What are the Gloucester Blocks (County) and Western Counties (Districts)?
An important event in the annual calendar is the ‘Gloucester Blocks’ which are the Gloucester County Championships. To enter swimmers need to have bettered a qualifying time in a gala or a time trial. This is a county event where children from many clubs in Gloucestershire compete. Children get individual recognition and may win medals. These achievements contribute to scores for the Club. Children swimming at this level are said to achieve ‘county’ times. These are for 10 years and over. The next level up is the ‘Western Counties’ (District) galas for which the qualifying times are more difficult and after that the ‘Nationals’ where the level is higher still. Only a few children will reach this level, but they may all wish to aspire to it! Western Counties is for 10 years and over, Nationals for 11 years and over.
