The National Arena Swimming League (previously the National Speedo Swimming League) is, as its title states, a national competition involving teams entered from clubs from all over England and Wales. It is broken down into seven regions (East Midlands, South, London, North East, North West, Western and West Midlands), with the City of Cardiff Swimming Club competing in the Western League.
The Western Region includes clubs from as far afield as Bournemouth (Dorset), Truro (Cornwall), Swindon (Wiltshire) and Pembrokeshire. There are four 'divisions' within the league (Premier, One Two and Three).
There are three rounds in the competition, these being held in October, November and December. There are then two National finals, which are held in April or May of the next year. The locations for each round vary, and are usually published a few weeks before the event is due to take place.
We have two teams swimming in the competiton. This year, the 'A' team is competing in the Premier division, and the 'B' team swimming in Division One. Each team has male and female swimmers in age groups 11 and under, 13 and under, 15 and under and Open. There is a maximum of six male and six female swimmers per age group. Each age group swims a freestyle relay team, a medley relay team, and all four individual events.
The first National Speedo League cup final was held at Crystal Palace in 1970. City of Cardiff were winners of the cup final in 1975. The B final has been in existence since 2001, having been first held at Sheffield.
In the 2006 competition, the City of Cardiff came 6th in the B final, held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield on 22nd April 2007. In the 2007 competition, the Club came first in the 'B' Final, again held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, on 11th May 2008. In the 2008 competition, City of Cardiff defended their title, again winning the 'B' final, and also the Relay Challenge trophy, in a closely fought contest at Ponds Forge on the 26th April 2009. In the final of 2009 competition, held at Ponds Forge on the 25th April 2010, we again defended our title and became the first winners under the sponsorship of Arena.