Procedure & Rule Updates since September 2009

There have been a few changes in the swimming community since the beginning of the season in September 2009. Below is a summary of the recent updates:

Proof of Residency/Proof of Residency Exemption

There is a new procedure aimed an ensuring all athletes in Swim Ontario sanctioned competitions are properly registered, insured and that they are residents of the country or province for which they claim residence. Swim Ontario sanctioned competitions which have the potential of attracting non-Ontario swimmers must include a notice of registration and residency. A signed affidavit is required by visiting clubs with meet entries. An exemption of residency may be applied for.

New Breaststroke Rule Interpretation

http://www.swimontario.com/announce_detail.php?id=2180

New Mixed Gender Racing Rule Interpretation by Swim Ontario

A new FINA rule change was reviewed by Bill Hogan, October 11, 2009, “SW10.1 – All individual races must be held as separate gender events”.

As per Swim Ontario’s Swimming Development Committee meeting held January 5, 2010, Swim Ontario’s position on this ruling has been confirmed that mixed gender events will be permitted by Swim Ontario in the sanctioning process. However, results must be separated by gender for results reporting and uploading of results.

In spite of this interpretation and Swim Ontario rule amendment, any swimmer who attempts to achieve a record time at any level (club, regional, provincial, national etc. whether age-group or open) it will not be recognized for that record unless the coach has advised the referee prior to the start of the session in which the swim is to be contested that there is a possibility of the record being broken, and the referee ensures that the swimmer competes with the competitors of the same gender for his/her heat. 

http://www.swimontario.com/announce_detail.php?id=2180

Swim Suit Rule

All swimmers must compete in FINA approved swimsuits and adhere to the guidelines laid out by Swimming Canada regarding cut, texture and length.

Swim Ontario Coach Registration

All coaches need to be registered on the Swim Ontario, CSCTA and the SNC registration databases. It is now a requirement that clubs indicate the coaches attending a meet when uploading entries. Without registered coaches, meet entries will not be accepted.

Coaching Membership & Eligibility for Certified Coaches On Deck

Due to the changes in the NCCP program and the current delivery method the following temporary procedure is in place.

For period September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010 coaches with proof of a minimum Fundamentals “CERTIFIED” status may register as a SO competitive coach and have the privilege of coaching unsupervised on deck during practice or training sessions only. Fundamentals “CERTIFIED” status coaches are only eligible to coach at Swim Ontario sanctioned competitions with proof of direct and active supervision from a minimum Skills Coach “CERTIFIED” coach.

For period September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2011 coaches with proof of a minimum Skills Coach “IN TRAINING” status may register as a SO competitive coach provided they show proof that a minimum Skills Coach “CERTIFIED” is in a direct and active supervisory roll. Skills coach “IN TRAINING” status coaches are only eligible to coach at Swim Ontario sanctioned competitions with proof of direct and active supervision from a minimum Skills Coach CERTIFIED coach.

For period September 1, 2011 and beyond coaches with proof of a minimum Skills Coach “CERTIFIED” status may register as a SO competitive coach. Those coaches with Skills Coach “IN TRAINING” status may register as a SO competitive coach provided they show proof that a minimum Skills Coach “CERTIFIED” is in a direct and active supervisory roll. Skills Coach “IN TRAINING:” status coaches are only eligible to coach at Swim Ontario sanctioned competitions with proof of direct and active supervision from a minimum Skills Coach CERTIFIED coach.

An interim procedure will be announced shortly in response to the changes in the NCCP program and the current delivery method.

LTADS compliance - Results – 14 & under Results in Individual Age Increments

Swim Ontario and the Swimming Development Committee have reviewed the rationale behind the LTAD’s/Meet Sanctioning policy around posting 14 & under results for all sanctioned competitions in the province of Ontario. It was agreed that ongoing monitoring of growth and development in 14 and under swimmers in single age increments is valuable because in these childhood years, substantial physiological changes occur in very short spans of time. This information will provide a better window on how to best implement skill development, introduction to training and competitive programming in these formative years and allow the swimming community to best impact the long term development of the swimmers. Only Swim Ontario Provincial Championship sanctioned meets must adhere to the LTAD’s policy re: awarding, scoring and posting of 14 & under results in single age increments. 

Member Club Entry to a Meet

Procedure M-001-06, Meet Sanction Obligations & Procedures has been updated to reflect a more detailed outline regarding entries to open/closed competitions and rejected or denied entries.  View more HERE