The start list for swimmers at the 2026 MetSEA Youth Winter Championships is now available.
Please check and advise the Competitions Coordinator of any problems as soon as possible
by John Owen
The start list for swimmers at the 2026 MetSEA Youth Winter Championships is now available.
Please check and advise the Competitions Coordinator of any problems as soon as possible
by John Owen
Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia NSW Branch (SCTA NSW) would like to offer swimmers aged 16 years and over from the Metro South East Area free enrolment in Foundation Coach Course at the 2026 SCTA NSW Conference.
The course will be held on Saturday, 18 July 2026, at Cranbrook School and provides a fantastic introduction to swim coaching for swimmers who may be interested in giving back to the sport, developing leadership skills or exploring future coaching opportunities.
I hope that SCTA NSW and MetSEA work together to get the word out to eligible swimmers.
Contact Ben Jenkinson <ben@firstsplashes.com.au>
by John Owen
◾ The MetSEA Youth (8-10yrs) Winter Championships will be held at the Murray Rose Aquatic Centre, Cranbrook on Sunday 14th June 2026.
Entries online via Swim Central.
Entries Close on or before 4th June, 2026. OR entry limit is reached.
Program details
◾ The MetSEA Senior (11yrs and over) Winter Championships will be held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Homebush on the weekend of 20-21 June 2026.
Entries online via Swim Central.
Entries Close on or before 11th June, 2026. OR entry limit is reached.
◾ TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
Please nominate on Swim Central. If you prefer, you can contact SAMANTHA directly, as she can manually raise nominations for you. Don’t let this stop you from nominating.
If you have any preferences for roles, or want pool deck experience (eg Starters, JOS, Refereeing, please send her an email.
by John Owen
The 19th Annual General Meeting of Swimming Metro South East Incorporated will be held as follows:
DATE: Thursday 25th June, 2026
TIME: 7.30pm
LOCATION: Via Zoom. Link to be provided to delegates, life members and visitors prior to date upon registration.
Click to view Notice (updated 1/6/26)
Click to view Nomination forms for Executive and Standing Committees
Please consider nominating for Executive positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Development Committee Co-ordinator, Area Technical Swimming Committee Co-ordinator, Competition Co-ordinator or Public Relations.
Please also consider nominating for the Selection Committee, Development Committee, the Area Technical Swimming Committee, or the Competition Committee.
Form to be returned by 15th June 2026.
Click to view Delegate registration form Form to be returned by 18th June 2026.
by John Owen
Swimming NSW introduced its latest update to rules on 1st May 2026.
These changes affect 400m freestyle; breaststroke & butterfly turns; finishes for freestyle & butterfly; and taping.
400m Freestyle:
SW2.6.6 In individual Freestyle races of 400m, 800m and 1500m, each Inspector of Turns at the starting and turning end of the pool will record the number of laps completed by the swimmer in the lane monitored. The swimmer will be informed of the remaining number of laps to be completed by the display of “lap cards” that show-odd numbers at the turning end of the pool. The “lap cards” must be displayed either at deck level or in the water (at the LOC’s discretion based on availability at the venue). Electronic equipment for the same purpose, including underwater display may be used.; and (WA SW2.6.6)
SW2.6.7 Each Inspector of Turns at the starting end will give a warning signal when the swimmer in their lane has two laps plus five 5m to swim to finish in individual freestyle races of 400m, 800m and 1500m. The signal must be repeated after the turn until the swimmer has reached the 5m mark on the lane rope. The warning signal may be by a whistle or bell. (WA SW2.6.7)
Freestyle finish:
SW5.4 Once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the 5m mark, immediately prior to reaching for the finish wall, the swimmer may be completely submerged.
Breaststroke start and turn:
SW7.2 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be on the breast. (WA SW7.2)
SW7.3 It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time, except at the turn after the touch of the wall when it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast from the beginning of the first arm stroke after leaving the wall. . . . (WA SW 7.3)
Butterfly start and turn:
SW8.1 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and each turn, the Athlete’s body must be on the breast. (WA SW8.1)
SW 8.2 It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time, except at the turn after the touch of the wall when it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast from the beginning of the first arm stroke after leaving the wall. (WA SW8.2)
Taping:
SW10.19 . . . Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the Referee. As a consequence of injury, it is permissible to tape not more than one or two fingers or toes. Any other kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the Technical Manager and Referee.
Source: Swimming NSW Policies and Procedures https://nsw.swimming.org.au/sites/default/files/assets/documents/SNSW%20Rules%20May%202026.pdf
by John Owen
