This guide is to help Race Secretaries set up Multi-Class (MC) qualifying times for an Event in Swim Central. For information on creating an event please see this link.

What is Multi-Class?

Swimming Australia offers a modified competition option for swimmers, called Multi Class (MC) swimming. MC swimming provides meaningful competition for swimmers with an impairment. Swimmers competing in Multi Class swimming have an impairment that leads to a competitive disadvantage.

Consequently, a system must be put in place to minimise the impact of impairments on sport performance and to ensure the success of an athlete is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability, and mental focus. This system is called classification.

What is Classification?

Classification provides a structure for competition for swimmers with disability. Classification determines who is eligible to compete in Multi Class swimming and it groups the eligible athletes in sport classes according to their activity limitation to compete in the sport of swimming.

The purpose of classification in swimming is to minimise the impact of eligible impairment types on the outcome of competition so that athletes who succeed in competition are those with best anthropometry, physiology and psychology and who have enhanced them to best effect.

In Australia swimming classification is used to ensure a fair environment for competition at all levels from club through to Australian Championships. Swimming Australia's Classification Policy can be found here and the explanatory guide can be found here

What is a Sport Class?

There are 19 classes in the swimming classification system which caters for a range of disabilities. Each class has minimum eligibility requirements and swimmers must undergo specific Athlete Evaluation or Eligibility process to obtain a classification. Swimmers receive a class for each stroke discipline, and a prefix indicates which stroke the class applies to:

• The prefix S to the class denotes the class for Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly (S1 – S19)
• The prefix SB to the class denotes the class for Breaststroke. (SB1-9, SB11-19)
• The prefix SM to the class denotes the class for Individual Medley. (SM1 – 19)

How does Multi-Class Competition Work?

Multi-Class racing allows swimmers with different classifications to compete in the same race with their result compared to a standard relevant to their impairment using the Multi-Class Pointscore.

You can choose to designate specific events as multi-class in your meet manager file. All MC event results are then calculated using the Multi-Class Point Score.

What is the Multi-Class Point Score?

The Multi-Class Point Score (MCPS) has been developed to provide a simplified way for swimmers and coaches to measure and compare performances. The MCPS is based on the World Record (WR) times for each classification and uses a base time in each class for each contestable event and uses a calculation to determine a matrix of times which correlate to a point score. The MCPS is used for the JX and YPS programs, determining results in Multi-Class competition, as well as team selection and qualifying standards. This supports a clearer competition and development pathway for classified swimmers – view more information here. Events included in the MCPS will be those recognised in the SAL Swimming Rules. Multi-Class Point Score Calculators can be found here (downloadable excel file under Multi-Class Point Score).

What is a Base Time?

Base times will be separated by male and female for long course and short course events. Base times are equal to the value of 1000 points. Performances exceeding the base time will attract points above 1000 with performances below the base time attracting lesser points. Multi-Class Base Times can be found here (downloadable excel file).

How to Work out a multi-class qualifying time?

You have two options to calculate relevant qualifying times:

1. Using the Base times file and the formula available here; or
2. Using the Multi-Class Pointscore calculator
   Short Course available here
   Long Course available here

Option 2 is easier to follow and less Maths!

1.  Download and save the 2021/22 Long Course or Short Course calculator (as relevant to your event) Locate these under the Header 'Multi-Class Point Score'
2. Unzip the file and Open in Excel
3. Right click on the Any Event Tab and Unhide all hidden sheets
4. The unhidden sheet will show you a time for each classification and number of points
5. You can now choose the number of multi-class points you wish to set your qualifying times at relevant to the level of your competition.

Where to input your Multi-Class Points for Qualifying Times in Swim Central

6) If multi class events have been set up in your meet manager file then the following screen will display after the meet manager review screen.

7) Enter the multi class points for each race.

8) Select the green icon to view the qualifying times that have been calculated.

9) Continue with creating your meet, however if you need to amend an individual multi-class race qualifying time you can do this prior to publishing your meet by following the steps below.

10) Go to the Event Dash and select the session, then Details icon of the event

11) Select the edit icon

13) Select the qualifying tab, update the qualifying seconds and milliseconds then save

Return to the event dash, select complete setup and then publish your meet.

Swimmers with a classification will see the relevant qualifying time for their sport class within the entry process for your competition.