Are you interested in becoming a poolside official? The club aswell as the County ASA are always in need of new officials, without you the events your children want to compete in simply can't run.
Each gala requires a minimum number of officials, starting with a minimum of 20 for a level 4 gala, increasing significantly as you go up through the levels of competition.
The role of an official is to ensure the smooth operation of a gala, whether that is as a timekeeper, a turn judge or a starter, each person plays an important role in the days events.
If you are interested in becoming an official you will be fully supported through your training, which consists of online theory courses and poolside practical training. At poolside you are mentored by another official until you have passed the relevant criteria.
If you want to support the club, the County and ensure competitions can continue to be run, please register your interest with Alina Smith, Membership Secretary at [email protected]
Officials Qualifications & Training
Timekeeper
This is an introduction into the world of the swimming official. It covers the practical aspects of what is required of a timekeeper by means of a short theory session, which can be delivered face to face or undertaken online, followed by a demonstration of practical competence.
The minimum recommended age for candidates to undertake this training is 14 years, and all need to be registered members of a British Swimming affiliated club or member of the Institute of Swimming (IoS).
Judge Level 1
Monday 27th January 2020 saw the launch of the new online theory modules for the training of the pool Judge 1 technical officials. This brings to a close a considerable amount of work in partnership with Swim England and the Institute of Swimming to ensure we are delivering a quality product to our volunteers.
Whilst the content of the training remains largely unchanged, the move to an online format is designed to allow volunteers to start the training at their own pace and to fit with all the other lifestyle commitments which we know our volunteers have.
Access to local support is available on request, with a dedicated new email address ([email protected]) to provide ongoing additional support as we seek to grow our number of qualified officials.
Once their theory training is complete and registered, candidates will be provided with local contacts to guide them through their practical assessments. Training resources have been updated, and clear guidance is now included on suggested timescales for completing each competence, with a time limit of 11 months being introduced.
Upon completion of all Judge 1 training individuals will automatically be issued with their first licence, which will be valid for 4 years, which then enable them to apply to volunteer at all events up to and including National level.
Judge Level 2
This is the second level of qualification. It encompasses the role and duties in relation to all aspects of judging and the theoretical role and duties of Starter.
The minimum age to start training is 16 years and candidates must a have already qualified as Judge Level 1 and undertaken 20 hours post qualification poolside work in the role of a Judge 1. The training is made up of instruction on the theoretical aspects of the role and mentored pool side training with a workbook, which allows the candidate to demonstrate practical competence prior to qualification.
When qualified, candidates will be attributed with the qualification Judge Level 2 on the British Swimming Database.
Judge Level 2S- Starter
Candidates wishing to qualify as a Starter will be required hold the Judge Level 2 qualification and have completed a minimum of 20 hours post qualification experience as Judge Level 2.
Training will consist of a prescribed number of practical experiences as a Starter before undertaking a formal practical assessment.
Successful candidates will be attributed with the Starter qualification: Judge Level 2.
Referee
The minimum age for training is 19 years providing the candidate is aged 20 years as at 30 November in the year of the theory examination.
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 have been 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.
