Official Roles

Swimming Australia in conjunction with Swimming Victoria have created a National Technical Official Accreditation program which aims to promote a professional approach to the identification, training, and ongoing development of technical officials for all levels of swimming conducted by, or on behalf of Swimming Australia.

Some of the Units of Competency offered in the program and their respective Unit Codes are listed below. For additional information contact Swimming Australia swim@swimming.org.au or telephone: (02) 6219 5600. Similarly, you can contact Swimming Victoria on www.swimmingvictoria.org.au

Career Paths for Officials

TIMEKEEPER - UNIT CODE SWMTOFF05
Timekeepers play a vital role in all swim meets. The sport of swimming is based on time. If accurate times are not taken and recorded, there are major problems for the outcomes of events. The role of a timekeeper is to accurately time a competitor from the start to the completion of the race with a touch at the finish. Most officials commence as a timekeeper, they are asked to fill in as the (Club, District, or State) are short of officials and it is easy. Having started you are requested to do it again, and again until someone says why not become an official by doing the exam. You will complete a workshop which covers all of the questions in the examination. Having successfully completed the examination and become a qualified timekeeper the next step would be to become a Marshall.

MARSHALL - UNIT CODE SWMTOFF04
The role of the marshall is to assemble the competitors and prepare them for the starter in good time. This role is the true engine room of swimming, good marshall's can make a swim meet whilst bad ones can destroy a meet. It
requires a cheerful demeanor, good discipline and at times a loud voice. Other roles covered in the marshalling area include Check Starter, (the final check before they swim), and Presentation Officer who ensures the place getters are ready for the award ceremony.

RECORDER - UNIT CODE SWMTOFF09
The role of the recorders is twofold, firstly to ensure that the listing of the finalists compiled after the heats is correct, and secondly to ensure that the final result is correctly compiled. The actual tasks to be carried out will depend upon the type of meet, and how the times are being recorded. There are differences between recording a meet where manual timekeepers are in use, or a meet with a full AOE (timing pads) or SAT (buttons) in use. A good recorder must know and understand all of the alternative systems that may be encountered within the District or State of which you are a member.

STARTER - UNIT CODE SWMTOFF02
The role of the starter is very straight forward, it is to ensure that ALL competitors
receive a FAIR start. This is regardless of whether it is a one start or a two start meet. As the starter you must be aware of the starting mechanism to be used, whether gun, hooter, or
any other mechanism. All competitors should be stationery in a set position when the start signal is given.

JUDGE - UNIT CODE SWMTOFF08
The position of judge is not a common one now, as it has been superseded by having three timekeepers per lane. The role is to record accurately the sequence in which competitors touch the finish line. As a judge you require excellent concentration and the ability to write quickly and legibly the lane numbers in sequence. [top]

ANNOUNCER
Strictly speaking this position is not an official as it is not listed by FINA as one of the positions necessary for a meet. It is however one that is normally occupied
by a qualified official who knows and understands what is required to run a swim meet. A good clear voice able to cope with varying quality PA systems is the major skill requirement.

AOE OPERATOR
Strictly speaking this position is not an official as it is not listed by FINA as one of the positions necessary for a meet. Given the various types of AOE equipment in use the major requirement is in computer skills and in understanding of the system in use.

MEET MANAGER OPERATOR
Strictly speaking this position is not an official as it is not listed by FINA as one of the positions necessary for a meet.
The major skill requirement is clearly computer knowledge, together with keyboard and mouse skills.

REFEREE - UNIT CODE SWMTOFF10
The role of a referee is generally speaking to ensure that the swim meet is run according to the rules, and secondly to ensure that all of the other officials are carrying out their roles correctly. It is NOT primarily to disqualify competitors who are not complying with the rules, other officials have this role. Before an official will be considered for examination as a referee he (or she) will need to be
qualified in the following positions; timekeeping, recording, and marshalling. They are not required to be qualified as a starter (although they probably will be), but they must have demonstrated a knowledge of the position. They should also have knowledge of how any AOE or SAT equipment used in their area works, so that they can respond properly to any parent who ask questions during the course of a meet. Officials should not expect to be examined for the status of referee until they have worked as a
trainee (or assistant), for a period of about three seasons. During this period they should work under direct supervision of a qualified referee either on the side as a Judge of Strokes or as Referee in Charge. In the metropolitan area during this period trainee referees will spend many sessions as an Inspector of Turns. It must be noted that in general terms the Inspectors of Turns
and Judges of Stroke make most of the recommendations for disqualification to the Referee in Charge and this training time is most valuable.

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