2013

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING AUSTRALIA OPEN AND AGE GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

MELBOURNE 4 7 APRIL 2013

INFORMATION PACKAGE SEPTEMBER 2012

EVENT INFORMATION Dates: Thursday April 4th Sunday April 7th 2013 Venue: Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre 1 Aughtie Drive Albert Park, VIC, 3206 AUSTRALIA Rules: Competition will be conducted under the rules of FINA 2009-2013 and Synchronized Swimming Australia Inc.

ENTRY INFORMATION The entry process will be conducted in two stages. Stage 1 Preliminary Entries Clubs will be required to indicate the number of events to be contested and the number of expected entries per event. Preliminary entries are to be completed online at www.vssi.org.au/Nationals2013.html Preliminary entries will close on Monday December 31st 2012. Stage 2 Final Entries Clubs are required to indicate the events being contested and provide athlete names and dates of births. Final entries will also be completed online and more information will be communicated once preliminary entries have closed. Final entries will be required no later than Friday February 15th 2013. All enquiries regarding entries should be forwarded via email to Competition Manager, Matthew Jolly: sdo@vssi.org.au

ENTRY FEES Figures: Routines: No Fee $40 per swimmer per event

Entry fees are applicable to all swimmers, including reserves, named for Solo, Duet, Team and Combination events.

PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEES Payment of fees will be incorporated into the online registration and will need to be made when completing final registration. Payment details will be provided at this time. All payments must be received, by Victorian Synchronized Swimming, in full, prior to the close of final entries on Friday February 15 th 2013.

JUDGES, OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS All individuals who intend to judge, officiate or volunteer in any capacity throughout the duration of the championships will need to register as such through the online registration form that is being used for swimmer registrations. To register as a judge, official or volunteer please visit www.vssi.org.au/Nationals2013.html and select the judges, officials, volunteers option when registering. It would be greatly appreciated if this information regarding judges, officials and volunteers could be forwarded to anyone from your club or association who may be interested in being involved with these championships. Judge, official, and volunteer registrations will close on Monday December 31 st 2012. Any enquiries relating to judges, officials and volunteers should be directed, via email, to Competition Manager, Matthew Jolly: sdo@vssi.org.au

COMPETITION SCHEDULE Date Thursday April 4 Event 16:00 Team Managers Meeting Draws for Figure Groups and Order of Appearance 18:00 Official Welcome Event Friday April 5 08:00 Training with music Figures Competition Saturday April 6 09:00 Solos Open Technical Routines Opening Ceremony Teams Sunday April 7 09:00 Solos Duets Combination Closing Ceremony *Times are approximate only and will be confirmed closer to the competition date. TEAM MANAGERS MEETING The team managers meeting will be held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Thursday April 4. It is imperative that each club has at least one representative present at the meeting. The Chief Referee and Competition Manager will be presenting important information regarding rules and operating procedures. All final entries will be confirmed and the Figures Draws and Draws for Order of Appearance will be made. Time

WELCOME EVENT An official Welcome Event for all judges, officials, volunteers, competitors and their families will be held on Thursday April 4th following the team managers meeting. More information regarding this event will be provided closer to the competition.

TRAINING Training for competing clubs will be scheduled for the Friday morning, prior to the Figures competition. Warm up time, with music, will be made available in the competition pool prior to the start of each competition session. Two lanes of the indoor 50m pool will be made available for training, warm up and cool down for the duration of the event.

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS Coaches are required to submit two (2) CDs for each routine entry to the Music Controller at the beginning of practice. All CDs must be presented in covers and the competition CD clearly labelled with the event, age group, division, name(s) of competitors (except for Teams and Combinations) and club. Each routine entry requires a separate CD. Please ensure that your recordings have a 5 second lead in time from the time the play button is pressed and when the music starts.

COMPETITION POOL SPECIFICATIONS The competition will take place in the Diving Pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Dimensions: 25m x 25m Depth: 3m deep at start end, increasing to 5m deep. All routines will begin from the middle of the boom opposite the diving boards. At the completion of the routine swimmers will return to the audience side of the pool for the score announcement. During competiton, a clear deck policy will apply and only those with official accreditation will be allowed on the pool deck. During each routine, the coach(es) of the competing team will have access to the deck for viewing purposes only.

MEDICAL SERVICES All first response medical services will be provided by Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre pool staff who will be on duty for the duration of the event. Overseas participants should have the appropriate travel insurance in the event that medical treatment is required.

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER Victorian Synchronized Swimming will have an official FINA observer for judges present at the competition and are planning are on running an introductory level judging clinic in conjunction with the championships.

ACCOMMODATION Victorian Synchronized Swimming can recommend the following providers for your stay in Melbourne before, during and after the championships. The Sebel and Citigate Albert Park Quest Apartments South Melbourne and Dorcas Street More information regarding these providers can be found at www.vssi.org.au/National2013.html

WHILE IN MELBOURNE While in Melbourne why not explore what this wonderful city has to offer. For information about attractions and whats on in Melbourne, visit www.thastmelbourne.com.au For more information about tourist attractions in Victoria visit, www.visitvictoria.com

Victorian Synchronized Swimming would like to thank the follwing organisations for their support of the 2013 Synchronized Swimming Australia Open and Age Group Championships.