Competition calendar

A Pathway to Support Swimmer Progression
In our continuous effort to nurture and develop talent within the sport, we have established a structured competition pathway designed to guide our swimmers through a long-term, steady, and healthy development journey. The primary goal is to create a balanced and supportive competition environment that caters to various skill levels, while also reducing stress for swimmers, parents, coaches, and clubs. This approach ensures a more enjoyable and sustainable experience for everyone involved.

Key Highlights of the Pathway Development:

• Inclusive Qualification Opportunities: All competition qualifications have been crafted to provide every swimmer with the chance to participate in at least one meet. This structure also offers swimmers equal opportunities to enhance their skills and advance to higher competition levels.
• Data-Driven Qualification Standards: Qualification times have been determined based on an analysis of UAE meets over recent years, reflecting the performance trends of our athletes.
• Simplified Meet Titles: To facilitate a clear understanding, we have categorized meets into four levels (Development, Competitive, Performance, and International). These titles help swimmers and coaches easily identify the appropriate level of competition.
• Standardized Age Groups: We have established consistent age groups for each meet level, with a single age group for Development and Competitive meets, and mixed age groups for Performance and International level meets.
• Annual Evaluation of Qualification Times: Each January, qualification times will be reviewed and potentially adjusted (by up to 5%) to ensure that the progression of our swimmers aligns with the evolving performance standards of the community.
• Balanced Competition Calendar: The calendar is thoughtfully organized with 6 development competitions, 5 competitive competitions, 4 performance competitions, and 2 international-level competitions throughout the season. This structure allows for adequate time between each competitive level, ensuring swimmers are neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged. These considerations have been meticulously integrated to engage as many swimmers as possible in competitions, promoting a stress-free and enjoyable environment. By reducing the pressure to win and the fear of underperformance, we aim to keep athletes in the sport longer, fostering a love for swimming that lasts a lifetime.