On Saturday, Swimming New Zealand (SNZ) sent out our instructions on how the National Championships will be run next week. I am not going to reprint the 1785 words but let me congratulate the authors, Dale Johnson and Chloe Francis, on a job well done. You see most of us do not mind what the rules are. Just clearly explain to us what you expect, how the meet is going to work, and we will adjust to your rules. We are good at that. In fact, it is a vital part of being an international coach or swimmer.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world attending swimming or athletic events. I’ve been with swimmers to Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan Pacific Games, Oceania Championships, 7 Mare Nostrum series, 87 World Cup events and 60 years of National Championships in New Zealand, Australia, the Virgin Islands, Mexico, Jamaica, Great Britain, Scotland, England, Saudi Arabia and the United States. And everywhere is different. That’s not a problem. Top sport requires the flexibility to adapt. Just make sure we know the rules.    

In 60 years of getting information from SNZ, this email is probably the best example I’ve seen of being told how the week is going to work. It is clear, precise and to the point. Of course, the Clown in Tawa doesn’t think so. After he poured a cup of coffee over my pale blue computer I found his post difficult to read and impossible to understand.

The email from Dale and Chloe at SNZ is certainly better written and easier to follow. If the traffic light stays red there will be separate male and female pods. If the light goes to orange the genders will be combined and we will have, effectively, a “normal” swim meet. Personally, I prefer the two pod, red light plan. I like the idea of shorter sessions. However, if we go to orange, Dale and Chloe have told us what that will mean.

I think it’s hilarious that the Tawa Clown is upset male and female swimmers won’t be able to socialise on the pool deck. The last thing I’d recommend is for a swimmer to use a competition session at the National Championships as an opportunity to chat up the local talent. In fact, the East Germans did a bit of work on that very subject. They discovered male performances can be quite severely affected by too much female contact before a race. It seems the old boxing rule has some scientific support. Perhaps Dale and Chloe are onto a good thing.  

In addition the SNZ email covers what to do if anyone detects Covid during the meet, the date and time of the Zoom Team Manager’s meeting, how spectators will be affected by the colour of the traffic light, which entrance, exit and waiting areas to use, the timeline for heats and finals, the space available for warming down, where results will be posted, how heats and finals will be marshalled, where seating will be available and how relays, DQs, medal presentations and protests will be organised.

In other words, all we need to know is in one email, in one place, clearly written and understood. Thank you, Dale and Chloe, for your clear instructions on how the week is going to work. And thank-you SNZ for a job well done.