Monday 22 June 2015

Blog 2315: Nottingham Northern Gala

Dear Swimmers and Supporters

It is now just a week until the Nottingham Northern Junior Open 2015 takes place on Sunday 28th June at Beechdale - our last gala at this venue. The official programme has now been finalised and will be available to purchase at the event. Alternatively it can be downloaded from the swimming club website:

www.northernsc.co.uk/page32.htm

The same page contains other useful information, including an up to date entries list, and a draft timeline showing an estimated running order of events.

We have a catering van booked for the day, which will be providing hot and cold food and drinks from just outside the main entrance to the centre. An ice cream van is booked for the afternoon and Nottingham Northern swimmers and their families will be selling cakes during the day. A professional photographer will be in action during the day capturing images of swimmers competing and receiving trophies, with photos available to view, order and print on the day. There will also be a fully stocked swim shop present and a raffle with a host of exciting prizes.

Beechdale Swimming Centre has a large free car park located to the side and rear of the centre. If this fills up then there is free parking along Beechdale Road and the side roads leading off it, but please park with consideration for local residents. Please also be aware that roadwords are under way along Nottingham's Ring Road at Crown Island, to the south of Beechdale. This involves lane closures and could result in delays, so please allow a few extra minutes when planning your journey. Nottingham City Transport bus number 28 provides a regular service with a stop directly outside the swimming pool for those choosing to use public transport.

Please notify me before the start of each session if any swimmers have to pull out. This will help avoid having empty lanes during the races. Please advise any withdrawals by email to andrew@northernsc.co.uk, by text message to 07999 765 775, or in person to the desk on the day of the Gala by 8:30am for Session 1 or by 1:45pm for Session 2. Please also advise if a swimmer who has qualified for a final needs to pull out, as this will enable a place in the final to be given to a reserve finalist.

Warm-up times have now been finalised as follows:

Morning Session Warm-up Times: Girls: 8:30am - Age 9-11 followed by age 12-14. Boys: 8:55am: Age 9-11 followed by age 12-14. Start: 9:30am

Afternoon Session Warm-up Times: Boys: 1:45pm - Age 9-11 followed by age 12-14. Girls: 2.05pm: Age 9-11 followed by age 12-14. Start: 2:30pm

For those who aren't familiar with Beechdale, once inside the main doors to the building, swimmers and coaches proceed straight on towards the pool, where a desk will be available handing out pre-booked coaches passes and dealing with any arranged refunds. Spectators should instead head up the stairs towards the gallery.