Your Guide to Competitions
Everything you need to know about the official competitive pathway.
All official competitions are licensed by Swim England to ensure fair standards. This guide explains the different levels of meets our swimmers work towards.
🏊 Age 9: Can enter official licensed open meets.
⏱️ Age 8: Can race at internal Club Championships (Level 4).
The Four Levels of Licensed Meets
Level 4
The perfect starting point for new swimmers seeking times.
- 🎯 Purpose: First official race times
- 🏊 Pool: 25m or 50m
- 💡 Info: Includes internal Club Champs.
Level 3
The most common "Open Meets" for us to attend.
- 🎯 Purpose: Qualifying times
- 🏊 Pool: 25m or 50m
- 💡 Info: Have "Upper Qualifying Times" (speed limits).
Level 2
Higher-level competition aimed at National times.
- 🎯 Purpose: Winter Championships target
- 🏊 Pool: Strictly 25m
- 💡 Info: Fast, competitive environments.
Level 1
The highest domestic level of swim meet.
- 🎯 Purpose: Regional & National
- 🏊 Pool: Strictly 50m
- 💡 Info: British Summer Champs level.
Team Galas & The Cotswold League
It's not all about individual times! Team Galas are an exciting part of competitive swimming where athletes race to score points for AST rather than just chasing personal bests. These events are known for their loud, supportive, and incredibly fun atmosphere, bringing true team spirit to the pool.
AST is proud to compete in the Cotswold League. As a beacon of competitive swimming excellence, it unites clubs from across the region in a display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship. The league provides a fantastic platform for our swimmers to challenge themselves, break records, and forge lasting friendships.
Parents can find league tables, participating teams, and round information below:
Visit The Cotswold League Website →