AIC Swimming Championships - Friday 26 February 2021

17 February 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians

AIC Swimming Championships – Friday 26 February 2021

The AIC swim season will reach its conclusion on Friday 26 February with the annual AIC Swimming
Championships to be held at Chandler. This letter will outline some important details regarding
arrangements we have in place up until the day of the Championships.
This Friday, 19 February, all members of the AIC Swim Squad will be acknowledged at our College
Assembly which will be held in Goold Hall from 10.35am. Given the COVID-19 restrictions only two
parents per open swimmer may attend. Seating will be made available for these parents at the back of
the Hall spaced 1.5m apart. We ask parents to sign in using the QR codes situated on the tables in the
foyer of Goold Hall. Parents are asked to arrive by 10.30am.
Our final swim team, who will compete at the AIC Swimming Championships, will be selected based on
times recorded at the AIC swim meets held throughout the season. Unfortunately, not every student
who has trained throughout the season will swim on the day of the Championship. We do, however,
recognise each swimmer’s importance within our squad and the efforts they have made, so every
member of the will be acknowledged at this week’s assembly. All swimmers who have consistently
trained and attended the AIC swim meets will travel to Chandler next Friday either as a competitor or a
reserve. Buses will transport your son to and from Chandler on the day of the Championship.
The last AIC Swim meet for the season will be held at St Peter’s Lutheran College Pool from 3.45 -
5.45pm this Friday 19 February. This meet is important as it is the last opportunity for all swimmers to
post a good time to make the team.
The full list of the Villanova College Swim Team, including the competitor list for each event will be
posted on the website by noon next Tuesday 23 February.
Normal training times will continue until next Thursday 25 February. We ask all swimmers to attend all
remaining swim sessions as a priority so that we can practice relay changes, starts and finishes for the
Championships. It is critical that the boys arrive 10 minutes before the allocated training session, so that
warm up can begin promptly at either 6.30 or 7.00am depending on the day.
Next Friday 26 February, on the day of the AIC Swimming Championships, we ask all swimmers (and
reserves) to meet the swim managers promptly at 6.40am in the Middle School Quadrangle wearing
their swim uniform (Villanova squad shirt and PE shorts). The boys will receive some final team
instructions before a team photo is taken at 6.45am before departing the College for Chandler at
7.00am. The carnival will conclude by 1.30pm with presentations. We ask all swimmers to travel as a
team to the Championships on the buses provided. Parents may transport their son/s home directly after
the carnival.
All students are to wear the College squad shirt and their College sports shorts to the AIC Championship
– NO EXCEPTIONS. If your son has not yet purchased his shirt, he must do so immediately from the
College Uniform Shop. The boys must compete in Villanova racing togs/or jammers or any plain
coloured togs (no multi-coloured togs are permitted in the AIC rules) and the Villanova swim cap. The

swim cap was distributed free of charge to all swimmers earlier in the season. Please be aware that only
one pair of togs may be worn, to meet with QSA and AIC regulations.
Boys should bring their own food and plenty of water to drink on the day of the Championships. Food
for the day should be light and easily digestible. As we are trying to encourage our athletes to follow a
healthy diet, we ask our swimmers not to buy any food at the canteen until after their events.
Please find attached an ‘order of events’ schedule for the Championships.
SPECTATORS
Please find below an excerpt from a statement provided by the AIC Management Committee which was
emailed to all families on Monday 15 February regarding spectators at the AIC Swimming
Championships.
We have been informed that, in order to comply with directives from Stadiums Queensland and
adhere to Queensland Health requirements, the venue’s COVID-safe plan prevents shouting, cheering,
hugs, high fives and other similar activities. Spectators are assigned specific seats and not permitted
to move around the venue. The AIC accept these restrictions and understand why they are needed.

These restrictions make it difficult for student spectators to attend and fully participate in our AIC
Swimming Championships. We know that our students want to enthusiastically encourage and
support their schoolmates. Therefore, the AIC Management Committee has decided not to have
student supporters attend this year’s Championships.

Parents and caregivers are very welcome to attend the event, following the COVID-safe
requirements at all times. Parents must acquire a ticket and be allocated a seat in order to comply
with the venue’s COVID-safe Plan. Parents and adult spectators can obtain tickets via the following
link from 9.00am Wednesday February 17. The booking portal will close at 7.00pm on Thursday
February 25. The booking link is: https://www.trybooking.com/BOXMJ

Therefore, parents and friends may attend the AIC Swim Championship BUT they must book a ticket
using the TryBooking link. Please be reminded of the following:

    •   The booking portal will open at 9.00am Wednesday February 17
        https://www.trybooking.com/BOXMJ
    •   The booking portal will close at 7.00pm Thursday February 25
    •   Tickets are to be printed out and presented at the entrance to the Eastern Grandstand. All
        competitors will be seated in the Western Grandstand. Parents are not to mingle or go over to
        Western Grandstand at any stage during the event, nor are the competitors allowed over to the
        Eastern stand.
    •   In case you are asked, if tickets cannot be printed out or not presented, there will be a printed
        report of all ticket buyers given to the venue ushers. It is in your best interest to have all tickets
        printed before you enter the venue so that you do not get held up in any queues.
    •   Parents may collect their son after the event from the venue. Alternatively, a return bus service
        to the College will be available. Boys should arrive back to school for normal departure at
        3.00pm.

In case of an emergency on the day of the Championship, please call Mrs Juanita Jacobs 0417 777 501.

AIC Swimming – Key Dates

Friday 19 February

    •   College Assembly at 10.35 in Goold Hall to acknowledge swimmers. Two parents per open
        swimmer are permitted to attend this event.
    •   Final time trial at St Peter’s Lutheran College. Bus transportation is provided to and from this
        event.

Tuesday 23 February
   • The Villanova Swim Team list will be published on the website by noon.

Thursday 25 February
   • The final swim training session for the season will be held at Langlands Pool.

Friday 26 February - AIC Swim Championships at Chandler Pool

    •   The swim squad meets in the Middle School quadrangle at 6.40am for a team brief and photo
    •   Bus departs the College for Chandler at 7.00am
    •   Arrive at Chandler 7.30am, warm up 8.00am-8.30am, first event at 8.45am
    •   Presentations are between 1.15pm-1.30pm
    •   Bus departs Chandler at 1.45pm and returns to the College
    •   Parents may collect their son from Chandler or back at the College at 3.00pm

We wish our entire squad the very best in the lead up to the Championships and on the day itself. I hope
the boys enjoy the experience of representing their College. Please be assured that the entire College
community is behind the team and wishes them all the best.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Juanita Jacobs                                        Mr Craig Stariha
Villanova Swimming Coordinator                            Director of Sport