HOW TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL

Swimming Championships and Meets are conducted by Clubs, Areas, State and National Bodies. The Association's Technical Officials officiate at these various Meets.

A swim meet needs a lot of officials - in an eight lane pool at least 40 are necessary if the Meet is to run well. Being an official is an excellent way of supporting your children in their favourite sport.

There are also some fringe benefits! If you volunteer before the meet and get your name on the roster, you will normally have free pool entry. You will receive a complimentary program, and lunch and snacks are usually provided at full day meets

The Association conducts a comprehensive course of lectures in all technical aspects of swimming. New officials are constantly in demand. You can help.

Below is a list of the positions for which accreditations are held and credentials issued. In most cases, all that is involved is a lecture and a practical assessment, which takes an hour or so. You will be supplied with notes prior to the lecture and will have ample opportunity to ask questions of the presenter. Most people pass! Candidates should have gained experience in the positions before going to the lectures, e.g. at Club Nights and Area Meets.

The lectures are organised by the Area ALEC Convenor. "ALEC" is short for Appointments Lectures and Examinations Committee. Interested persons should contact their Area Association's ALEC Convenor, President or Secretary. Contact details can be obtained from your Club, Area or by telephoning the Association Office.

Credentials are available for the following positions:

* Timekeeper - A great place to start. Really easy (especially with the button timing system) and you will get a great view of race finishes. We always need plenty (three per lane plus a Chief).
* Starter - Looks an easy job, except for the Men's Open 50m freestyle. Makes sure all swimmers are given an equal start (no movement, stalling etc on the blocks).
* Check Starter - Marshalling of swimmers into correct heats and lanes for the start. The credential covers Marshals and Check Starters. An important position in all meets.
* Finish Judge - An important position at manually timed meets! Involves deciding the placings of the competitors at the finish.
* Recorder - Seeds entries, processes results, checks times and also handles withdrawals, which helps the meet run smoothly by managing time effectively. Key position at all meets.
* Referee - Controls the meet and solves all problems. Must know everything in the NSW Swimmers' Digest. Referees started life as other officials and became more qualified as their interest and involvement grew.
* Turn Judges and Judges of Strokes - More technical positions, included in the qualification of Referee. Very important, especially in junior meets, as this helps the swimmers and coaches ensure that technique is correct.

Things to remember:

* Technical Officials provide the swimming community with a precious gift - time.
* Without Technical Officials there will be no swim meets and therefore the swimmers have no competition.
* Every time you work at a swim meet you help young Australians achieve their goals and stay healthy.
* Once qualified you can work Metropolitan/Country, State and even Nationals. All assistance during Club races is greatly appreciated.

Nomination forms for all Swimming NSW Meets are available from the Association Office, your Area ALEC Convenor, or the Association's website, prior to respective closing dates. Officials should nominate on the appropriate form and must return it to their ALEC Convenor in sufficient time so that the closing date shown above can be met. Official advice of your appointment will be forwarded shortly after closing dates for nominations.

If you wish to qualify as a Technical Official or gain extra qualifications ask your Club or refer to your Area ALEC Convenor. Every year NSWSA holds a Technical Officials Forum where you can update your knowledge