Leagues

Peak & Plain League

Used primarily to give inexperienced swimmers an introduction to competition. The League is divided into two divisions, again each team hosting a gala against other members of the division, with a celebration gala of all teams being hosted at Macclesfield.

These galas are held in the Spring/Summer. It is a competition which has time restrictions, i.e. swimmers cannot take part if they have already swum faster than the allotted time for that event/age group. As swimmers go through the time barrier it gives the opportunity to use other inexperienced swimmers for that event.

At present there are eight clubs involved in this League - four in each of the two divisions with a system of promotion and relegation between the two.

At the end of the series of galas there is a celebration gala for all eight teams held at Macclesfield Leisure Centre.

Deva League

The Deva League consists of teams mainly centred in Cheshire and surrounding area. There are three divisions in the League. Again, there is a promotion and relegation system within the League.

The Deva League consists of a series of galas, members of each division hosting their own gala against other members of that division, being swum towards the end of the year. with a system promotion and relegation between the divisions accordingly.

The age groups are

11 and under

13 and under

15 and under

Open

The ages for these leagues are as at a fixed date determined by the last day of the competition each year.

A swimmer must of reached 9 years of age on or before the last day of the competition, usally towards the end of November.

Formation of The National Swimming League (ARENA)

The inaugural meeting of the League in the North-West was held on the 23rd May, 1970, and the first competition started January-March, 1971, when Everton S.C. won. They were superseded by C.O.S.A.C.S.S. for the next four years.

The original Secretary was W.A. (Tony) Wright, whose enthusiasm for the cause of League swimming was great, and ensured that the North-West continued to progress from strength to strength. In 1979 Dave Holland took over, and from 1982 to 1993 Perry Mason was at the helm. The present Secretary is Brian Boyle.

The first Chairman was K. Ratcliffe, who helped to guide the League through its initial two years, when he was succeeded by Joe Leighton, and then Ken Groves.

By 1973 the popularity of the League was such that it was possible to form a second division, and the two were named 'Major' and 'Minor'. In 1981 the titles were changed to Division 1 and Division 2 with 24 teams and 30 teams respectively. Numbers continued to increase and eventually it was decided to divide - Premier Division - 18, Division One - 18, Division Two - 36. In the 1990's some withdrawals took place, mainly due to the financial and administrative impact of mandatory A.S.A. registration on the Speedo Leagues. It was agreed to set-up a Minor Division with a reduced programme, with no provision for promotion and relegation with other Divisions. A.S.A. Registration is not mandatory. In 1994 the Minor Division had 12 Teams competing. Premier Division - 18, Division One - 18, Division 2-28 teams.

The North-West League extends over a wide area, embracing clubs from as far as Cumbria in the north, to Staffordshire in the south, and from North Wales in the West to the Pennines in the east. The Premier Club in 1990 and 1991 -Warriors, 1992 - Man. United Salford, 1993 - City of Chester, 1994 - City of Liverpool.