VOLUNTEERS & OFFICIALS

Timekeeping is where most parents start as volunteers. So, what does timekeeping involve?

• Timekeepers are responsible for starting their stopwatches on the starting and stopping their stopwatches at the appropriate time, as well as activating the push buttons (where applicable) when any part of the athlete’s body touches the wall at the completion of the race.
• One timekeeper per lane must record all times on the lane timer sheets. These sheets are used to determine the race results, especially when the meet has no electronic timing system available.
• Timekeepers should report to the Chief Timekeeper at least 15 minutes before the start of the session.

When volunteers have timekept at 5 events, they may choose to fill the Chief Timekeeper role. What does being a Chief Timekeeper involve?

• Operating two stopwatches every single race and recording the winner’s time on the provided timesheet. The second stopwatch acts as a backup if a Timekeeper’s watch fails.
• Throughout the session, the Chief Timekeeper circulates around all timekeepers, ensuring all recorded times are within an acceptable tolerance (i.e., within 3/10th of a second). The Chief Timekeeper should also liaise with the Referee throughout the session on such times with special instructions (recording split times) or concerns
• At the completion of the session, the Chief Timekeeper must ensure all stopwatches have been returned while compiling lane timer sheets for the Recorder.
• The Chief Timekeeper should report for duty at least 30mins before the start of the session, check in all timekeepers and provide instructions. The Chief Timekeeper should also consult with the Referee regarding the Timekeeper quota, specific instructions, etc.

Marshals are responsible for organising athletes into their correct lanes 4-6 heats prior to their race, and ensuring athletes arrive behind the blocks at the correct time.

They are also responsible for:

• Assessing athlete swimwear, from a distance, against the current policies, also falls within the responsibility of the Marshal. Should any issues arise, the Marshal should consult with the Referee.
• Organising the marshalling area and ensuring that there is enough seating.
  
• The Marshall should report for duty at least 15 minutes before the start of the session.

If you like working with electronic equipment, this may be your niche!

• The AOE (Automatic Officiating Equipment) Operator is responsible for setting up and operating the control console, touch pads, starting system and scoreboards (when used).
• The Recorder is responsible for data entry, athlete seeding, and meeting results.
• During the competition, the AOE Operator and Recorder work with the Referee and other officials to maintain the smooth operation of the competition.
• Both roles require presence at the facility earlier than most, normally dictated by the setup process employed for each competition.

The first stage in your officiating journey is undertaking the training and assessment procress to become an Inspector of Turns (IOT). 

The Inspector of Turns observes athletes from the end of the lane(s) to ensure that the starts, turns, and finishes comply with the rules applicable to each stroke.

IOT training consists of two components: theoretical and practical. The theory module is delivered right to your armchair through an online platform, providing trainees with a solid base to build their practical trainee sessions, and practical training will take place on a pool deck near you.

Once becoming an accredited Inspector of Turns, the next stage in your officiating journey is to becoming a Judge of Stroke (JOS)

The Judge of Stroke walks alongside the pool, observing swimmers to ensure compliance with the rules relating to each stroke over the entire race.

• The JOS position is intended to give experienced IOTs an opportunity to experience officiating from the side of the pool before moving on to train as a referee.
• Inspector of Turns, who has held that qualification for at least 12 months or has officiated as an IOT for numerous meets, may advance to train as a Judge of Stroke.

Training has been split into two sections - theory and practical. The theory component is an online module that provides a solid base before embarking on the practical trainee sessions.

With your Inspector of Turns and Judge of Stroke accreditation under your belt, why not continue along the officiating pathway and expand on all those learnt skills by training to become a Starter.

The Starter ensures that all athletes receive a fair and equitable start. The Starter works closely with the Referee, assuming the responsibility of the race start at the Referee’s signal. At that time, the Starter invites athletes to "take their marks" ensuring no athlete is moving before the starting signal.

• Starters are also responsible for ensuring that the starting equipment is in proper working order before the start of the competition.

Training has been split into two sections - theory and practical. The theory component is an online module that provides a solid base before embarking on the practical trainee sessions.

The final step on the regional officiating pathway combines all your learnt knowledge and skills, so what’s involved in becoming a Referee?

The Referee has overall authority and responsibility over all officials and ensures compliance with all the rules. The Referee resolves all questions relating to the conduct of the swim meet where applicable and decides on disqualifications. The referee ensures that all officials are in place, timekeepers are ready, and that all swimmers are present and ready for the start of the
race.

When you become knowledgeable in all aspects of running a swim meet, such as Starter, Judge of Stroke, Inspector of Turns, timekeeping, computer operation, scoring and all rules that pertain to providing fair and equitable competition for all swimmers, you can qualify to assume the duties of a Referee.

• Referees have the ultimate responsibility that the rules of swimming (FINA, Swimming NZ, Swimming Otago, and the competition) are applied accurately, fairly, and consistently. The referee is responsible for ensuring that the minimum officiating requirements are met for designated meets and that the competition conforms with Swimming NZ and Swimming Otago regulations.
• Referees are expected to be available to act at competitions at which they have no swimmers attending and to take a role in mentoring and training officials in their clubs and across the region. As a minimum, trainee Referees must have IOT, JOS and Starter regional accreditations.