Jo Stalley

Swim England East Region has recently been advised by Active Luton that spectators will not be permitted to attend next month’s Short Course Championships. In making this decision, the pool providers, Active Luton, were mindful of rising COVID rates both nationally and in the local area and the need for the balcony area to be available to help accommodate athletes and coaches to avoid overcrowding.

Swim England East Region is very aware of the part parents play in supporting the sport, and therefore regrets that parents, and other family members, will not be able to attend.  However, our primary duty is to comply with the conditions imposed by the pool provider so that the competition can go ahead.

We accept that it isn’t the same but, as for the competitions held across the summer, the event will be live streamed and we are also exploring the option of hiring a local facility for those parents who live too far to make multiple journeys to ‘wait and watch’, although this is yet to be confirmed.

Parents may also like to consider taking the opportunity to help at the event.  Although the applications for technical officials have now closed, the region is still seeking volunteers to help fill a number of ‘field of play’ roles, particularly event marshals.  If you are a Swim England member, and would like to assist in this way, please complete the Poolside Volunteer Application Form at https://eastswimming.org/swimming/swimming-officials-application-to-officiate/