SWIMMING VICTORIA

GUIDELINES TO RUNNING A SWIMMING CARNIVAL

A Guide for Schools

CONTENTS

1

INTRODUCTION 2

TIMELINE FOR ORGANISING & PLANNING 3

REGULAR PROGRAM EXAMPLE 4

WET WEATHER PROGRAM EXAMPLE 5

SAMPLE PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAM 6-8

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT 9

DUTIES OF SWIMMING OFFICIALS 10

OTHER ROLES 11

ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM SV 12

SSV SWIMMING RULES & REGULATIONS 13-14

SAFETY & OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 15

APPENDIX ONE 16

INTRODUCTION

The following is provided to support schools and staff with assistance in the running of School, District and Regional swimming carnivals.

The philosophy of School Sport Victoria (SSV) is to promote enthusiasm, enjoyment, participation, competition and education for all students, regardless of ability.

Consideration must be given to how all students are to be included in swimming carnivals. The emphasis for any event at any level for school students should be enjoyment and ensuring that everyone is given an opportunity to improve, through a positive experience. School Sport Victoria (SSV) supports the right of students with disability to access the same opportunities to school sport as able bodied children. All schools and school sporting structures have a legal and moral obligation to provide the same access to school sport for all students, regardless of ability.

Schools and teachers should also have an understanding of appropriate pathways for Swimmers with Disability (SWD) through competitions. Classification is an important consideration for competition. Additional information is available in Appendix One of this document.

It is vital that all compliance and safety issues (such as staff/life guard ratios and pool depths) are thought through at the start of your planning for any carnival It is imperative that schools check their governing body’s policies on such issues. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD’s) school policy and advisory guide can be found at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/spag/curriculum/safety/swimming.htm

For DEECD schools there is also the student activity locator.

This document contains information or examples of:

• Timelinefororganisation/planning.

• Programexamplesforregulardayandwetweather

• Samplejobdescriptionsforaschool/localcarnival

• Suggestedequipment

• AssistanceavailablefromSwimmingVictoria

• SSVSwimmingrulesandregulations

• Safetyandotherconsiderationsfortherunningofaswimmingevent

• DutiesofSwimmingOfficials

This booklet is to be used as a guide only. Please adapt to suit the needs of your school.

ACkNOWLEDGEMENTMany thanks to the many individuals who gave their time, ideas and intellectual property generously in the completion of this resource - Christine Burns, Marilyn John, katherine Jones, Peter Finch and kathy Tessier.Thanks also to the School Sport Victoria Swimming Sub Committee and Steve Cunningham for their input into this resource.

2

TIMELINE FOR ORGANISATION/PLANNING

AT LEAST 3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE:

• BookVenue:Checkthefacilities,e.g.sizeandavailabilityofchangerooms,amountoflifeguards,undercoverorshadedareas (do you need to bring/find extra shade, first-aid room, public address system, recorders chairs and tables).

• Confirmpooldepthsandstartingblocksize/availabilitysoappropriatedecisionsaboutdivingintothepoolcanbemade.

• ContactSwimmingVictoriatobookofficialsifrequiredhttp://www.swimmingvictoria.org.au

• Checkcomplianceandsafetyissuesfromhttp://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/spag/curriculum/safety/ swimming.htm

AT LEAST 2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE:

• Seekassistancefromyourlocalswimmingcluborswimcentre,ifunsurewhothatwouldbecontactSwimmingVictoriafor your closest club or go to their web-site. http://www.swimmingvictoria.org.au

• Orderpennants,ribbons,andmedallions.

• OrganiseFirst-Aidfortheday.

• Organisetransportfortheday.

AT LEAST 1 MONTH IN ADVANCE:

• Arrangehelpers/allocatepositionsfortheday.

• Communicateinformationtostudents,parentsandstaff.

• Prepareyourprogramfortheday(alsoincludehotandwetweatherplan).

3

REGULAR PROGRAM EXAMPLE

THIS PROGRAM IS AN APPROXIMATE TIMELINE FOR A SCHOOL’S ANNUAL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

8.30 am Staff Arrive Staff are asked to be at the pool by this time to help direct students into the pool. Please bring your roll and permission slips.

8.40 am Homeroom School: Mark rolls, once all formalities are completed begin to make your way out to the buses. AND/OR POOL: Students are to be at the pool in time for morning homeroom. Please refer to homeroom duties for details where each year level will be seated at the pool during morning and afternoon homeroom and the details for taking the roll, etc. 9.00 am Travel Pool Buses will be used to transport students to the pool.

Move into House Areas

9.10 am Competition Begins

9.30 am Official Welcome

Judging for Best House Cheers Judging of cheers, chants and/or routines will occur at the times shown. Apanelofjudgeswillawardattheendofthedaypointstothebesthouse.Anoverallprizewillbeawardedtothishouse.

9. 40 am Swimming Competition Resumes The swimming competition will resume after the welcome.

1.45 pm Competition Concludes Competition can not go beyond this time, therefore if any events are still to be swam they will be cancelled and points tallied from this race.

1.45 pm Staff / Student House Relay

1.50 pm Clean Up Studentscleanupintheirhouseandsurroundingarea.Garbagebagswillbeprovided.Studentswillalsoberequiredto dry off, get dressed and be ready for presentations.

2.00 pm Presentations Awards will be presented for the male and female in each age group that has the highest points tally for the day. Individual points will not be awarded for relay and the novelty event. House awards will be awarded to the best Junior House, Intermediate and Senior House.

2.15 pm Homeroom Students to find their homeroom teacher, sign off and wait for dismissal. 2.30 pm Transport Back to School Students can be dismissed from the pool if they have indicated this on their permission slip. If students do not have permission to be dismissed from the pool they need to accompany their homeroom teacher onto the buses provided.

Morning Homeroom Duties

8.40 am Morning Homeroom Allstaffarerequiredtomarktheirhomeroomrollsasnormal.

9.00 am Conclusion of Homeroom

Afternoon Homeroom Duties

2.15 pm Homeroom In the same areas as morning homeroom, take roll and get students ready to get on the bus.

ALL READY COVERED EARLIER2.30 pm Buses Depart All staff and students must be on the buses by 2.30pm ready to depart.

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WET WEATHER PROGRAM EXAMPLE

PROCEDURE OF DAY IF SWIMMING CARNIVAL IS CANCELLED DUE TO WET WEATHER

7:00 – 7:15 KeystaffmemberstomeetatAquaticCentretoinspectPool,notingconditionofgrassedarea.

7:35 – 7:40 key staff members to make final decision regarding Cancellation or Completion of Swimming Carnival.

7:40 Decision finalised.

If Carnival proceeds we follow outline in Staff handbook for procedure of the day.

If Carnival is cancelled, the following steps will be undertaken:

1. School will be contacted immediately to advertise amongst staff and external helpers that Swimming Carnival has been cancelled.

2. Staff will be contacted immediately to help answer any calls relating to the cancelled Swimming Carnival.

3. Announcements will be placed over the PA system to publicise to students that the Swimming Carnival has been cancelled. These announcements will be made at 8:35 and again at 8:45

4. Indemnity forms will be place where instructed by homeroom teachers

5. Cancel the buses

9:00 Students registered to swim 50m in 2 or more of the following events (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breastatroke and Butterfly) will be called over the PA system to meet:

They will then be given instructions as to how the day will proceed for these people. The following points will be covered at the briefing.

1. Students will be timed over 50m for at least 2 disciplines

2. Staff will collect indemnity forms

3. Students will meet to travel to the pool

9:45 –11:30 Up to 50 students wishing to attend a ‘time trial’ will travel to the pool to meet staff. Students will be out of class periods 2-3

12:00 –1:00 Packupandreturnallequipment

Circulated information to all involved.

5

SAMPLE PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAM (FOR A SSV DIVISION CARNIVAL)

INSERT DIVISION NAME

INSERT POOL LOCATION

INSERT DATE (BACk UP DATE)

• AgesarecalculatedasatDecember31intheyearofcompetition:egAchildwhoturns11during2012willcompeteinthe 11 years event.

• Agegroupsare:9/10yrs,11yrs,12/13yrsforallSSVevents.

• Eachswimmermayswiminamaximum2eventsplusfreestylerelayplusmedleyrelay.

• Eachswimmermustonlycompeteintheoneagegroupforallindividualevents.

• Aswimmermaycompeteinahigheragegroupinrelayevents.(Ifin2relaysitmustbeinthesameage group)

• Thefirst2competitorsinindividualeventsandthefirst2relayteamswillqualifytotheRegionevent

• SupervisionofstudentsistheresponsibilityofateacherfromeachDistrict.

• Thebackupday(onlyintheeventoflightning/storms)is(insertdate) Schools will be notified by email by 8am if a postponement is necessary.

• Therearetobenochangesmadetotheofficialteamonthedayoftheswimcarnival,exceptinrelays.OnlytheSupervising teacher from that District can make such a relay swimmer change. Entries are computer generated and do not allow for individual changes on the day.

• SwimmingAttire:PleasebeawareofthefollowingrequirementsatSSVswimmingcarnivals.Compressionclothingsuch:as Skins, Underarmour, Performax etc. are not designed for and not suitable for swimming. Girl’s attire is to be one piece or if two piece an appropriate rash vest is to be worn at all times.

PLEASE NOTE: Leaving the water after a race can be a confusing time for swimmers and judges. Please ensure swimmers are aware of

the following procedures.

AFTER THE RACE the Chief Judge should give two sharp whistle bursts to signify to the competitors that they may leave the water. It is

requiredthatswimmerswaitintheirlanesinthewateruntilthatsignal.

This should always be by the side, not over the wall. Please get children into good habits at District and Division Carnivals - make them

stay in their lanes until whistled out and then get out to the side of the pool, NOT over the end of the pool.

6

SSV PRIVACY STATEMENT

“TheInformationPrivacyAct2000requirestheSchoolSportVictoriatoinformyouthat,intheconductofschoolsport,photographsmaybe taken of participants and results compiled to record student participation, celebrate student success and achievement and to promote the SSV and events conducted by the SSV. We limit the use and disclosure of any personal information to the purpose of participating in school sport. By accepting the invitation to participate in events under the auspices of the SSV, you undertake to abide by the SSV Privacy Policy.” SSV officials will not divulge personal information about students who participate in SSV activities. (This includes parent details, address, phone number, school details or phone, medical information, etc.) Personal information about any student will be destroyed once that student has completed their involvement in the particular activity for which the information was obtained.

SAMPLE PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAM (FOR A SSV DIVISION CARNIVAL)

SWIMMING 10:30 – 1:45 APPROX

OFFICIALSDistrict Secretaries to organise!

Referee Insert Name

Starter Sale District

Starters Marshall Sale District

Stroke Judges Swim Club

Life Savers Heyfield District

Sale Rurals

Announcer Sale District

Recording Insert Names

Chief Judge Heyfield District

Judges Sale District 1st & 2nd

Yarram District 3rd & 4th

Sale Rurals 5th & 6th

Heyfield District 7th & 8th

Finish Marshalls Heyfield District

Yarram District

Timekeepers Recommended completing and circulating a roster before the event day

Lanes for entire carnival

Lane 2 Sale District Lane 3 Sale Rurals

Lane 4 Heyfield District Lane 1 Yarram District

Lane 6 Sale District Lane 7 Sale Rurals

Lane 8 Heyfield District Lane 5 Yarram District

First and second in individual events and in relays progress to the:

SSV REGION SWIMMING CARNIVAL

AQUA ENERGY AQUATIC CENTRE, SALE

WEDNESDAY MARCH 14th

7

SAMPLE PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAM (FOR A SSV DIVISION CARNIVAL)

PLEASE NOTE: An individual can only enter 2 events plus 2 relays at Region. (Free & Medley) If a swimmer is eligible for more than 2 individual events they must let me know on the day of their preferred 2 events.

SWIMMING PROGRAM

10:30am 1 G 9/10 Years 50 m Freestyle

2 B 9/10 Years 50 m Freestyle

3 G 11 Years 50 m Freestyle

4 B 11 Years 50 m Freestyle

5 G 12/13 Years 50 m Freestyle

6 B 12/13 Years 50 m Freestyle

7 G 9/10 Years 50 m Breaststroke

8 B 9/10 Years 50 m Breaststroke

9 G 11 Years 50 m Breaststroke

10 B 11 Years 50 m Breaststroke

11 G 12/13 Years 50 m Breaststroke

12 B 12/13 Years 50 m Breaststroke

13 G 9/10 Years 50 m Backstroke

14 B 9/10 Years 50 m Backstroke

15 G 11 Years 50 m Backstroke

16 B 11 Years 50 m Backstroke

17 G 12/13 Years 50 m Backstroke

18 B 12/13 Years 50 m Backstroke

19 G 9/10 Years 50 m Butterfly

20 B 9/10 Years 50 m Butterfly

21 G 11 Years 50 m Butterfly

22 B 11 Years 50 m Butterfly

23 G 12/13 Years 50 m Butterfly

24 B 12/13 Years 50 m Butterfly

25 G 12/13Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay

26 B 12/13 Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay

27 G 11 Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay

28 B 11 Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay

29 G 9/10 Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay

30 B 9/10 Years 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay

31 G Open Age 4 x 50m Medley Relay (back,breast,b’fly, free)

32 B Open Age 4 x 50m Medley Relay

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SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT

StartingDevice(hooter,loudhailer,startinggun) StartingCaps EarMuffs Whistles BackstrokeFlags FalseStartRope(15metresfromstart) MarshalFlags Megaphone/PAsystemaccess/Microphone StopWatches Timekeepers’Tickets TablesandChairs ClassRolls Scoreboard HouseSwimmingCaps NoveltyEventsEquipment HouseFlags Clipboards RecordingSheets/ComputerProgram RecordingInformationandMaterial Printer PowerCords PowerBoard/s Programs StaffFoodandDrinks StudentMedication Ribbons Pennants Medals Trophies Pencils Erases FirstAidKit

9

DUTIES OF SWIMMING OFFICIALS

Please note that these are more applicable to a district and regional level. The emphasis for any event at any level for school students should be enjoyment and ensuring that everyone is given an opportunity to improve, through a positive experience.

REFEREEThe Referee is in charge of all officials, is responsible for enforcing all rules and shall handle any disputes or protests which may occur. TheRefereehastheauthoritytodisqualifycompetitorsforanyviolationsoftherules.LocalSwimmingClubsorSwimVictoriahavequalified/experiencedpersonnelavailable.Contactearlytoutilisetheseservices.(http://www.swimmingvictoria.org.au)

MARSHALSMarshalsarerequiredtoassemblecompetitorsintheirlaneorderatleast3eventsaheadinthemarshallingarea.Competitors/schoolsneed to be checked off on the marshalling list and then move in their lane order to the Starter’s Assistant at the end of the pool ready to start the race.

STARTERBefore each event the Starter must wait for a “ready” signal from the Referee. The following directions are given:• Longwhistle-Swimmersontotheblocksorinthewaterforbackstrokeor“inpoolstarts”• “Takeyourmarks”• Thestarterfiresthepistol(oruseswhateverstartingequipmentyouareusingontheday)

IfintheopinionoftheStarterortheRefereeaswimmerdeliberatelybreakshe/sheshallbedisqualified.Anyswimmerwhodeliberatelyfallsin,alsorisksdisqualification.If in the opinion of the Starter it is a normal false start, the Starter shall immediately recall the swimmers by firing another pistol shot or blowing a whistle. At the same time the false start rope should be lowered.Shouldanyswimmerbreakthesecondtime,theswimmer/sresponsibleforthebreakwillbedisqualified,regardlessofwhetherhe/shehas broken at the first attempt. In State Champions, Regional finals and depending upon agreed understandings, the “One Start” rule applies.

TIMEkEEPERSA minimum of one timekeeper is allocated per lane. They should stand at the end of the pool in front of the lane (do not stand at the side of the pool). Watches are to be started on the smoke of the pistol (or on sound of hooter) and stopped when the swimmer touches the end of the pool. The chief timekeeper takes the first placegetter’s time as well as the lane timekeeper. Where there are two times taken, the slower time becomes the official time and will be entered on the timekeepers slip. If using 3 time keepers the middle time is the official time.

JUDGESJudges write down the number of all lanes in order of finishing. The Chief Judge makes the final decision on placings. To make it easier, swimmers could be given coloured cards or place number cards to take to recording with them. Judges need to stand at the side of the pool to judge the race. Avoid allocating a judge to identify 1st, someone else 2nd etc. In a close finish this method can result in several swimmers being awarded same place and a swimmer being overlooked. Judges always stand on the same side of pool looking across the pool.

RECORDEREnters the placing and times on the recording sheets. These are then handed to staff entering results on computers or master recording sheets (depending on the level of competition). Results are then passed onto the announcers to present ribbons etc.

ANNOUNCEROutlines to spectators and participants, the process for the day including:• Howswimmersprogresstothenextlevelofcompetition.• Therulesrelatingtofalsestartsfortheday.• Thestartingproceduresfortheday.• Remindersaboutanytechnicalaspectsofswimmingeg.2handedtouchatendofbreaststrokeandbutterfly.• Remindersaboutrelaychangeovers,especiallyforswimmersstartinginwateratshallowendofpool.• Whereswimmersaretomarshal.• Whereswimmerscompletingtheracelineup.• Announcetheresultsofallraces• Assistwithpresentations,ifrequired.10