Swim Ireland closed down its national competitions and events program until September 1 today as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The news comes with a call for all to observe lockdown measures and avoid training, that directive aimed at the National Team as much as club swimmers.
In a statement, Swim Ireland noted:
“Swim Ireland’s strongest possible advice regarding training is to continue with the cessation of all pool-based sessions and sessions in facilities such as gyms, sports halls etc. until further notice. This includes those who were training for a July 2020 Olympic Games, including the athletes in our National Centres. We urge you to cease training with immediate effect. This direction will be reviewed on a regular basis.”
The federation notice to members in full:
The following update provides Swim Ireland clubs further direction and guidance in relation to the Swim Ireland National and Regional Competitive Season and training considering recent communication from the Irish and UK Governments and the International Olympic Committee regarding Covid-19.
National and Regional Competitive Season – Swimming, Diving, Water Polo
Swim Ireland announces today that all Regional and National competitions originally scheduled to take place between now and the end of this season (August 2020) will no longer take place (further detail on HERE). This decision has not been taken lightly and follows the most recent decrees of both the Irish and UK governments.
We felt that it was important at this time to reassure our athletes and all of those who work with and for them that there is no urgent need during these difficult times to be back in a swimming pool to prepare for a Regional or National competition. For those of our members, for whom the pinnacle of your swimming season was to compete in their Regional Championships, the Irish Open Championships, Irish Summer National Championships or the Irish National Division 2 Competition, we understand that this news is likely to be disappointing. However we were concerned that there might be a level of stress and anxiety related to competitions still on the horizon, whilst the opportunity to train in the pool was not available and we felt that it was important to give you clarity on the matter to allow any such worries to end.
The National Water Polo Committee have also determined that it will not be possible to fully complete the 2019/20 National Fixtures schedule. Accordingly, all competitions are suspended until 01 September 2020 and may remain further suspended until government guidelines permit resumption of activities.
Please see attached document HERE for further information on Water Polo activities.
For clarification on Regional & National Competitive Events:
Swimming: Season closed until September 2020
Swimming (Masters): Season closed until September 2020
Water Polo: Season closed until September 2020
Diving: Season closed until September 2020
Open Water: As season has not yet started, will be monitored and advice given at a later stage.
Club Competitive Activities
As the health and welfare of our members is of paramount importance, Swim Ireland directs all clubs to cancel all galas and competitions for the rest of the 2019/20 Season.
Physical meetings and any social or fundraising activities should also be on hold based on current government advices.
Club Training
Swim Ireland’s strongest possible advice regarding training is to continue with the cessation of all pool-based sessions and sessions in facilities such as gyms, sports halls etc. until further notice. This includes those who were training for a July 2020 Olympic Games, including the athletes in our National Centres. We urge you to cease training with immediate effect. This direction will be reviewed on a regular basis.
We encourage our members to stay fit and active, within government and HSE/Public Health guidelines and we will work each and every week on providing you with the means and method of doing this, so when the time is right to jump back into you pool, you are in a good place to resume your training and preparation for a new season ahead.
Swim Ireland will of course continue to act in all other ways on behalf of their members and their clubs through our Membership team, Education Department, Youth Development team and Participation Department. We will liaise with the experts within our Performance team to provide you with the best possible information that we can and we feel that we have already started to do this with you over the most recent weeks. And your input is important too! If you have something that you want to share, that helps keep us bonded as an aquatics community and wider family that we know we are, then send that through to us and we will share and engage with you as much as we possibly can.
If clubs have queries or concerns, please contact your Club Support Officer who will be able to provide you with assistance.
We continue to monitor the situation very carefully and will issue further advice to our clubs and members as this become available. Please continue to regularly check the Swim Ireland website for further updates and contact Swim Ireland if you have any urgent questions or concerns.