RAFSA Constitution

Section 3
Chapter 31
AP 3415

Royal Air Force Swimming Association

ORGANISATION

Name

1. The Association shall be called The Royal Air Force Swimming Association, hereinafter known as the Association.

Objects

2. Primary. The primary object of the Association shall be to promote the efficiency of the Royal Air Force by providing an opportunity of indulging in the healthy sport of swimming, thereby encouraging physical fitness amongst members.

3. Secondary. In order to attain the primary object the secondary objects of the Association shall be:

a. To promote the sports of swimming, diving and water polo in the Royal Air Force.

b. To encourage the instruction of swimming and life saving.

4. In the event of the Association being dissolved, surplus assets will be returned to the RAF Central Fund.

Membership

5. Full Membership. Full membership is open to:

a. All Serving members of the RAF.

b. Members of other Armed Forces of the Crown serving with the RAF.

c. Personnel of Commonwealth and Allied Forces serving under RAF command.

6. Associate Membership. Associate membership is open to:

a. Members of other Armed Forces of the Crown not serving with the RAF.

b. Members of the Reserve Forces of the RAF, University Air Squadrons,

Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force (Air Element).

c. Ex-Service personnel of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

d. Service Dependants.

e. Personnel of Commonwealth and Allied Forces serving under the Command

of other Armed Forces of the Crown.

f. Civilians who offer their services as instructors or who provide specialist

advice and equipment for general use.

7. Associate Membership Rights

a. Associate members have no voting rights.

b. With the exception of Service dependants and Reserve Forces on full time

contracts[1], civilians’ subscriptions and other charges are to be higher than those for

full members.

c. Associate members must be in the minority in the Association.

Officials

8. President. A President is appointed by the Director of the RAF Sports Board (DSB(RAF)) on the advice of interested parties including the outgoing president and Chairman.

9. Vice-President. Vice-Presidents and Life Vice-Presidents may be elected by members at an Annual General Meeting (AGM).

10. Chairman. A Chairman is appointed by DSB(RAF) on the advice of interested parties including the President and the outgoing chairman. The Chairman shall take the chair at the AGM and at Executive Committee Meetings (ECM). In the case of an equal vote at these meetings, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

11. Honorary Members. Honorary members may be elected by the AGM. Serving members are not eligible for honorary membership. Honorary members have no vote.

Annual General Meeting

12. An AGM shall be called by the Chairman annually and the agenda published 4 weeks before the meeting. All self-accounting Units in the UK shall be eligible to send one representative to the meeting. A quorum for the AGM is 10 participants.

13. The AGM shall elect an Executive Committee comprising the following members:

a. Deputy Chairman.

b. Honorary Secretary.

c. Honorary Treasurer.

d. Squad Manager.

e. Officials Secretary.

14. Terms of Reference for these members are to be issued by the Chairman.

15. The AGM is to be presented with the audited accounts of the Association for discussion and acceptance. Reports from various appropriate members of the executive

are also to be presented.

Executive Committee Meetings

16. Executive Committee Meetings (ECM) are to be held at least once per year to discuss and confirm team appointments and membership of the General Committee. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to deal with matters of urgency and to investigate and, if necessary, deal with reports of misconduct or any other matters referred to it. A quorum shall be 4 members. The following members of the General Committee may be appointed by the Executive Committee:

a. Swim Team Manager.

b. Swim Team Coach.

c. Swim Team Men’s Captain.

d. Swim Team Ladies’ Captain.

e. Water Polo Manager.

f. Water Polo Coach.

g. Water Polo Captain.

h. Diving Manager.

i. Diving Coach.

j. Diving Captain.

k. Open Water/Long Distance Swimming Manager.

l. Masters Swimming Representative.

m. PR Representative.

n. .Tour Representative.

o. Championships Secretary.

p. Kit Representative.

q. Command Chairmen and, subsequently, Secretaries

General Committee Meetings

17. General Committee Meetings are to be held at least 4 times per year, usually in March, June, September and November. The General Committee shall conduct the routine business of the Association, and especially co-ordinate and direct the RAF Inter-Station, RAF Inter-Command and Inter-Services Championships, as well as representative fixtures, open water swimming events, tours and general administration.

Financial Year

18. All Association accounts are to be presented to the RAF Sports Board for audit within 6 weeks of the end of the financial year.

Affiliation

19. The Royal Air Force Swimming Association shall be affiliated to the Amateur Swimming Association and to such other properly constituted bodies as the Executive Committee may from time to time decide.

20. Units and stations are affiliated to the Royal Air Force Swimming Association and are therefore automatically affiliated to the Amateur Swimming Association.

21. Competitions organised by the Royal Air Force Swimming Association shall be conducted in accordance with the laws of the Amateur Swimming Association.

Misconduct

22. In the event of any individual or unit being proved to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee to have been guilty of any breach of the Rules or of misconduct, the Committee shall have power to deal with the offending individual or unit in accordance with Amateur Swimming Association law.

Alteration to Rules

23. No alterations or additions to the Rules shall be made without the sanction of the Executive Committee. No such alteration or addition is to be valid unless supported by at least two-thirds of those present at an Executive Committee meeting. In the case of any important matter affecting the whole of the Royal Air Force the Executive Committee may take a postal vote.

RAF INDIVIDUAL SWIMMING AND DIVING, AND INTER-STATION SWIMMING AND WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS (MOUNSEY TROPHY)

24. The decision to end the Mounsey Trophy competition for units at the close of 2001 presented the RAF Swimming Association with the challenge of putting the Trophy (one of the Association’s most important artefacts) to suitable alternative use. RAFSA met that challenge by creating a genuine RAF Inter-Station competition comprising swimming and water polo; while diving had been part of the revised format initially, the lack of competitive divers in the RAF has since made an Inter-Station competition non-viable from 2005 onwards although this will be subject to annual review. The Mounsey Trophy is awarded, from 2002 onwards, to the Unit that achieves the highest points total in the combined swimming and water polo. The RAF Individual Swimming and Diving Championships are staged in conjunction with the Inter-Station event. For posterity, the former rules of the Mounsey Competition are included at the end of this Chapter.

25. The objectives of the RAF Individual and Inter-Station Championships are: to compete the RAF individual championships in swimming and diving; to encourage all RAF stations of the United Kingdom to challenge as stations across a full swimming and water polo programme; and to determine a single RAF Inter-Station Champion on the basis of the combined team outcomes of the swimming and water polo competitions. The Championships are held at RAF Cranwell, the Home for Sport for Swimming, in April or May annually.

26. Mounsey Trophy. The Mounsey Trophy is awarded to the RAF unit that achieves the highest points score over the period of the RAF Individual and Inter-Station Championship. Points are awarded in accordance with the scoring system for each of 2 disciplines: swimming and water polo. The lack of competitive divers in the RAF prevents diving from being a viable Inter-Station competition, so diving is competed only individually. At the end of each discipline points are awarded to units for Mounsey Trophy positions. The better the placing in the individual discipline, the more Mounsey Trophy points awarded. Mounsey Trophy points are awarded as follows:

a. RAF Inter-Station Swimming Champions 36 Points

Runners up 33 Points

3rd 30 Points

4th 27 Points

5th 24 Points

6th 21 points

7th 18 Points

8th 15 Points

9th 12 Points

10th 9 Points

11th 6 Points

12th and below 3 Points

b. RAFW Inter-Station Swimming Champions 36 Points

Runners up 33 Points

3rd 30 Points

4th 27 Points

5th 24 Points

6th 21 points

7th 18 Points

8th 15 Points

9th 12 Points

10th 9 Points

11th 6 Points

12th and below 3 Points

c. RAF Inter-Station Water Polo Champions 36 Points

Runners up 33 Points

3rd 30 Points

4th 27 Points

5th 24 Points

6th 21 points

7th 18 Points

8th 15 Points

9th 12 Points

10th 9 Points

11th 6 Points

12th and below 3 Points

27. The scoring system is designed to reflect the historical participation in each of the 3 disciplines. The winner of the Mounsey Trophy should be the unit that turns out the maximum amount of competitors who perform best across the 3 disciplines.

Swimming

28. The winner of each event is to become the RAF (or RAFW where appropriate) Champion for that event. The events in the Championships should follow the same order as in the Inter-Service Championships and are listed in the following paragraphs:

- RAF 800m Freestyle (Heat Declared Winner)

- RAFW 400m Freestyle (Heat Declared Winner)

- RAF 100m Butterfly

- RAFW 100m Freestyle

- RAF 200m Backstroke

- RAFW 200m Backstroke

- RAF 100m Breaststroke

- RAFW 200m Breaststroke

- RAF 400m Freestyle

- RAFW 4 x 25m Individual Medley

- RAF 4 x 50m Individual Medley

- RAFW 50m Freestyle

- RAF 100m Freestyle

- RAFW 100m Backstroke

- RAF 100m Backstroke

- RAFW 200m Freestyle

- RAF 200m Breaststroke

- RAFW 100m Breaststroke

- RAF 200m Freestyle

- RAFW 100m Butterfly

- RAF 50m Freestyle

- RAFW 4 x 25m Medley Relay

- RAF 4 x 50m Medley Relay

- RAFW 4 x 25m Freestyle Relay

- RAF 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay

The RAF 800m Freestyle and the RAFW 400m Freestyle are both Heat Declared Winner events.

29. Representation – RAF and RAFW. Stations may enter an unlimited number of competitors in each event as individuals, but only one competitor may be nominated, in advance, as the scoring swimmer in the overall inter-station competition. One team only may be entered in each of the relay events. No swimmer may represent his/her Station in more than 2 individual events and one team relay. Swimmers may enter as many events as they wish as non-scoring individuals. The RAF 800m, RAFW 400m and 50m freestyle events are counted among the 2 individual events.

30. Point Scoring.

a. Individual Events. The points awarded for the results of each individual event are as follows (this includes all ‘counting’ swimmers who successfully complete their heat):

1st 8 pts

2nd 7 pts

3rd 6 pts

4th 5 pts

5th 4 pts

6th 3 pts

7th 2 pts

8th and below. 1 pt

b. Relay Events. The points awarded for the results of the relay events are as follows:

1st 16pts

2nd 14pts

3rd 12pts

4th 10pts

5th 8 pts

6th 6 pts

7th 4 pts

8th and below 2 pts

31. RAF Individual Championships – Rules. By their nature, the RAF Individual Championships shall be restricted to the individual swimming and diving events. The competitions shall be run simultaneously with the RAF Inter-Station Championships. The Championships shall be open to all members of the RAF as provided for under the General Championships rules above. Individuals shall be free to enter as many Individual Championships events as they choose. There is no restriction on the number of individuals who may enter from the same unit.

Water Polo

32. The event shall comprise a league, leagues and/or knockout competition, dependent on the number of entries, to determine the RAF Inter-Station Water Polo champions. Stations are invited to be represented in the Inter-Station Water Polo Championships and may enter one scoring team in the event. An individual shall play for only one team in the Championships.

33. In a league, the winner of each match shall attract 3 points for a win, one point for a draw and nil points for a loss. Ties in a knockout competition shall be decided on a golden goal basis, unless the knockout situation has been over 2 legs, in which case goal difference shall be the deciding factor ahead of a golden goal. Ties in a league competition shall be decided on goal difference. Where a tie still pertains, then the team having scored the greater number of goals shall be deemed the winner.

Diving

34. Events. The RAF Individual Diving Championships shall comprise the following elements:

a. Ladies 1 Metre Springboard (Novice). Divers are required to complete 3 dives from a minimum of one group, as laid down in the FINA table of accepted dives.

b. Ladies 1/3 Metre Springboard and 5 Metre Firmboard. Divers are required to complete 4 dives from 2 groups, one of which may be repeated in a different position, in accordance with the FINA table of accepted dives. Dives may be complete from either springboard or from the firmboard.

c. Men’s 1 Metre Springboard (Novice). Divers are required to complete 3 dives from a minimum of 1 group, as laid down in the FINA table of accepted dives.

d. Men’s 1/3 Metre Springboard and 5 Metre Firmboard. Divers are required to complete 4 different dives from 2 groups, in accordance with the FINA table of accepted dives.

35. Scoring. Individual divers score towards their own placings in the Individual Diving Championships.

Eligibility

36. The RAF personnel at an RAF Station are eligible to compete for that Station in the Inter-Station Competition. Members of the other Services based permanently, or parented by that Station, may also represent that Station, provided the Host Service provides at least 50% of the team.

37. Joint Service Units (JSU) may participate in the Inter-Station Competition. Personnel of all 3 Services on the strength of any JSU may represent those units. Teams from JSUs may comprise up to 50% of players from other than the host Service. JSUs will not be able to enter individuals to represent them, who have competed in either equivalent Army or Royal Navy competitions in the same season.

RAF INTER-COMMAND SWIMMING, DIVING AND WATER POLO COMPETITION

38. The RAF Inter-Command Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Competition is a direct STC v PTC competition across the 3 disciplines. The competition is held at RAF Cranwell annually, usually in November.

Swimming

39. The swimming events competed are as follows:

- RAF 400m Freestyle

- RAFW 200m Freestyle

- RAF 100m Butterfly

- RAFW 100m Butterfly

- RAF 100m Backstroke

- RAFW 100m Backstroke

- RAF 200m Freestyle

- RAFW 200m Breaststroke

- RAF 200m Breaststroke

- RAFW 25m Freestyle

- RAF 50m Freestyle

- RAFW 4 x 25m Medley Relay

- RAF 4 x 25m Medley Relay

- RAFW 100m Freestyle

- RAF 100m Freestyle

- RAFW 4 x 25m Individual Medley

- RAF 4 x 25m Individual Medley

- RAFW 100m Breaststroke

- RAF 100m Breaststroke

- RAF 4 x 25m Freestyle Relay

- RAFW 4 x 25m Freestyle Relay

40. The teams are to be selected by each Command Secretary. There are to be three swimmers per Command for each event. Each swimmer may compete in a maximum of 2 individual events and 2 relays. Each event is a final.

41. The points scoring is as follows:

Individual Events Relay Events

1st – 6 pts 1st – 12 pts

2nd – 5 pts 2nd – 10 pts

3rd – 4 pts 3rd – 8 pts

4th – 3 pts 4th – 6 pts

5th – 2 pts 5th – 4 pts

6th – 1 pt 6th – 2 pts

Water Polo

42. The winners of the STC v PTC match are the Inter-Command Champions. Each team is to consist of a maximum of 13 players, with 7 in the water and rotated using a one out, one in method. The match is 4 x 7 minute quarters, actual playing time.

Diving

43. The diving competition comprises Men’s and Ladies’ 1/3m Springboard and 5m Firmboard competitions. Divers are required to complete 4 dives from 2 groups, one of which may be repeated from a different position in accordance with the FINA table of accepted dives.

44. Scoring is in accordance with FINA rules, with the highest score becoming Inter Command Champion. Each Command may enter up to 3 divers per event. Divers can compete in both events.

General Championship Rules

45. A competitor is free to compete in each of the disciplines provided that representation rules are not breached in that individual discipline. Any individual or team breaching the Competition Rules is liable for a penalty of up to disqualification from the Competition and shall forfeit any points obtained for the event when the infringement occurred.

46. Protests or complaints concerning infractions of ASA law or the competition rules are to be made to the Competition Referee, and shall be accepted from the Team Captains only. Where an eventuality is not covered by the Competition Rules, the Competition Referee shall provide the necessary clarification.

47. Competitors must be serving personnel of the Royal Air Force. Competitors representing Commands are to be subject to the qualifications of competitors established by the RAF Sports Board as follows:

a. Officers, airmen and airwomen may compete only for the Command which operationally controls the unit on whose posted strength they are borne. Personnel filling miscellaneous and special posts which are not operationally controlled by a Command may compete for that Command which administers the unit holding their personal documents.

b. Notwithstanding paragraph 47 above the Command for which an individual plays in the semi-final of a competition shall have the prior right to his/her services in the final of the same competition.

c. Personnel may not represent a Command to which they are attached.

48. Any Command using an ineligible player for water polo or relay events under these Rules will be disqualified from the event. All questions as to qualifications of competitors or interpretation of the Rules or disputes shall be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.

THE STUART MARSHALL TROPHY

49. The late Chief Technician Stuart Marshall was a key RAF water polo player of the 1970s and 1980s. Following his death his widow Jean presented a trophy to RAFSA in his memory. The trophy was to be presented annually to the RAF Water Polo player who had contributed most that year. Stu’s devotion to water polo in the RAF had been such that he encouraged it at all levels, and even had some personnel enjoying the game despite their difficulties with mastering swimming first!

50. After the first few years of presenting the trophy in this format, it became impossible to single out a specific water polo annually as the squad was not big enough to generate such a necessary turnover of recipients of this trophy. It was therefore agreed by the RAFSA Executive Committee in 2001 that the Stu Marshall trophy be henceforth presented annually to that individual who had contributed most to RAFSA in that year, irrespective of whatever discipline they belonged to: diving, swimming or water polo.

FORMER MOUNSEY TROPHY COMPETITION

Participation

51. The competition was open to all self-established units of the Royal air Force in the United Kingdom and Royal Air Force Germany. No unit could participate unless it had an established strength of twenty or more personnel.

52. The competition was divided into divisions as follows:

a. Stations/Units with an average daily strength of 750 personnel and over.

b. Station/Units with an average daily strength of 749 personnel and under.

Competition

53. The competition was based on a swimming test shown below:

a. A competition was required to swim continuously a maximum of:

(1) 100 yards Breast Stroke.

(2) 100 yards Back Stroke.

(3) 100 yards Freestyle (strokes other than (1) or (2)).

b. For every 25 yards completed on any stroke, 1 point was awarded. A competitor could therefore obtain a maximum of 4 points using any one stroke; with an overall maximum score of 12 points.

54. The tests were to be carried out under the supervision of a representative appointed by the Commanding Officer.

55. Competitors had to complete the test during the period of annual competition which started on 1 October and ended on 30 September.

56. Competitors had to be officers, airmen or airwomen on the permanent strength of the competing station/unit, or undergoing training on that station/unit for a period of not less than 12 months.

57. The trophy was awarded to the station/unit attaining the greatest number of points in proportion to its average daily strength of eligible personnel for the period of the competition.

58. Stations/units had to submit to their command Swimming Representative, the names and ranks of personnel who had successfully completed the test, the date and place the test was passed and a certificate giving the average daily strength of eligible personnel for the period. Command representatives were responsible for forwarding returns to reach the Honorary Secretary, Royal Air Forces Swimming Association not later than 30 October annually.

59. The winning station/unit from each division held the trophy for 6 months, the larger station/unit for the first 6 months. The names of the 2 winners were engraved on the trophy.

[1] AP 3415 Section 2, Chap 7, para 2 and 13