| Competition Help | |||||||
| Ages | Helping | Notification | Organisation | Preparation | Travelling | Types of Competition | |
If the Gala is a long distance away (over 30 miles), a bus will usually be arranged. (It will actually be a high quality coach but we use the word bus in an attempt to avoid confusion with the "human" coaches.) A packed 'meal' should also be provided for the swimmers in these circumstances. If a bus has been arranged, the Gala slip you receive will tell you when it will depart. We usually assemble in the athletics ground car park, just by the rear entrance to the Centre, unless there is an athletics competition in progress, preventing the bus getting into the car park.
You will be told the expected return time when you drop off your child. This is an estimate and not a commitment and sometimes we get home earlier. Therefore, please ensure that you are waiting to take charge of your child no later than the stated time. If your child has a mobile phone then they tell you what the estimated time of arrival back in Bracknell is likely to be when the coach is underway. It is considered totally unreasonable to expect the team manager or one of the coaches to hang around waiting for you to arrive and you would not want your child waiting on their own in the car park late in the evening.
The packed meal should be suitable for the occasion - please ask if in doubt. Drivers are responsible for cleaning their coaches, so try not to send food that can easily cause a mess. Team Managers will almost certainly have a 'waste bag' available. Do not put anything in ashtrays. No cans are allowed on the coach and eating on the coach is at the discretion of the driver.
Chewing gum is strictly forbidden!!
Generally, please try to give your child the message that good behaviour is the expected norm when representing the Club.
It is against the law for Bus Drivers to allow passengers to drink while on the move, so please let your child know that no-one is being 'awkward' if restrictions are placed on him/her - alcohol on Buses is also illegal!!
The Club pays the full cost of the bus, but a charge of £2 is made for each spectator to help offset this expense. We like to take spectators along, provided there is room on the bus. If you intend to go to the Gala, but prefer to travel in your own car, you must let the Team Manager know if you are carrying any competitors, as we then do not panic at the last minute when someone is apparently missing.
Finally, if your child has been selected for a Gala, but is nervous about going, tell the Team Manager or Coach who will keep an eye on them. For most swimmers, particularly the younger ones, Team Galas are the most enjoyable part of their swimming and they usually arrive home eager to tell you all about it.