this? And maybe the Secretary of State for Education might also have an opinion?

[Taxiandbank]

Won't affect me either, but I do wonder how the education authorities would react if they knew that a national competition of this scale, specifically aimed at school age children and for many of them the pinnacle of their swimming achievement, was being arranged during school time. If I was them I would want to write in the strongest terms to the sport's governing body. Maybe those of you who are affected might want to give them the opportunity to decide whether they would like to do just this? And maybe the Secretary of State for Education might also have an opinion?
But aren't the GB LC/trials for EYOF and EJC in the last week of this term?

[Linny]

Been on lots of swimming committees (OK not big important ones, just little club ones) but in my experience those who do this do not manage to stay on the committee for very long even at that level!Dunno where you've been Sassy but like the inability to say "No", this is a worrying sign...

[Sassy]

But aren't the GB LC/trials for EYOF and EJC in the last week of this term? Haven't even looked at those dates, not involved at that level. Worrying if you're right (and I've no reason to think you're not). Possibly not quite on the scale of summer Nationals, so maybe not so many children affected? Like I say, don't know at that level.
It is all important though, because this is true:

I don't even want to go to the is it ok to expect school to be missed point - I thought even the government was trying hard to stop parents from taking kids away during school time, to the extent of talking about imposing fines (though I don't think this is the case at the moment)

[storpedo]

Thankfully DS is in the Youth this year, as it would have caused a few problems as I work in a school and you are not allowed holidays (they consider you get enough), my husband doesn't drive and DS is the only swimmer at his club to have achieved a national time, so he would not have been able to go until I finished work!!!
Our plans for our summer hols have been put out a bit though we were driving from London to Sheffield for the Nationals and then on the evening of the 5th driving up to Glasgow to fly to Florida on the 6th (it works out £1500 cheaper to fly from Glasgow than to fly from Gatwick!!!) I have had to change the Apartment that we had booked for Nationals to a different one!! with no parking facilities and now will have the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th before driving to Glasgow so me thinks we will now get a coach to sheffield return on the 2nd and then drive to Glasgow on the 5th - that way its not too much driving for me!

[H2o]

Storpedo... see your pm asap please

[wendy]

But aren't the GB LC/trials for EYOF and EJC in the last week of this term?

They are and thats before 'big exams' where you could miss more than sports day etc. But then the year my daughter did her GCSE's she missed 9 weeks of school, thanks to British Swimming. But still managed to organise herself and her studies to gain good grades, most swimmers have the knack of being able to prioritise and organise themselves. I doubt if the parents of Fran Halsall, Jemma Lowe etc worried that much about the time the girls spent in Australia for the Comonwealth Games and various camps just before their GCSE's. As parents we have choices you can make them as hard or easy as you like.

[Dunc]

Davenport, Owen, Tait, Halsall, Dunning, McClatchy, Marshall, Beckett, Mew, Gilchrist, Bowe, Balfour, Brett, Lang, Goddard, Tancock and Purnell, Haywood, Lee, Gilchrist M, Cozens, Foster L, Leith, Smith and Trodden.

Big hands Dunc!
If these aren't some of the cream, we have got no hope at the word champs.

10 x 100 relay splits
10 x 100m Freestyle 8:17.81


Thanks for the relay splits, they were all very impressive.

Apologies for doubting you.
I was only at the final on Saturday to watch the swimming and warm-up for the B gala (held elsewhere with inadequate facilities).

I saw 5 English guys guys in the warm-up pool, Alena Popchenka, and most of the other top French swimmers.
Maybe the missing ones swam later, or on the Sunday (day 2).

[ruthcp]

They are and thats before 'big exams' where you could miss more than sports day etc. But then the year my daughter did her GCSE's she missed 9 weeks of school, thanks to British Swimming. But still managed to organise herself and her studies to gain good grades, most swimmers have the knack of being able to prioritise and organise themselves. I doubt if the parents of Fran Halsall, Jemma Lowe etc worried that much about the time the girls spent in Australia for the Comonwealth Games and various camps just before their GCSE's. As parents we have choices you can make them as hard or easy as you like.

But to force the vast majority of parents into this denotes a total lack of choice in my opinion, at least where the Nationals change of date is concerned and the schooling matter.
I don't think the vast majority, which are being affected by this change, are the same at least in numbers as those swimmers you refer to in your post, aka 'the few'.
I have no doubt that the few benefit and if/when that choice comes along parents will make it - this is a totally different kettle of fish imho.

[lane4]

Thankfully the hotel we are staying at have changed the dates for us without problem. However, they phoned me today worried about the numbers they will have to cater for because the 'rest' day no longer exists. In the past they found that a lot of people stayed over on the last day of the age group section and left on the rest day, the same day most youths/open arrive. This year, now the rest day has gone they don't think they can cope with the numbers if the same happens. The hotel were planning to complain to the ASA about the consequences of what they have done.

[Emosmum]

OOOHH I know a pal of Emos whos 18th is on 29th July! .... They will probably now be at the Nationals for there birthday..... hope the party venue hasnt been booked ... :aarrgghh:

This may cause some serious accomodation probs too for folks ..:banghead:


Emosmum

[ruthcp]

Anyone heard any more about this? Or about the hotels fiasco?
It's all very quiet from the ASA at the moment...........:cry: