Officials
Officials can be easily spotted around the pool at all galas. Wearing white and armed with clipboards, stop watches and whistles ensuring that everything is running within the rules. Without them galas would not exist. All officials are volunteers, mums, dads, carers and cousins just like yourself.
Unfortunately there are never enough and this is true within our own club. We are obliged to supply Judges and Timekeepers at all the galas we attend, failure to do say can jeopardise our participation in future events. As usual the many rely on the few. In an ideal world we would have a pool of officials that could alleviate the commitment of our existing volunteers and spread the burden.
So why volunteer
How often have you commented at a gala how hot it is, how long its taking between races, why were they disqualified, how numb your bum is! Well there is an option, get educated and get poolside.
- We need you.
- There's no need to get bored or uncomfortable, get involved instead.
- It will help you & your child to gain a greater understanding of the competitive swimming environment.
- You could save money, some galas will reimburse your child's entry fees as a thank you.
- Ok so lifeguard red is not your colour, then a stylish white Essex ASA Official shirt can be yours to cherish instead.
No previous experience necessary - This is a fact, all aspects will be taught, classroom hours are limited with most time spent poolside, hands-on, often at galas that you may well be attending anyway.
ASA Club Timekeeper
This course is intended as an introduction into officiating.
Pre-requisite:
There is no minimum age requirement or any previous experience required, you don't even need to own a stopwatch.
Role:
Occasional timekeeping duties required at relevant galas.
The timekeeper's role is to accurately determine the time it took each swimmer to cover the distance of the event. Many of you use a stopwatch on your mobile phones so you're virtually qualified already.
Aims:
Covers the practical aspects of what is required of a timekeeper by means of a short theory session.
Method of assessment:
A practical assessment poolside.
Costs:
BDSC will cover the course costs.
Judge Level 1.
This will encompass the role and duties of a Timekeeper, Chief Timekeeper and Inspector of Turns. The minimum age to commence training will be 15 years old. Candidates may undertake some instruction and will be required to complete a course workbook, following which a practical assessment will be undertaken. There is no formal theory examination however, during the practical assessment candidates will be required to answer oral questions. When qualified, candidates will be attributed with the qualification Judge level 1 on the British Swimming Database. In addition, such individuals, if they wish, may apply to become a Licensed Official.
The current structure of the new qualification is as follows:
- You will be given a Judge Level 1 Workbook which contains key information for the qualification, record sheet for recording practical experience and some simple questions to complete. This is downloadable from: Sportcentric Workbook for Judge Level 1
- An initial group workshop session will be held covering course background, summary of timekeeping roles and then more detail on the role of 'Inspector of Turns'.
- You will be expected to participate in a number of gala sessions performing specific poolside roles progressing from Timekeeper (3 sessions) to Chief Timekeeper (1 session) to Inspector of Turns (2 sessions).
- Once you have completed at least two sessions as Inspector of Turns there will be another group session at which you can discuss your progress and complete some of the review questions in the workbook. At this session the course leader will also go through the duties and notes for the roles of Chief Inspector of Turns and Relay Take-off Judge.
- To complete your practical experience you will need to have completed at least 12 practical sessions Timekeeper (3 sessions), Chief Timekeeper (1 session), Inspector of Turns (5 sessions), Chief Inspector of Turns (1 session) and Relay take-off Judge (2 sessions).
- Having completed the practical experience above you will meet with your course leader to complete the remaining questions in the workbook and undergo a final assessment, before being awarded the coveted title of British Swimming Judge Level 1!
