Galas
Team galas generally run between October and June. Swim coaches will look at personal best swim times, attitude towards training and other factors when selecting a team. Swimmers are encouraged to wear CSWPC club T-shirts and club swim hats for these competitions.
PGL GALA
These competitions comprise of a variety of rounds of galas and allows swimmers to compete and gain experience of competing in a team environment. Many of the youngsters are still very new to competing. The coaching team select a squad of children for each of these competitions as some have time qualifications.
Individual and relay events within the competition have set time limits for competitors, which they must not exceed, otherwise no team points will be awarded for that event. Each round will end with a very noisy and exciting team cannon race.
PGL competitive rounds take place from January onwards on Saturday evenings, so keep an eye out on the Leisure@ noticeboard, CSWPC Swimmers group on Facebook and on our website for team selection sheets.
COTSWOLD LEAGUE GALA
This is a junior development league. The purpose of the league is to give young swimmers competitive experience and hence a ‘speeding ticket’ system is run. This means that swimmers that are of County or above standard are not usually selected, as they will swim too fast. Although this seems a little strange it enables developing swimmers to also get an opportunity to compete.
Cotswold League competitive rounds normally take place from January onwards, often on the same Saturday evenings as PGL, so keep an eye out on the Leisure@ noticeboard, CSWPC Swimmers group on Facebook and on our website for team selection sheets. The coaching team select teams for each age group to swim at each of the Cotswold League Galas.
Complete information for 2023 Cotswold League>
PRIMARY SCHOOLS GALA
CSWPC are also responsible for hosting the Primary Schools Gala each year. We held the first “Annual Gala of the Elementary Schools Association” in 1914 and have hosted one every year since.
It is open to all primary schools in the Cheltenham area, including private schools. Last year 17 schools entered with over 170 children competing. Awards are given for the winning relay team in each age group and the best individual boy and girl.
We have prestigious trophies that are presented to each of the winners as well as many medals. Each competitor also leaves with a goody bag. All of this funded by the club.
- The Gerald Cook Trophy, 11/U Team Relay Champions
- The Fred Moss Shield, 10/U Team Relay Champions
- The Muriel Adams Trophy, Girls Open Individual Champion
- The Frank White Trophy, Boys Open Individual Champion
This is a great community event and is always well supported by parents and teachers of the school teams. It couldn’t happen though if it weren’t for the volunteers from the club – carrying out the organization of the event, providing the officials, and even running a raffle. Many of our older swimmers also help steward the school competitors poolside.
