SWIMMING TASMANIA - SWIM MEET RULES Swimming Tasmania will hold the following meets each year: 1. Time Trials 2. Regional Medal Meets: Northern and Southern in both the LC and SC seasons 3. Tasmanian Long Course Championships: to be held each March Long weekend as a 4-day meet in Hobart 4. Tasmanian Long Course Sprint Championships - held in Launceston in early February in conjunction with the Tasmanian Long Course Relay Championships 5. Tasmanian Short Course Championships 6. Open Water Championships Clubs are permitted to apply for sanctioned meets. However, no Club will be permitted to conduct a club fixture during the period of any Swimming Tasmania meet. FINA All Swimming Tasmania events shall be conducted under the Rules and By-Laws of FINA as prescribed in the Handbook of the FINA, except in so far as they are varied by Swimming Australia Ltd (SAL) or Swimming Tasmania. Swimming Tasmania will conduct mixed Time Trials and may combine Male and Female events of the same age group when the number of entries for both Age Group are lower than 8. Swimming Tasmania may also combine Multi Class (MC) swimmers in with the relevant Age Group swimmers and the MC swimmer will be judged as per MC rules. SMOKING No smoking shall be permitted in any area designated for swimmers, either prior to or during competition. GENERAL RULES 1. Pool deck Clubs and coaches are not permitted to have tables or notice boards (including whiteboards) on the pool deck at any Swimming Tasmania event. 2. Seating Arrangements Designated seating arrangements will be posted prior to the start for Championship events. 3. Noise Control Musical instruments or other noise making equipment is not permitted at any Swimming Tasmania events. 4. Programmes 4.1. No printed programmes will be available for sale at any Swimming Tasmania Events.
4.2. Programmes will be available on the Swimming Tasmania website. 5. Officials 5.1. Officials are to report to the Chief Referee at least 30 minutes prior to the start of Time Trials and 45 minutes prior to a Medal Meet or Championship. 5.2. The role of Official and Club Team Leader may not be fulfilled at the same time. Officials are to remain on pool deck until the conclusion of all medal ceremonies. 6. Coaches 6.1. Coaches must have their current ASCTA Coaching Licence and Working with Children Check Cards available and will be asked to leave pool deck if they fail to produce their cards when asked to do so by officials. 7. Photography 7.1. Flash photography is not permitted at any time during Swimming Tasmania meets. 7.2. Access to pool deck, other than Officials, is not permitted during Swim meets. 7.3. Medal Presentation photos are not to be taken at the dais. 8. Junior Rules 8.1. Unless otherwise stated, the Junior Rule (for swimmers aged 10 years and under) applies to all Time Trials and Club Meets. The 'Junior Rule' is used to encourage rather than discourage junior or new swimmers to competition. 8.2. Generally when applying the rule, the following process applies: Officials have a sheet that they use to identify the infraction/s that a swimmer has committed and these are handed to the Referee at the end of each Heat/Event (when possible. These are passed on to the control room to be collected by Team Leaders and/or Coaches at the end of each meet. Coaches are then aware of the areas that the swimmer needs to work on for further events. 8.3. Ultimately the Referee has the discretion as to what action to take in relation to an infraction (by a junior swimmer or otherwise). The Referee may, for example, disqualify a swimmer who swims as 10U in Time Trials where he or she has attended previous meets, competed in the 11U Championships and has gained the experience and knowledge to know the rules. The Referee has the same discretion at Time Trials in relation to any new swimmer who is over the age of 10. 8.4. If a swimmer has received a Junior Rule Infraction Report, the time for that event will not be recorded and cannot be used as a legitimate time for Championships or SAL s JX program. Infraction reports are collected from the control room by team leaders when requested to do so.
9. Visiting Swimmers 9.1. Non-Australian citizens who have applied for Australian citizenship: If they have previously been a member of an international federation, must provide Swimming Tasmania with a statement from the federation concerned that they are no longer a member of that of that federation. Must provide Swimming Tasmania with evidence of their citizenship application having being lodged. May participate on the same terms and conditions as all other Swimming Tasmania members who are Australian citizens. 9.2. Non-Australian citizens who are not members of another international federation and who have not applied for Australian citizenship: If they have previously been a member of an international federation, must provide Swimming Tasmania with a statement from the federation concerned that they are no longer a member of that federation. Must be registered and shown in the program as a visitor. Cannot score points from their clubs. May compete in championship finals subject to the visitor rule for that event. May receive medals but shall not be recognised as official Swimming Tasmania placegetters in championship events. Are not eligible to hold Tasmanian records. Are eligible to hold Allcomers records. May only compete in relay teams if the team swims as an exhibition swim. 9.3. Members of another international federation: Must provide Swimming Tasmania with a clearance from their federation. Must be registered and shown in the program as a visitor. Cannot score points for their club. May compete in championship finals subject to the visitor rule for that event. May receive medals but shall not be recognised as official Swimming Tasmania placegetters in championship events. Are not eligible to hold Tasmanian records. Are eligible to hold Allcomers records. May only compete in relay teams if the team swims as an exhibition swim. 9.4. Members of interstate clubs: With the exception of swimmers registered with Swimming Victoria, must obtain a clearance from their State Association for all meets. Must be shown in the program as a visitor. May compete in championship finals subject to the visitor rule for that event. May receive medals but shall not be recognised as official placegetters in championship events. Are not eligible to hold Tasmanian records. Are eligible to hold Allcomers records. 9.5. Representation: In line with SAL policy non-resident swimmers may attend Nationals as visitors. Non-resident swimmers are not eligible to represent in development squads.
10. Entry Fees Non-resident swimmers may attend other SAL events by invitation and are not part of any official team. Entry fees, which will be determined annually by Swimming Tasmania, shall be charged for each individual entry and each team entry in all meets, with the fee charged appropriate to the relevant meet. 11. Entries and Qualifying Times 11.1. Unlimited entries for all individual and team events shall be accepted from club representatives, provided that such entry complies with the conditions of entry for that event. 11.2. Championship events require that the entry time submitted has been achieved within the stipulated period. 11 & under swimmers are required to have swum the event entered and have recorded a legitimate time. 11.3. For Tasmanian Long Course Championships, the qualifying times must be achieved in a 50m length pool. 11.4. For Tasmanian Short Course Championships, the qualifying times should be achieved in a 25m length pool. If the swimmer does not have a time in a 25m pool, then his/her time in a 50m pool is acceptable without any conversion factor. 11.5. The onus is on the swimmer to ensure that their entry time is correct. If it is found that their time has been erroneously entered in order to meet a qualifying time they will not be permitted to be awarded a medallion. 11.6. Entry cut off times are as follows: Entries for time trials close at midnight on the Monday evening prior to the meet. Individual entries for Championships and Medal Meets close at midnight on the Monday evening two (2) weeks prior to the event. Relay entries for Championships and medal meets close on the Thursday evening following the closure of individual entries. 12. Marshalling 12.1. Any swimmer who fails to report to the marshalling area at least five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled time for the start of the first event of each session, if entered in the first or second events, shall be deemed to be withdrawn. 12.2. Swimmers or their Team Leader are to advise the Clerk of Course of their intention to withdraw from a race as soon as possible. 12.3. If entered in subsequent events, swimmers are to report at least two (2) events prior to the event in which they are entered. 12.4. Swimmers may report for more than one (1) event if they are swimming in consecutive events or in events with up to two (2) events between. Swimmers who do not report shall be deemed to have withdrawn.
12.5. Swimmers who report to Marshalling late, or direct to the Check Starters, will be taken to the Referee to confirm they are eligible to compete in that event. 12.6. Only swimmers reporting for their event may be in the marshalling area at any given time. 12.7. Swimmers who do not remain seated in marshalling may be deemed as non-starters. 12.8. The marshalling board is to be used as a guide only. 12.9. Only swimmers or Team Leaders are allowed in the Marshalling area 13. Records 13.1. Swimming Tasmania shall recognise Tasmanian and Allcomers records in ages 11 and under, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18 years and Open. Records can only be set in the age group the swimmer is eligible for or Open. 13.2. Only Australian citizens who are resident in Tasmania are eligible to hold Tasmanian records. 13.3. Swimmers are deemed to have provisionally broken records until they lodge a written application, which is then processed by Swimming Tasmania. 14. Management of Competitions 14.1. The Meet Director appointed by Swimming Tasmania shall have jurisdiction over all matters not assigned by the Rules to the Referee, Judges or other officials and shall have power to postpone events and give directions consistent with the rules adopted for conducting any event. 14.2. A Technical Manager shall be appointed by Swimming Tasmania and shall be responsible for the conduct of all technical aspects of the meet. He/she shall ensure the decisions of the controlling body, which do not come within the jurisdiction of the Referee, are carried out and performed. The Technical Manager is responsible for obtaining and implementing the rule exceptions for swimmers with disability competing in the competition or event. 14.3. The Technical Manager and Meet Director shall agree on and authorise the Clerk of Course to make changes to Heats and Events in the event of amalgamation of events/heats. They Technical Manager shall approve any reseeded events. 14.4. In Championships/Medal Meets he/she will be the initial contact for any dealings with Coaches, Team Leaders or swimmers during the competition. 14.5. In Meets where there is no Technical Manager the Referee will takeover the duties of the Technical Manager. 14.6. For all swimming events conducted by Swimming Tasmania, the following minimum numbers of Technical Officials are considered desirable for the control of the competitions: Position Minimum Number Required Time Trials Referee* 1 1 Judges of Stroke 2 4 Minimum Number Required Championships and Medal Meets
Position Minimum Number Required Time Trials Starters* 1 1 Check Starters 2 2 Chief Timekeeper 1 1 Timekeepers per lane 1 1 Inspector of Turns - per end N.A. 2 Chief Recorder 1 1 Clerks of Course 1 1 Presentation Officers N.A. 1 Announcer 1 1 Operators - Automatic Officiating Equipment 1 1 Minimum Number Required Championships and Medal Meets 15. Referee Where automatic and semi-automatic Officiating Equipment is not available, such equipment must be replaced by three (3) Timekeepers per lane, each with digital watch. *In order for a meet to be sanctioned, the Starter and Referee must be qualified at Level 1. 15.1. The Referee shall have full control and authority over all Officials, approve their assignments, and instruct them regarding all special features or regulations related to the competitions. He/she shall enforce all rules and decisions of the FINA and Swimming Australia and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, the event or the competition, the Final settlement of which is not otherwise covered by the rules. 15.2. The Referee may intervene in the competition at any stage to ensure that the FINA, IPC and Swimming Australia regulations are observed, and shall adjudicate all protests related to the competition in progress. 15.3. The Referee shall ensure that all necessary officials are in their respective posts for the conduct of the competition. He/she may appoint substitutes for any who are absent, incapable of acting or found to be inefficient. He/she may appoint additional officials if considered necessary. 15.4. At the commencement of each event, the Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles inviting them to remove all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating that they should take their positions on the starting platform (or for backstroke swimming and medley relays, to immediately enter the water). A second long whistle shall bring the backstroke and medley relay swimmers immediately to the starting position. When the swimmers and Officials are prepared for the start, the Referee shall gesture to the Starter with a stretched-out arm, indicating that the swimmers are under the Starter's control. The stretched-out arm shall stay in that position until the start is given. 15.5. A disqualification for starting before the starting signal must be observed and confirmed by both the starter and the referee. 15.6. The Referee shall disqualify any swimmer for any violation of the rules that he personally observes. The Referee may also disqualify any swimmer for any violation reported to him by other authorised officials. All disqualifications are subject to the discretion of the Referee. 15.7. The Referee shall have the authority to commence a race prior to the swimmers in the previous race leaving the water.
16. A.O.E. Operator The A.O.E. Operator shall operate the automatic timing and judging equipment at the direction of the Referee, provide the times and placings recorded by the equipment, and inform the Referee of any recording malfunction. 17. Starter 17.1. The Starter shall have full control of the swimmers from the time the Referee turns the swimmers over to him (clause 13.4) until the race has commenced. 17.2. The Starter shall report a swimmer to the Referee for delaying the start, for wilfully disobeying an order or for any other misconduct taking place at the start, but only the Referee may disqualify a swimmer for such delay, wilful disobedience or misconduct. 17.3. The Starter shall have power to decide whether the start is fair, subject only to the decision of the Referee. 17.4. When starting an event, the Starter shall stand on the side of the pool within approximately five metres of the starting edge of the pool where the Timekeepers can see and or hear the starting signal and the swimmers can hear the signal. 18. Judge of Stroke (JOS) 18.1. Judges of Stroke shall be located on each side of the pool. 18.2. Each Judge of Stroke shall ensure that the rules related to the style of swimming designated for the event are being observed, and shall observe the turns and the finishes to assist the Inspector of Turns. 18.3. In meets where there is no Inspector of Turns appointed, the Judge of Stroke will fulfil both roles and position themselves to observe the swimmers in their jurisdiction accordingly. 18.4. Judges of Stroke shall report to the Referee any violation on signed cards, detailing the event, lane number, and the infraction. 19. Inspector of Turns (IOT) 19.1. IOTs shall be assigned to lanes at each end of the pool to ensure swimmers comply with the relevant rules after the start, for each turn, and at the finish. 19.2. Jurisdiction for the IOT at the start end commences from the start signal until the completion of the first arm stroke, except in Breaststroke where it shall be the second arm stroke. 19.3. For each turn, jurisdiction of IOT commences form the beginning of the last arm stroke before touching and ending with the completion of the first arm stroke after the turn, except in Breaststroke where it shall be the second arm stroke. 19.4. Jurisdiction for the IOT at the finish commences from the beginning of the last arm stroke before touching. 19.5. In individual events of 800m and 1500m, each IOT at the turning end of the pool shall record the number of laps completed by the swimmer in his lane and keep the swimmer informed of
the remaining number of laps to be completed by displaying lap cards showing odd numbers. 19.6. Each IOT at the starting end shall give a warning signal when the swimmer in his lane has two lengths plus five (5) metres to swim to finish in individual events of 800m and 1500m. The signal may be repeated after the turn until the swimmer has reached the five (5) metres mark on the lane rope. The warning signal may be by whistle or bell. 19.7. Each IOT at the starting end shall determine, in relay events, whether the starting swimmer is in contact with the starting platform when the preceding swimmer touches the starting wall. When automatic equipment which judges relay take-offs is available, it shall be used. 19.8. IOTs shall report to the Referee any violation on signed cards detailing the event, lane number and the infraction. 20. Announcer 20.1. The Announcer shall keep swimmers, officials and spectators informed in such a manner as to maintain a high level of interest in all aspects of the meet. 20.2. All announcements shall be made at the direction of the Referee and Meet Manager or their authorised representative. 21. Clerk of Course 21.1. The Clerk of Course shall record the intention of the swimmer by highlighting or deleting their name from the marshalling sheet prior to the event. 21.2. The Clerk of Course shall mark any swimmer who does not report at least 2 events prior to their race as a withdrawal. 21.3. The Clerks of Course shall report to the Referee any violation noted in regard to advertising and if a swimmer is not present when called. 22. Check Starters 22.1. The Check Starters shall receive the swimmers from the Clerks of Course and direct them to their starting positions in heats and finals. 22.2. The Check Starter will present any swimmer who reports late or does not report via the Clerk of Course to the Referee or Technical Manager prior to the commencement of their race to determine their eligibility for compete in that race. 23. Chief Timekeeper 23.1. The Chief Timekeeper shall ensure that all allocated Timekeepers are in the lanes for which they are responsible. It is advisable that there shall be one (1) Timekeeper for each lane. 23.2. If Automatic Officiating Equipment is not used, there shall be two (2) additional Timekeepers designated, either of whom shall be directed to replace a Timekeeper whose watch did not start or stopped during an event, or who for any other reason is not able to record the time. 23.3. When using digital watches per lane, final time and place is determined by time. 23.4. When only one (1) Timekeeper per lane is available, an extra Timekeeper must be assigned in case of a malfunction of a stopwatch. In addition, the Chief Timekeeper must always record the time of the winner of each heat.
23.5. A copy of Chief Timekeeper s duties is available on the Swimming Tasmania website. 24. Timekeepers 24.1. Each Timekeeper shall take the time of the swimmers in the lane assigned to him/her. The watches shall be certified correct to the satisfaction of the Technical Manager. 24.2. Each Timekeeper shall start his/her watch at the starting signal, and shall stop it when the swimmer in his/her lane has completed the race. Timekeepers will start their watches even if they do not have a swimmer in their lane and shall stop it once the last swimmer has returned to the wall at the completion of the race. 24.3. Timekeepers may be instructed by the chief Timekeeper to record times at intermediate distances in races longer than 100m. 24.4. Promptly after the race, the Timekeepers in each lane shall record the times of their watches on the program provided against their respective lane number. Their watches must be cleared at the short whistle of the Referee announcing the following race. 24.5. A copy of the Timekeepers role is available on the Swimming Tasmania website. 25. Official's Decision Making Officials shall make their decision autonomously and independently of each other unless otherwise provided in the Swimming Rules. 26. Presentation Officers (Medal Meets and Championships) At the direction of the Meet Director, the Presentation Officers are to prepare and conduct the placed swimmers for the presentation of awards, any other presentation that may be required, and swimmers selected for media interviews. 27. Advertising A competitor, when in the water or at a medal presentation, is not permitted to wear any visible form of advertising exceeding 20 square centimetres in size. 28. Costumes 28.1. The costumes of all swimmers shall be in good moral taste and suitable for the individual sports discipline. 28.2. All costumes shall be non-transparent. 28.3. The Referee of a competition has the authority to exclude any competitor whose costume does not comply with this rule. 28.4. Men s swimwear is limited to one (1) swimsuit that covers at most the body surface from navel to knee. Swimwear may not extend above the navel or below the knees. 28.5. Women s swimwear is limited to one (1) swimsuit that is of open back and open shoulder designs that may extend down to the knee. Swimwear must not extend below the knees. Swimwear must not have a zipper or any type of fastening devices except for a waist tie on traditional swimsuits.
28.6. Suits must be of textile material and must not contain any non-textile material such as polyurethane or neoprene. 29. Presentation Ceremony 29.1. Swimmers are to attend the medal presentation area immediately they are advised to do so. Where a Swimmer is unable to be present a representative is to be delegated. 29.2. All Swimmers are to wear a shirt when receiving Medals. Swimmers must not attend the presentation ceremony wearing a towel. 29.3. Swimmers should not remove their medal from around their neck until they have departed the medal presentation area. 30. Medallions 30.1. The winner, second, and third place-getters in each Championship shall receive a medallion. The first medallion shall be of gold colour, the second medallion shall be of silver colour, and the third of bronze colour. No medal shall be awarded if the place-getter fails to achieve the qualifying time set for the event. 30.2. The first swimmer eligible to represent Tasmania to finish in each Championship shall receive the title of Tasmanian Champion. In the event of any swimmer who is not eligible to represent Tasmania gaining 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, a medallion shall be awarded similar to that given by Swimming Tasmania to any eligible swimmer gaining such a place. 31. Team Leaders 31.1. Clubs must nominate a "responsible Team Leader" for all Swimming Tasmania meets, medal meets and Championships. 31.2. This person will be responsible for any dealings with the Referee or Recording room on behalf of their club. These dealings include protests, queries regarding times etc. 31.3. The "Team Leader" is the only club member permitted to approach the Referee or Recorders during the swim meet. 31.4. The role of Official and Club Team Leader may not be fulfilled at the same time. 31.5. A copy of the Team Leaders responsibilities is available on Swimming Tasmania website. 32. Warm Up Procedures 32.1. There will be at least two (2) lanes available for warm up/cool down during all Swimming Tasmania events. Swimmers are asked to use these lanes for the purpose of warming up or cooling down and not for socialising. 32.2. Entry into the water for Warm Up will be by pin drop only and away from any Marshalling areas. 32.3. Team Leaders must ensure Swimmers are behaving appropriately in this area. 32.4. The following warm up times apply: Time Trials - 30 minutes Medal Meets - 40 minutes Championships - either 60 or 90 minutes depending on the number of entries
32.5. Two (2) Diving lanes (lanes 1 and 8) will be available before the close of the warm up session: 33. Start for Time Trials or Medal Meets - 20 minutes before the close of the warm up for Championships - 30 minutes after the start of warm up when using dive lanes in the 50 metre pool swimmers may swim 25 metres from start end for 100 metre events and over and only 15 metres from the 50 metres start end of the pool. 33.1. For all Time Trials and Heat events all races will start "over the top". 33.2. For all starts, except Backstroke, swimmers in the water must move to the side of the lane against the wall and remain still, not touching the Timing Pads. 33.3. For Backstroke starts swimmers in the water must move at least 1m up the lane rope and remain still, not touching the Timing Pads. 33.4. All swimmers entering the water for the start of Backstroke events must use a "pin drop" feet first entry and immediately take up their starting position. 33.5. For Final events swimmers will be cleared from the pool at the conclusion of each event. 34. Relays 34.1. Relay teams (including names) are to be nominated with the online entries. Payment of the entry fee for relays must be made prior to the event. 34.2. Alterations to teams are to be made on relays sheets, which are to be submitted to marshalling a minimum of 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of a session on each day of competition. After that time no further changes to the nominated swimmers in a team will be accepted unless a swimmer becomes injured or ill, then the change may be accepted by the Technical Manager or the Referee. Swimmers not named as a reserve(s) in a relay team are not eligible to replace a nominated swimmer. 34.3. Swimmers are to swim in the order submitted. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. 34.4. Any relay team member may compete in a race only once. 34.5. Clubs may enter as many relay teams as they wish, however, only a maximum of two relay teams from each club are eligible to gain medals. 34.6. Age Group Relays: Swimmers may only swim in one age group freestyle relay and one age group medley relay. Clubs may combine swimmers however they will be swum as an exhibition swim and will not be eligible for medals or points. 34.7. Visitors may compete in relays teams but those teams are not eligible to win medals, set Tasmanian records or gain points. 35. Pacing 35.1. No pace-making shall be permitted, nor may any device be used, or plan adopted, which has that effect. Where any person, including, without limitation, a coach, parent, spectator,
or other competitor, walks along the pool concourse with a competing swimmer(s), this will be considered as pacing and may result in the disqualification of the relevant swimmer(s). RULES SPECIFIC TO CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS 1. Who can swim in Tasmanian Championship Events? 1.1. Only Active, Financial, Swimming members of Swimming Tasmania shall nominate to compete at Tasmanian Championships as per the ClubLane database. 1.2. All entries are to be submitted through the Swimming Tasmania website via the online entry system. 1.3. Visiting swimmers (non-australian citizens and interstate) please refer to the Visiting Swimmers policy. 1.4. Each competitor entered shall submit to doping control tests when so determined 2. Venues for Tasmanian Championship Events Tasmanian Championships shall be conducted in an indoor heated 50m pool not less than 25m wide with not less than 8 lanes and with adequate: Automatic Officiating Equipment; semi-automatic timing; seating for competitors and public; and warm-up and swim-down facilities. 3. Age Each entrant for a limited age competition must be of the stipulated age on the first day of the meet and shall produce, on request of Swimming Tasmania, a birth certificate or statutory declaration as to his/her age to the Meet Director. 4. Qualifying Times 4.1. Swimming Tasmania shall adopt a qualifying time for each distance and stroke for all Tasmanian Championships. 4.2. Advice of the approved qualifying times shall be supplied in the event details no later than 2 months prior to each Tasmanian Championship meet. 4.3. The qualifying times must be achieved at any time after 1 January in the year prior to the year in which the Championships are held. 4.4. Qualifying Times will also be posted on the Swimming Tasmania website and updated at the beginning of each season. 5. 1500m and 800m Championship Events 5.1. Heats of the 1500m and 800m Championships will be swum as a combined open event with swimmers seeded accordingly (this means that events for individual age groups will not be held separately). The swimmers will be seeded in heats according to the fastest declared times, the first heat being the fastest heat group, the second heat the next succeeding group, etc. until completed. The sequence shall be on the basis of the slowest heat first and the
fastest heat last. Places shall be awarded on a time (i.e. no final will be held) with swimmers only eligible for medals in the actual event they have entered. 5.2. Age group swimmers who wish to be considered for the Open events must enter both their own age group event and the Open event. 5.3. When a championship event is in heats and finals format, all heats of 800m and 1500m will be held during heats sessions. 6. Timed Finals Events 6.1 All MC Timed Finals will be held during the Finals sessions. 6.2 All other Timed Finals will be held during the Heats sessions. 7. Disqualifications 7.1. Where a competitor who competes in a final is disqualified for any reason, including medical control, the position he/she would have held shall be awarded to the competitor who finishes next. All lower placed swimmers in the final shall be advanced one place. 7.2. If the disqualification occurs after the presentation of awards, the awards shall be returned and presented to the appropriate swimmers applying the aforesaid provisions. 8. Who can compete in Finals? In all Finals only two lanes will be available to non-tasmania swimmers or visitors who qualify for such final or B-final respectively. This Rule also applies to the fastest seeded heat of a timed final. 9. B Finals B Finals will be conducted for all Championship 100m and 50m events where 25 or more competitors have competed in the heats of the event. For example, if 27 swimmers entered the event but only 24 actually swim in the heats no B final would be swum. 10. Withdrawals from Finals 10.1. At Tasmanian Championships, finalist or reserve swimmers wishing to withdraw from an event must do so within 5 minutes of the posting of results for the last individual event of each heat session. The withdrawal must be submitted in writing, signed by the competitor or his/her authorised representative. 10.2. Swimmers not withdrawing using this method within the stated timeframe who fail to report for a final event shall be deemed a late withdrawal and the swimmer or relay team is registered shall be fined the sum of $20.00 AUD. 10.3. The exception to this rule is in cases of medical hardship. 10.4. The Technical Manager shall determine the acceptability on all matters where medical reasons or hardships are claimed and his/her determination shall be final 11. Protests 11.1. Protests are possible: (a) if the rules and regulations for the conduct of the competition are not observed; (b) if other conditions endanger the competition and/or swimmers; or
(c) against the decisions of the Referee; however, no protests shall be allowed against decisions of fact. 11.2. Protests must be submitted: (a) to the Referee; (b) in writing; (c) by the responsible team leader only; (d) together with a deposit of $50; (e) within thirty (30) minutes following the announcement of the infraction; and (f) within thirty (30) minutes following the posting of results in open water. If all conditions causing a potential protest are noted prior to the competition, a protest must be lodged before the Starter's signal is given. 11.3. Video or photos may be used or shown to the Referee at their discretion during the initial protest. The Jury of Appeal may also view these in the process of reaching their decision. 11.4. All protests shall be considered by the Referee. If he/she rejects the protest, they must state his/her reasons. The team leader may appeal against the rejection to the Jury of Appeal, whose decision shall be final. 11.5. If the protest is rejected, the deposit will be forfeited to Swimming Tasmania. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be returned. 12. Jury of Appeal The Jury of Appeal for all Swimming Tasmania Championships will be made up of three (3) Referees present, who are on the Tasmanian Referee list, and who are not involved in the protest. In the event of three Referees not being available, then the Swimming Tasmania Technical Manager or Meet Director shall fill any vacancy. 13. Multi Class Competition 13.1. Tasmanian Championship events for classified swimmers with a disability shall be conducted in Multi Class (MC) format. Competitors must hold an eligible classification. They must produce their classification card to the Technical Manager prior to the start of each event. 13.2. Placings for each event shall be determined using the Multi Class Point Score System. 13.3. A classified swimmer may require assistance from support staff. Support staff is any person designated to assist a swimmer as defined in the SAL Swimming Rules. 14. Open Water Championships 14.1. Swimming Tasmania shall each year conduct the Tasmanian Open Water Championships over a distance of five (5) kilometres at an approved open water venue and time that is deemed suitable and providing that an accredited Open Water Referee is available to run the event and sufficient water safety is available. 14.2. Unless ten (10) or more entries are received the event will not proceed. 14.3. There will be separate events for men and women. 14.4. The minimum age for these events shall be 14 years as at the day of the event.
14.5. Age Groups shall be 14-15 years,16-18 years and Open. Age group swimmers who wish to be considered for Open events must enter both their own age group event and the Open event. RULES SPECIFIC TO REGIONAL MEDAL MEETS 1. Who can swim in Regional Medal Meet Events? 1.1. Only Active, Financial, Swimming members of Swimming Tasmania shall nominate to compete at Medal Meets as per the ClubLane database. 1.2. All entries are to be submitted through the Swimming Tasmania website via the online entry system. 1.3. Non-Australian citizens who are registered with a State Association and meet the entry qualifying time are permitted to enter. Such swimmers will be classed as 'visitors' and will not be able to hold any Titles or Tasmanian Records. Nor will these swimmers be able to score points for a club. 1.4. Swimmers must swim in their own region. If for some reason swimmers are unable to attend their own meet they may compete in the meet outside their region but are not eligible to receive a medal. 2. Age Each entrant for a limited age competition must be of the stipulated age on the day of the meet and shall produce, on request of Swimming Tasmania, a birth certificate or statutory declaration as to his/her age to the Meet Director. 3. Qualifying Times There are no qualifying times for Regional Medal Meet events. FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES A verbal warning will be issued by an Official nominated by Swimming Tasmania, followed by a written caution for a repeat breach of behavior. A copy will be given to Swimming Tasmania. For serious or continual breaches, the coach and/or the swimmer and/or club can be prohibited from participating in the swim meet. Repeated offences may attract penalties in relation to future swim meets. Updated 16 January 2018