Becoming an Official
Motivation
One of the best ways to support your children as they progress is to become an official. Swim Officials, like many volunteer positions, is critical to the functioning of a swim team. Some of the key reasons are:
- Swim Officials are required for swimmers times to count -
For a swimmers times to be valid a swim meet must have sufficient officials
- Swim Officials allow a club to host competitive meets -
A club ability to attract competitive teams is driven by our ability to host meets. This includes building a pipeline to having starters, Admin Officials and Referees on the team
- Swim Officials help us get invited by other clubs -
We get invited to away meets because we are able to provide officials that can ensure a successful meet.
Benefits to me
There are a number of benefits of becoming an official that other volunteer positions do not offer. Here are some key highlights
- Best View of the deck - As an official you are up close to the water and can see how swimmer in action without the crowds in the stands
- Access to your swimmer - USA Swimming Safe-sport requirements require that parents are not allowed on deck. By being an official you are able to interact with your swimmer.
- Friendships - As an official you meet people from different backgrounds and experiences. Many new friendships are forged during the breaks.
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Opportunity to work National meets - If your swimmer progresses to national level meets, as an official you have the opportunity to work a national deck (requires additional cerification). For some they enjoy the experience that they continue officiating long after their swimmers have left home and started their own families with the next generation of swimmers.
I am Sold, What next?
There are two paths within in USA Swimming ...
- Officiating Positions - These include Stroke and Turn, Starter and Referee
- Administrative Positions - Electronic Timing and Admin Official.
Officiating Positions
- Stoke and Turn
The officiating path starts with becoming a Stroke and Turn Judge. A Stroke and Turn Judge is responsible for observing the swim and applying the USA Swimming rules. Violations of the rules, results in a Disqualification (DQ). A DQ is a critical tool for coaches to understand how to guide their swimmers to do there best.
- Starter
After being a Stoke and Turn Judge, the next position is Starter. A Starter is responsible for getting swimmers off the blocks and into the water. The Starter works along side a Deck Referee who runs the pool.
- Deck and Meet Referee
After having been a Stroke and Turn, a starter and develop sufficient experience, the next step is a Deck Referee. A Deck Referee manages the deck. They ensure that from the time swimmers get behind the blocks, until they finish their swim that the process was safe and equitable. In addition to Deck Referees, we have a Meet Referee. A meet referee is responsible for the overall meet (think of him as a CEO that delegates roles and responsibilities to all volunteers). In Oregon currently, we don't distinguish between Deck and Meet from a training perspective. Some referees do not take on the Meet Referee role.
Admin Roles
- Electronic Timing
Electronic Timing position is responsible for managing and running the Timing for the meet. This role is multi-faceted. It includes running the timing console (captures swimmers times), timing resolution (making sure the times are correct) and Meet Manager (software used to record the official times).
- Administrative Official (AO)
The AO is responsible for managing the ET crew and validating that the results are correct. They work very closely with Meet Referee to make sure that the meet runs smoothly. Essentially the AO is the auditor of the meet. To become an AO in Oregon requires having performed the duties of ET for a period of time.
What Steps do I need to take
The following steps need to be completed. Once steps are completed, you are ready to start your training.
Steps To Follow:
- Determine whether you want to become a Stroke and Turn or an Admin/ET Official
- Register an Official with USA Swimming using the following link https://omr.usaswimming.org/omr/welcome/3896FE19F3BE46. (Oregon does not have an apprentice registration)
- Complete the Training for the Position. Click here https://university.usaswimming.org/landing
- For Stroke and Turn:
- Complete "Foundation of Officiating"
- Complete "Stroke and Turn Certification Course"
- Download:Training Log
- For Admin Official:
- Complete "Foundation of Officiating"
- Complete "Administrative Official Certification"
- Download: TrainingLog
- Complete a back ground check (https://www.usaswimming.org/safe-sport/complete-a-background-check)
- Complete Athlete Protection Training (https://www.usaswimming.org/resource-center/athlete-protection-training)
- Complete Concussion Training (https://www.usaswimming.org/officials/concussion-protocol-training)
- Send an email to johanv.referee at gmail.com with the Title: "I am reading to go ondeck" and
- A screen shoot of your results from the certification test
- A certificate of completion for APT
- A certificate of complete for Concussion Training
Important Links
The following gives good information and resources on each training position https://www.teamunify.com/team/wzorlsc/page/officials/training
Dedication, determination, and the drive to succeed define the character of the approximately 250 athletes who are part of the award-winning Tualatin Hills Swim Club. In the pool, at home and at school, THSC swimmers are on their way to becoming champions.
THSC is one of the oldest, most successful, and well-respected teams in the Pacific Northwest. Our athletes compete at the local, regional, national and international level. Our alumni include multiple national, NCAA and international competitors, as well as National Team members and Olympic medalists.
We're incredibly proud of our inspiring and motivated swimmers as well as our outstanding success record.
