Swim Competitions Explained
Lancaster City takes part in a range of external competitions, both individual and team events. This section provides some insight into the types of competitions we attend, what to expect and how to enter.
Club Championships
The Club Championships are open to all members of Lancaster City ASWPC. They occur twice a year in the summer and winter. They are an excellent opportunity for young or new swimmers to get involved in competing as there are no qualifying times and are Swim England licensed to Level 4.
There are also 18m and 25m events for our swimmers aged 9 & under who may feel less confident racing longer distances or are too young to compete in other events. We encourage all our members to participate at the club championships!
Times achieved at the Club Championships are uploaded to a swimmer's record at Swim England Rankings; these times can be used in the future to enter Level 3 Open Galas which require qualifying times.
Individual Open Galas
The club will attend several 'Open' galas across the season. These events are run by individual swimming clubs and give swimmers aged 9 and up the opportunity to swim as individuals with the support of the club.
We encourage all our athletes to attend as many open galas that are advertised throughout the season, as times achieved at these events can be used by swimmers as entry qualifications to larger more prestigious events such as:
- North Lancs Level 2 Championships - Held across 2 weekends every Sept/Oct
- Lancashire County Championships - Held across 2 weekends every Jan/Feb
- SENW Regional Championships - Held across 3 weekends every Apr/May
- GoCardless Swim England Nationals - Held across 5 days in August
Team Events
These are always a favourite with all swimmers as they are short noisy affairs that are high in excitement, loud in atmosphere and great to make swimmers feel part of a team.
The 2025 season was a very successful one here at Lancaster City. We were promoted in every swim league we compete in meaning we are now competing in the top division in Microleague and the North Lancashire league!
The swimmers who represent Lancaster City at team events are selected by coaches prior to every gala. Invitations are sent out via Swim Club Manager / email.
Micro league Northwest
The Northwest Micro-league is affiliated to the national Junior Inter League and is a friendly competition for young swimmers. It runs from February to July each year.
Swimmers aged 9-12 can compete.
The competition consists of 3 divisions across three rounds. There are 50m sprints with 25m relays as well as individual swims.
The competition takes place at a range of venues across the northwest depending on which clubs are hosting, including;
Knowsley, Blackpool, and Darwen.
The winners and promoted teams are decided by who has accumulated the most points across all 3 events.
Age Bands:
- Aged 9 and under in the November of the year of the competition.
- Aged 10 in the November of the year of the competition.
- Aged 11 in the November of the year of the competition.
- Aged 12 in the November of the year of the competition.
North Lancashire Swim League
This event is open to clubs who are members of the North Lancashire Swimming & Water Polo Association. It runs from January to June each year.
Swimmers aged 9/over can compete.
The competition consists of 2 Divisions across three rounds. There are 50m sprints with relays/ individual swims.
The competition normally takes place at three venues:
- Mid-January @ Darwen
- Mid-April @ Blackpool
- Early-June @ Blackpool
The winners and promoted teams are decided by who has accumulated the most points across all 3 events.
Age Bands:
- Aged 12 and under (at the date of the last gala)
- Aged 13 and 14 (at the date of the last gala)
- Aged 15 and over (at the date of the last gala)
National Arena Swim League
The National Arena Swim League is a national team competition. We compete in the Northwest sector. It runs from September to December each year.
Swimmers aged 9/over can compete.
The competition consists of 4 divisions (Premier, One, Two & Minor) across three rounds. There are 50m, 100m, & 200IM sprints with relays and individual swims.
The competition takes place at a range of venues across the northwest selected at random, including;
Ellesmere Port, Blackpool, Darwen, Connah's Quay, Kendal and Macclesfield.
The winners and promoted teams are decided by who has accumulated the most points across all 3 events.
Age Bands:
- Aged 12/under on 31st December of the year of the competition.
- Aged 13/14 on 31st December of the year of the competition.
- Aged 15/over on 31st December of the year of the competition.
There are regular communications sent out about which galas we will be attending as a club. If you have any questions about galas please talk to our poolside helpers or email [email protected]
