What is the County Championships?
The Berkshire County Championships is an annual competition that brings together the best swimmers from across the county to race in various events and age groups. It’s a prestigious meet that offers swimmers the chance to experience a higher level of competition, celebrate their hard work, and measure progress within the county.
When and How to Qualify
The 2025 County Championships will be held in January, with all qualifying times required by mid-December 2024. Only times achieved at licensed meets (Levels 1-4) are eligible, as these meets provide official results that meet county requirements. County qualifying times can be found in the meets ‘promoters conditions’ PDF. The qualification categories are based on Gender and age from the double banded 10-11 year category, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17+.
Understanding Qualifying Age
For County Championships, swimmers’ ages are based on how old they will be on December 31, 2025. This means that for the January 2025 event, even if a swimmer is younger at the time of the meet, they will compete in the age group corresponding to their age at the end of 2025. This rule aligns with age-group standards across county, regional, and national events.
County Relays
In addition to individual events, the County Championships also host relay events for both boys and girls in the following age groups:
4x50 IM and Freestyle - 10-11 years
4x100 IM and Freestyle - 12-13 years
4x100 IM and Freestyle - 16 and under
Unlike individual events, swimmers do not need to achieve County qualifying times to be selected for a relay team. We will decide which relay teams to enter based on the number of eligible swimmers we have in each age group and whether we believe our teams will be competitive compared to last year’s times. Being part of a relay team is an exciting way to represent our club and compete as part of a team. I’ll be in touch with those selected for relay teams closer to the event.
Why Aim for the County Championships?
Participating in the County Championships is an incredible achievement, as it represents an important step in competitive swimming. Beyond individual success, this event gives swimmers the chance to:
Compete against the best swimmers in the county and gain valuable experience.
Feel the excitement and energy of a higher-level meet, which can be very motivating.
Set ambitious goals to work toward future competitions, such as regional or national levels.
What if I Don’t Qualify?
Qualifying for Counties is a challenging goal and a testament to a swimmer’s progress and commitment. The times are set to be tough, and not everyone may qualify. For those who don’t meet the times this season, there’s still a lot to celebrate! Improvement and personal bests (PBs) are always the most important markers of success.
Even if a swimmer doesn’t qualify this year, aiming for improvement, setting new PBs, and building race experience are all valuable achievements. Swimming is a journey, and every PB is a step forward. For those working toward Counties, each improvement lays the groundwork for future success, whether that’s reaching Counties next season or targeting new goals along the way.
Where Do the County Championships Fit in the Competitive Pathway?
The County Championships are a stepping stone toward higher levels of competition. Achieving county qualifying times can open doors to the South East Regional Championships, and from there, swimmers may pursue National Championships—the highest level of age-group competition in the country.
If you have any questions about County Championships, qualifying times, or upcoming licensed meets, please reach out. I’m here to support each swimmer on their journey, helping them set realistic goals and enjoy every milestone they achieve.