Become an Official

General Training Topics:

Swimming Official Positions
Running a Meet from Start to Finish
Meet Manager - a hands on course and
Team Manager - a practical introduction.

A swim meet needs a lot of officials, for an eight lane pool at least 40 are necessary if it is to run well. Being an official is a very good way of supporting your children in competing, and you can develop a better understanding of the sport

There are also some fringe benefits!  If you volunteer before the meet you will have free pool entry, you will receive a complimentary program, and lunch and snacks are usually provided at full day meets

The following lists the positions for which examinations are held. In most cases, all that is involved is a lecture, you will be supplied with notes prior to the lecture and will have ample opportunity to ask questions at the lecture and a written exam which takes an hour or so. Most people pass!  Candidates should have gained experience in the positions before going to the exams. E.g. at Club Nights and District Meets.

The lectures and exams are organised by the District ALEC Convenor - Association Lectures and Examinations Committee.

Qualifications are available for the following positions:

Timekeeper - Usually the one to start with and we always need plenty!

Finish Judge - Placement of the competitors at the finish - where Finish Judges placing's disagree with timekeepers, the Judges over-rule. While not many meets use Finish Judges these days, they come into play if there are less than three timekeepers per lane. An important position in manually timed meets!

Starter - Looks an easy job except for the Mens Open 50m free BUT a good starter insures all swimmers have a fair go.

Check Starter  - Marshalling of swimmers for the start. An important position in all meets.

Recorder - Seeds entries, processes results and checks for new records. Key positions in all meets.

Referee - Controls the meet and solves all problems. Must know everything.

Turn Judges and Judges of Strokes - Separate positions at a meet but included in the Referee qualifications.

OTHER COURSES:

Running a Meet from Start to Finish - All Clubs are invited to nominate participants for this course. It covers exactly what the title says. It tracks the planning and action pathway for a successful meet from the initial decision to hold a meet to the completion of the event.

It has previously been held on a Saturday morning (usually 4 hours) but an early evening start on a week night may be considered if necessary.

Meet Manager - a hands on course: Clubs are encouraged to nominate participants for this course as Meet Manager is used at all meets. This is uausally run as a day course.

Team Manager - a practical hands on introduction: This training is offered to clubs and small groups. Team Manager can greatly assist clubs with their swimmer/meet entry & results management and it can do much more.