As a swimming club we need lots of volunteers through out the club but we need committed support in
one area in particular, Officials. We need officials for all team galas and we
are expected to provide officials for Open Meets we attend as well. The more
officials we have the better, we can then rotate the responsibility for team
galas more fairly.
Being an official also has big
advantages on occasion, you get in for free, get refreshments and often a meal
at Open Meets and you're that much closer to the action.
If you want to get involved
please contact Veronica Ristov, our Fixtures Secretary here.
What you need to know about becoming a technical official
For every meet the Club enters
there is a requirement to provide Swimming Officials (SOs).
This is usually in
the form of timekeepers or judges. If we do not provide enough SOs the Club can
be fined. Also, if a Meet does not have enough SOs it may not receive
accreditation or could ultimately be cancelled. As a club we have always managed
to provide our expected officials but it has become more difficult recently as
many of our officials are parents of older swimmers.
We need a constant flow of new parents/grandparents getting involved.
Why do we need
Technical Swimming Officials?
SOs are a central part of every
swimming event and play an important role in ensuring the events run smoothly,
safely and within the sport's regulations.
A number of roles exist within
officiating, from Club Timekeeper, Judge 1, Judge 2, Judge 2S and Referee.
How do you become a
Swimming Technical Official?
If you are aged 14 years or over, with
an interest in swimming - or the enthusiasm to learn! - then you have taken the
first step to becoming a Swimming Technical Official.
Firstly you must be a
member of the ASA so you are insured for your activity on poolside. The Club
will ensure that you are ASA registered when you participate in SO training and
we will ask that everyone who goes on poolside for the club has DBS.
The first step on the ladder
of officiating is to become a Club Timekeeper. We run courses for up to eight people
which consists of a lecture followed by practical experience/assessment of
timekeeping on the poolside.
Once the assessment is successfully completed
you can officiate on the poolside at any club event but not at Licensed Open Meets.
Once you have reached the age
of 15+ then you are eligible to become a Judge 1. This again involves you
applying to your District STO Convenor who will advise you of a course start
date which will include workshop dates. Material for the course is in the form
of a workbook and your Course leader will advise you how this is obtained. The
course is in the form of workshops and practical training on poolside with a
mentor, there is no examination at the end of the course just a final
assessment. Judge 1 qualifies you to be a Timekeeper, Chief Timekeeper, Relay
Takeover Judge and a Turn Judge.
Once you have completed this
you are then eligible to continue to Judge 2 which is completed in the same
manner. Judge 2 qualifies you to Judge Strokes and Finishes.
Once you have completed this
you are then eligible to continue to Judge 2S (Starter) which is completed in
the same manner. Judge 2S qualifies you to start.
The last step is to become a
Referee, this course contains theoretical instruction and specified practical
experiences. It is followed by a formal examination in November after which
successful candidates take a final poolside practical assessment leading to
qualification as a British Swimming Referee.
Several months are allocated between registration and the formal
examination to enable candidates to undertake all the practical experience
required to complete the course as well as the theoretical instruction. It is up to the individual to ensure they volunteer as often as possible to get their log books completed so they can be tested and signed off.