How to Become a Technical Official
South Eastern Swimming conducts training in all technical aspects of swimming. New officials are constantly in demand and YOU can help!
A swim meet needs lots of officials - being an official is an excellent way of supporting your children in the sport.
There are also some fringe benefits. If you volunteer before the meet and get your name on the Appointments roster, you will normally have free pool entry; you will receive a complimentary program; lunch and snacks are usually provided at full day meets.
How to Become a Technical Official
Training and assessment of technical officials is organised by the Area Technical Swim Committee (ATSC). If you are interested in becoming a technical official or gaining extra qualifications tell the tenical coordinator or referee at your club.
You must be a registered member of Swimming NSW (ie your club) and be of secondary school age or older.
Contact the ATSC Co-ordinator, David Cooksley - Email: sesatechnical@gmail.com
The ATSCC will
- organise the venue, date and time for your training
- organise a qualified presenter and a qualified assessor to train and assess you.
Technical Official Positions on the pool deck :
Timekeeper
Chief Timekeeper
Check Starter
Marshal (Clerk of Course)
Starter
Recorder
Inspector of Turns
Judge of Strokes
Finish Judge
Referee
Operator of AOE
Announcer
Control Room Supervisor/Recorder
National Officiating Accreditation Program
All Technical Officials in Australia are now being trained and assessed under the guidelines of Swimming Australia's National Officiating Program. Training and assessing is conducted through competency based modules similar to workplace competency courses.
For further information on the Swimming Australia National Accreditation Program, please click here. Or alternatively, please visit the Swimming NSW website.
Before You Begin Your Training
Candidates must either :
complete the online training module OR
complete the relevant Training Exercises, accompanied by the Training Notes if applicable, before meeting with the Course Presenter to gain accreditation in any of the SAL Learner Guide/Modules.
Training Format
Once the relevant technical training has been completed, it is time to gain practical experience on pool deck. Once the candidate feels ready to undertake assessment they MUST email the Area Technical convenor to arrange an assessment. Email: sesatechnical@gmail.com
The Course Assessor will assess the candidate in a practical officiating environment, probably at a Club meet or at Club night. He / She will assess the candidate as ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’ by assessing them on a list of criteria necessary to be competent in that technical official position.
If the candidate is deemed ‘competent’ in ALL the criteria, the assessor will forward their name on to Swimming Australia as being competent in that position.
If the candidate is deemed as ‘not yet competent’ the Course Assessor will discuss with them what needs to be done for they can become ‘competent’.
Updating Your Knowledge as a Technical Official
Every year Swimming NSW holds a Technical Officials Forum where you can update your knowledge. Contact the ATSCC for further information.
Working with Children Check
Please visit the Office of Children's Guardian website to submit an application for a Working with Children's Check