Shropshire County Champions
2007, 2008, 2009

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The official website for Northgate Swimming Club, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Shropshire County Age Group Championships 2012

Please see links below for information about the 2012 championships.

Programme

Conditions

Qualifying Times

Entry Form

Louise Barnes, our treasurer, has put together the following article on what to expect at the CAG’s

THE COUNTY AGE GROUPS – A PARENTS GUIDE

Used to be three – now just two weekends in Market Drayton in February and March. What fun for us all!!!!!

Our beloved children have qualified for some events at this important meeting, but what does it mean for us parents?

First of all we sit in the equivalent of a conservatory – so no wearing a chunky jumper or a fleece (like I did on my first year as a parent) with nothing underneath. It is hot in there so make sure that your lowest layer is something cool. Or if you’ve the body for it a bikini top may be a good idea.

There are vending machines, but they are like the ones at the leisure centre and do run out. Remember that there are lots of people there in a fairly small space. On Saturday there are places open in Market Drayton (we have had some yummy mid morning snacks) but due to timings do not plan on feeding swimmers in town. Take a packed lunch – last year several families parked in the ‘bus’ area of the car park and mixed and matched what we had brought. The children sat in which ever car they fancied and we all had a good time. Swimmers eat about twice their body weight in food over the weekend so make sure you send them off with loads of grub.

Market Drayton is shut on Sundays (apart from Wetherspoons, Wilkinson’s and the paper shop).

Take cash with you – you have to pay to get in and there are t-shirts available with all the competitors names printed on the back. A must have for all the children and despite the price they do go quickly and cost about £8 per shirt. If you are not going on the first weekend it may be worth having a word with a friend who is, and getting them to buy one for you.

Warm ups for the morning sessions are at 9 am, and your child must swim in the warm up if they are going to compete. The parking is very busy – especially on the last weekend, so getting there early is a good idea. If you are near the front of the queue you are more likely to get a seat – these are limited in number as well. The afternoon sessions have guide starting times but these can vary depending on the timing of the morning session. We try and sit together as a club wherever possible. Whoever is in first tries to save a block of seats – it helps team morale and we can cheer the other Northgate swimmers on together

There are long gaps where you won’t know anyone who is swimming. A newspaper or book can be useful to while away the time. The children also have long periods of inactivity, so something to keep them amused would be useful as well. Also take along as many changes of costume/tee shirt as possible. Sitting around for a couple of hours in a damp costume and tee shirt (not in the warm conservatory) doesn’t get the best performance out of the swimmers. Remember the pool side shoes as well.

Use lunch time not only for feeding you all, but getting a breath of fresh air is good for everyone. There’s lots of grass suitable for football, or take a little stroll round the town.

We seem to have been at The County Age Groups forever, but we have been asked some of the above by newer parents to the club. If you have a question not answered here e mail me, and if I don’t know the answer I’ll do my best to find out.

Email Louise 

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