Guide to British Age Group Categories (BAGCATS)

This brief document is intended as basic introduction for both swimmers and parents into the world of British Age Group Categories (known as BAGCATS). If you are already aware, please disregard.

BAGCATS applies to

• Boys aged 9 – 14 yrs (Counties), 10 – 14 yrs (Regional & Nationals).
• Girls aged 9 – 13 yrs (Counties), 10 – 13 yrs (Regional & Nationals).

If your child(ren) are within the above age categories and are hoping to enter the County Championships, Regional Championships or National Championships, then the following explanation is both essential and vital to your child's swimming progress.

COUNTIES – REGION – NATIONALS

In addition to the presentation of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for
each age and sex group in each event, there is also the BAGCATS.

BAGCATS

Is an accumulative points system which culminates with the overall placings and ranking at the end of a Championship. Awards and certificates, are usually presented to the top 8 swimmers in each age and sex category, dependant on the competition.

The points system works in a similar way to the Decathlon in Athletics; where the faster you run or the greater distance you throw an object, the more points you get. In swimming, the points are obviously given for the faster you swim. There are sliding scales, dependant on your age and sex.

Ideally, you need to compete in at least one event in each Category (see table below), to be in with a chance of gaining good points. There are normally 4 – 5 Categories that each swimmer  must complete in.

If you swim in more than one event in a Category, then your best points score is counted.