The Southern Junior League or “Diddy Galas”

For many swimmers the Southern Junior league (SJL) is their first taste of competition. The series of 3 galas for 9 to 12 year olds is held in May and June each year and Trowbridge ASC always compete.

The gala consist of a total of 49 events, with 6 events in each of the 9, 10, 11 and 12 year age groups, with boys and girls each having separate races. The 6 events are as follows:-
100m Medley Relay swum in the following order, Back, Breast, Fly, Freestyle
100m Free style relay.
Individual Freestyle 25m for 9 year olds and 50m for the rest.
Individual Backstroke, 25 m for 9 year olds and 50m for the rest.
Individual Breastroke, 25m for 9 year olds and 50 m for the rest.
Individual Fly, 25m for 9 year olds and 50m for the rest.
The last race in every gala is the 200m cannon, this 8 length relay is run 9 year old girl, 9 year old boy, 10 year old girl, 10 year old boy, 11 year old girl, 11 year old boy, 12 year old girl and finally a 12 year old boy. This is usually the noisiest race of the night with all the other swimmers supporting their team.

The rules are pretty straight forward
1) No swimmer can swim down an age group
2) 9 year olds cannot swim up an age group
3) Swimmers may only compete in two individual events in their age group and in one event the age group above.
4) There is no diving in the shallow end.
Each team is thus made up of 4 boys and 4 girls in each age group, with the Team Captains being selected as a boy and girl from the oldest age group.

For most of the 9 year olds it’s their first taste of completion so here are a few guidelines
1) Enjoy yourself!
2) Clothes, make sure you bring the following, a club hat, 2 pairs of goggles, 2 towels, a club T shirt and pair of shorts for on poolside and a spare swimming costume.
3) Bring some snacks and plenty to drink, fruit, nuts and jellies are good for snacks with quash being the best drink. Do not bring fizzy drinks
4) If you are invited please confirm with the Team Manager as soon as you can that you will be able to attend. Again if for any reason you are unable to make it please notify the Team Manager as soon as you can, due to the relay nature of the event if not enough people attend the team is unable to compete.
5) Make sure that once you are changed you take your bag onto pool side with you, it won’t be safe left in the changing rooms and you will need a towel, T shirt and shorts with you on poolside to stay warm between races.
6) Bring your parents with you to cheer you on!
As the name suggests the SJL is run across the south and although most local clubs such as Bath, Frome and Bradford on Avon compete you may find that you are swimming against clubs from Yeovil, Swindon, Bridport or Bristol. The teams selected for each gala is based on a draw for the first one and then on the points scored in galas in the remainder.

As with most events that the club is involved with it simply couldn’t happen without the volunteers that help at each event. These are as follows:-
A Team Manager, 2 senders, a helper each end of the pool, a time keeper and a judge.

If you wish to support your child as their swimming develops there are lots of volunteers needed, please talk to Michele or Heather if you would like to help.