Section 5.14 – Swimming and Diving State Championship Rules: boys and girls
Amended 2022
5.14.1 Refer to General State Championship Rules.
5.14.2 Entries
(a) Each Association may nominate three (3) competitors per event. The maximum number of entries per Association team for the Multi Class events at the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships be three (3) per event. These entries must be submitted with the able bodied entries.
(b) Should there be a desire for additional entries, the special circumstances are to be stated when lodging entries.
(c) Substitutes may be allowed by the Championship Director at the recommendation of the relevant Sport Coordination Officer or Team Manager prior to the commencement of the championship.
(d) Entries are to be forwarded to the Swimming Convener or their delegate by the closing date.
(e) Swimmers in Multi-class events
Each swimmer in Multi-class events must have current classification documentation (national, provisional or review status) for their disability category.
The verification of classifications will be done against the Swimming Australia National Classification Masterlist and in conjunction with Paralympics Australia, Sports Inclusion Australia, Transplant Australia and Deaf Sports Australia.
Swimmers who do not have a classification prior to competition and fail to meet this requirement will be ineligible to compete at the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships.
All Intellectual and Hearing classifications should be completed prior to the state championships. Physical Impairment classifications requiring
review will be conducted at the state championships (if classifiers
available). Should a swimmer’s classification be deemed ineligible at this time, he/she can still participate, but receives no percentages, and will not be eligible for placings, medals, records or team selection.
If a swimmer’s classification changes during the championship, as a result of a classification review, the new classification will be used
from that point in time for all future events being contested. If an
event has already been completed, the former classification will be
used to determine its results, placings and team selection.
Classification for Swimmers in Multi-class events is done by specific governing bodies. The classification categories and governing bodies are as follows:
|
Classification for Swimmers in Multi-class events |
|
|
Classification category |
Governing body |
|
Intellectual |
Sport Inclusion Australia |
|
Physical |
Swimming Australia |
|
Vision |
Paralympics Australia |
|
Transplant |
Transplant Australia |
|
Hearing |
Deaf Sports Australia |
5.14.3 Program of events
The following individual events will be conducted:
All age 100 metre freestyle
50 metre freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly
200 metre individual medley
In the 100 metre freestyle and 50 metre events, heats will be conducted in the morning session and finals in the afternoon session. Heats of the individual medley will be conducted on Day 1 and Finals on Day 2.
The following events will be held for multi-class competitors:
50 metre freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly.
These events will be conducted in junior (8-10 years) and senior (11-13 years) divisions for boys and girls. These events will be multi-class timed finals with one event conducted in each session of the program.
Open MC 100 metre Freestyle.
This event will be conducted as an Open division for boys and an Open division for girls.
5.14.4 Qualifying times
Shall be issued by the convener each year.
5.14.5 Sections
The meet shall be conducted in sections for boys and sections for girls. The exception is the small schools relay, which is open to any pupil in that school.
5.14.6 Age groups
(a) Individual 50 metres freestyle events
8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, 13 years.
(b) Form stroke 50 metre events
Junior: (8 years, 9 years, 10 years); 11 years; 12/13 years
(c) All age events
100 metres freestyle. (8 years to 13 years.
(d) Medley events
Junior 200 metres individual medley 8 -10 years. Boys and girls
Senior 200 metres individual medley 11- 13 years. Boys and girls
A competitor whose significant birthday occurs during the current year is eligible for that age event only. No competitor shall compete in more than one division except for all age events.
5.14.7 Relays
(a) The following 4 x 50 metre Freestyle relay events shall be held:
Junior boys
Junior girls
Senior boys
Senior girls
The Earl McGee Small Schools Relay
The Peter Dobson Schools Relay (association teams only)
Boys all age 5 x 50 m freestyle relay (association teams only)
Girls all age 5 x 50 m freestyle relay (association teams only)
(b) In each school based relay event a school may enter one team.
(c) Age groups for relays shall be:
(i) Senior – 11 years, 12 years, 13 years.
(ii) Junior – 8 years, 9 years, 10 years.
(iii) An Association may nominate a composite team in the boys and/or girls relays. A composite team may be entered from a Zone providing the total enrolment of the schools involved does not exceed two hundred and fifty (250) (K-6) pupils.
(iv) The Earl McGee Trophy
The Earl McGee Small Schools Relay is for teams of students from schools with a total school enrolment not exceeding twenty five (25). The combination of boys and girls in each team is to be decided by the individual school but all students must be enrolled in the same school.
The classification of the enrolment will be determined by the February Staff Return.
(v) The Peter Dobson Trophy
The Peter Dobson Relay is for teams of students from schools with a total school enrolment of more than twenty five (25) pupils but not exceeding fifty four (54) pupils. The combination of boys and girls in each team is to be decided by the individual school but all students must be enrolled in the same school.
The classification of the enrolment will be determined by the February Staff return.
(d) Rules for all age 5 x 50m Freestyle Relays:
(i) Team to comprise one (1) swimmer from each of the following age groups 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12/13 years age group.
(ii) The events be run as timed finals.
5.14.8 Method of starting
Competitors shall be placed in their lanes and one half pace behind the starting position by the Check Starter.
The procedure will then be:
a). The start in Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley races shall be with a dive from the diving platform or the wall or a competitor may start in the water. On the long whistle from the Referee the swimmers shall move to their starting position and remain there. On the starters command they shall immediately take up a starting position with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform or the wall. The position of the hands is not relevant. Students starting in the water must have 2 feet on the wall and 1 hand on the backstroke bar.
When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal. (SW4.1).
b). The start in Backstroke races shall be from the water. At the Referee’s first long whistle the swimmers shall immediately enter the water. At the Referee’s second long whistle the swimmers shall return without undue delay to the starting position. When all swimmers have assumed their starting positions, the Starter shall give the command “Take your marks”. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal. (SW4.2)
c).The start in relay races shall be with a dive from the diving platform or the wall or a competitor may start in the water. For a swimmer starting in the water, the swimmers feet must be on the wall when the incoming swimmers hand touches the wall. The swimmer starting in the water must start on the left of the lane. If swimmer 2 starts in the water, swimmer 1 will not be able to gain an official time.
d). The starting signal shall be with a hooter or gun blast.
e). A one (1) start rule, in all events shall be used for these Championships.
(f) Any swimmer starting before the starting signal has been given, shall be disqualified and be withdrawn from the event (this is at the discretion of the referee). If the starting signal sounds before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue and the swimmer or swimmers shall be disqualified upon completion of the race. If the disqualification is declared before the starting signal, the signal shall not be given, but the remaining swimmers shall be called back and start again. The Referee repeats the starting procedure beginning with the long whistle (the second one for backstroke) (SW4.3).
5.14.9 Finish
Competitors must remain in their lanes at the finish of each event until instructed to leave the water by the referee.
5.14.10 Finalists
Progress from Heats to Finals.
For Finals all available lanes shall be utilised.
Ten (10) lane pool – ten (10) fastest times through to finals
Nine (9) lane pool – nine (9) fastest times through to finals
Eight (8) lane pool – eight (8) fastest finals through to finals.
'A maximum of three (3) competitors per Association will be eligible to qualify for finals'.
5.14.11 Placegetters
(a) Placegetters in events will be awarded medallions at the conclusion of each event.
(b) The Harold Hardwick Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the Boys 100 metres Freestyle Champion.
(c) The Bill Finlay Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the Girls 100 metres Freestyle Champion.
(d) Ian Thomas Shield will be awarded to the Senior Boys 200m Individual Medley Champion.
(e) Geoff Falkenmire Shield will be awarded to the Senior Girls 200m Individual Medley Champion
(f) The Earl McGee Trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Earl McGee Small Schools Relay.
(g) The Peter Dobson Trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Peter Dobson Schools Relay.
(h) The Ron Jordan Trophy will be awarded to the competitor with the best overall performances in individual events. Swimmers are awarded points from 20 for first place on a sliding scale down to 1 point for tenth place (20, 15,12,10,8,6,4,3,2,1) for each final of an individual event they compete in. An additional 10 points will be awarded for setting a new record, or an additional 5 points for equalling a record, in an event. The establishing of a new record or equalling of a record may occur in a heat or final of an event, however the points will only be awarded once for each swimmer per event. (In the event of a tied point score, consideration will be given to the respective competitors’ number of first placings and records broken).
(i) Placings for swimmers in Multi-class events will be determined using the Multi-Class Point Score system. All results in each Multi-class event will be converted to a score and the largest score wins, second largest second etc.
(j) The Gregson Trophy
At all NSWPSSA Swimming Championships a trophy will be presented to the Outstanding Multi Class Swimmer of the Meet. The determination of the recipient of this trophy will be the same as for the Ron Jordan Trophy. i.e., Swimmers are awarded points from 20 for first place on a sliding scale down to 1 point for tenth place (20, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1) for their overall final placing in each Multi Class event (Open 100m freestyle, Junior/Senior 50m Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly). An additional 10 points will be awarded for setting a new record, or an additional 5 points for equaling a record, in an event. The establishing of a new record or equaling of a record may occur in a heat or final of an event, however the points will only be awarded once for each swimmer per event. In the event of a tied score, consideration will be given to the respective competitor’s number of first placings and records broken.
5.14.12 Withdrawals
All withdrawals from finals must be notified in writing to the Championship Director within thirty (30) minutes of the posting of the results for that event. Withdrawals after this time, or failure of a swimmer to report for a final, without documented medical evidence, will result in the withdrawal of the competitor from their next event (ie a heat or a final). The decision is left to the discretion of the Championship Director.
5.14.13
(i) Coaching
Once competitors are in the hands of the officials controlling the event they are not to receive any coaching or advice.
Penalty: Disqualification.
(ii) Pool deck policy
The NSWPSSA undertakes, and will enforce a clear pool deck policy during the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships. This applies to all spectators, coaches and competitors not actively engaged in the Championships and relates to the Competition, Marshalling and Warm up areas
5.14.14 Protests
All protests shall be in writing and lodged by a Team Manager (who must be a teacher) and given to the Championship Director within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the respective event. The protest shall initially considered by the referee. If they reject the protest, they must state the reason for their decision in writing and give the decision to the Championship Director. The referee must also convey their decision to the protesting Team Manager.
The protesting Team Manager may appeal against the rejection to the Disputes Committee whose decision will be final. Their decision shall be in writing and given to the Championship Director who shall convey the decision to the protesting Team Manager.
If the protest is upheld then the result shall be amended to reflect the decision. Any prizes shall be awarded in accordance with the revised placings.
The Disputes Committee shall comprise the Championship Director, a member of the Executive of the NSWPSSA and an assistant referee.
5.14.15 Touching the wall
In all events turn must be made from the wall and it is not permitted to take a stride or step from the bottom of the pool.
(a) Breastroke
At the turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water level. At the last stroke and at the finish an arm stroke not followed by a leg kick is permitted. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch.
(b) Backstroke
Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race. It is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface.
A swimmer shall swim upon his/her back throughout the race. The normal position on the back can include a roll movement of the body up to, but not including 90 degrees from horizontal. The position of the head is not relevant.
Upon the finish of the race and at the touch at the finish of the backstroke section in the Individual Medley, the swimmer must touch the wall on the back in his/her respective lane.
(c) Butterfly
At the turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water level.
(d) Freestyle
When turning or finishing a race the swimmer is required to touch the wall of the pool or course with any part of the body, not necessarily the hand. However, at the finish of the race its is necessary for contact to be made with the wall of the pool. A hand touch is not obligatory.
5.14.16 Selection of state teams
With the exception of the years when the Pacific Schools Games are to be contested, where specific selection criteria apply, the following selection procedures for School Sports Australia Championships shall apply.
(a) All swimmers selected to represent the NSWPSSA at School Sports Australia Championships must be turning ten (10), eleven (11), or twelve (12 in the year of competition.
(b) The first four placegetters in Age 50 metre freestyle and first three placegetters in all other events will be automatic selections in the NSWPSSA Team. In the case of dead heats for the third place or fourth place (50 m Freestyle), a swim-off shall be conducted.
(c) All additional swim places (i.e. 100 metres Backstroke, Butterfly, Breaststroke, 200 metres Freestyle and 11 years 200 metre Individual Medley and 11 years 100m Freestyle) will be determined by team management. To compete in these events swimmers must be selected in the NSW Team from the NSWPSSA Championships. Swimmers who are selected in the NSW Team will be invited to swim in these additional events based on times recorded on the Swimming Australia data base of times from 1st October of the previous year to the last day of the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships of that year.
The first three (3) placegetters only in the Open 200m Individual Medley final and the Open 100m freestyle at the NSWPSSA Championships will be considered for selection in the NSW Team. Any 11yr old swimmer who swims or is a reserve for the Open 200m Individual Medley final or the Open 100m Freestyle at the NSW PSSA Championships may be selected in the NSW Team to compete in the 11 yrs 200m IM or the 11yrs 100m Freestyle at the SSA Championships. Any 12yr old swimmer who places 4th – 10th, as an 11yr old has finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, in the Open 200m Individual Medley final or the Open 100m Freestyle at the NSWPSSA Championships may be selected to compete in the 12yrs 200m IM or the 12yrs Open 100 metres Freestyle at the SSA Championships provided they have already been selected in the team.
(d) 'A' Division relay teams, at SSA Championships, will be the four fastest available NSW swimmers in each age group and formstroke (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle) for the Medley Relay and the four placegetters in the Freestyle at the NSWPSSA Championships for the Freestyle Relay.
(e) Any competitor withdrawing from a Final at the NSWPSSA Championships for a reason other than documented medical reasons shall be precluded from selection in that relevant age event at the School Sport Australia exchange that year.
5.14.16 Selection of State Teams for Multi Class events
(f) A team of Multi Class swimmers, will be selected to represent NSWPSSA in the 10-12years division at the School Sport Australia Championships. The Multi Class swimmers will be selected on their overall performances at the NSWPSSA Championships. The first four (4) swimmers ranked by highest point score in the 50m Freestyle and three (3) swimmers ranked by highest point score in each other event will be selected to represent NSWPSSA at the SSA Meet. The swimmers are ranked on the points in each event in which they swim to determine the placings. The Multi Class swimmers will be allocated by the NSW team management to compete in any other selected events not contested at the NSWPSSA Championships. To compete in these events swimmers must be selected in the NSW Team from the NSWPSSA Championships. Swimmers who are selected in the NSW Team will be invited to swim in these additional events based on long course times recorded on the Swimming Australia data base of times from 1st October of the previous year to the last day of the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships of that year. Only the events for which times have been submitted will be taken into consideration.
Team management will allocate swimmers to compete in relay event.
5.14.17 Records
A swimming competitor equalling or bettering an existing record in a heat/final will be awarded a Record Certificate.
5.14.18 Event indicator
The event number and heat will be displayed for each event.
This is displayed on the main event board. Swimmers and team managers need to watch the main event board during the Championships to ensure swimmers are in the marshalling area on time. Swimmers shall be in the marshalling area at the beginning of the event 2 events prior to their event. (eg If a swimmer is in event 5, the swimmer needs to be in the marshalling area at the start of heat 1 of event 3).
5.14.19 Association seating
All competitors and spectators must sit in the allocated place. Each association sign will be attached to the rail on the grandstand. Offenders in out of bounds areas may be removed from the venue.
5.14.20 Order of events
The Championship Director reserves the right to alter the program should it be considered necessary.
5.14.21 Diving
(a) Springboard
Springboard Diving shall be conducted in the following categories
8 Years Boys and Girls
9 Years Boys and Girls
10 Years Boys and Girls
11 Years Boys and Girls
12/13 Years Boys and Girls
Dives may be performed from either the 1m and/or the 3m springboard.
8/9 Years Boys and Girls – 3 dives
1 dive @ 1.5 degree of difficulty or less
2 dives with no limit on degree of difficulty
10/11 Years Boys and Girls – 4 dives
2 dives @ 3.6 degree of difficulty or less
2 dives from 2 groups with no limit on degree of difficulty
12/13 Years Boys and Girls – 5 dives
3 dives from 3 groups @ 5.4 degree of difficulty or less
2 dives from 2 groups with no limit on degree of difficulty
(b) Platform
Platform Diving shall be conducted in the following categories
Open Boys
Open Girls
Dive Requirements for platform
4 dives
2 dives @ 3.6 degree of difficulty limit and
2 dives from 2 groups with no limit on degree of difficulty
Note: Divers must be aged 10, 11 or 12 in the year of competition to be eligible for School Sport Australia Championships
Dives may be performed from 5m platform only.
5.14.22 Swimsuits
(i) Swimsuits worn by competitors shall be non-transparent and conform with the following design:
(ii) Men’s swimsuits are limited to one(1) suit that covers as most the body surface from hips to knee. Swimsuits may not extend above the waist or below the knee.
(iii) Women’s swimsuits are limited to one(1) suit that is of ‘open back’ and ‘open shoulder’ designs that may extend down to the knee. Swimsuits may not extend below the knee.
(iv) No zippers or fastening devices are allowed except for a waist tie.
(v) Swimsuits must be of textile material and must not contain any non-textile material such as polyurethane or neoprene.
(vi) Any swimmer can request to wear modified or alternate swimwear, as long as this is presented to the Competition Manager or Meet Referee prior to the swimmer’s first session of competition.
(vii) All swimmers are eligible for a Record if they wear approved modified or alternative swimwear.
(viii) Swimmers may choose a swimwear style that covers additional body surface including the legs, arms and/or head.
(ix) If approved within the rule, there is no limit to the number of pieces the swimwear may be made from and swimmers may wear additional layers over a traditional swimsuit.
(x) Swimwear which the Competition Manager or Meet Referee believes would be capable of unfairly enhancing a swimmer’s performance will not be permitted.
Swimwear which the Competition Manager or Meet Referee believes would cause a safety risk will not be permitted.
Swimming caps
Individual events/relay events
If swimming caps are to be used, Association swimming caps ONLY may be worn.
Penalty – disqualification.