Have you got what it takes?
The Competitions that swimmers enter could not take place without officials. To host a meet at the Cardiff International Pool ideally requires 33 officials. All the officials at meets (from Club Championships to National Competition) are volunteers. There is a formal training programme for officials, with different levels of qualification, which are listed below. This training comprises of classroom sessions, practical sessions and assessment.
Courses are regularly run, either by the club, or by Swim Wales, and becoming an official gives you the opportunity to become involved in swimming.
Club Timekeeper
This course is intended as an introduction into the world of Swimming Official. It will cover practical aspects of what is required of a Timekeeper by means of a short theory session followed by a practical assessment. There is no minimum recommended age for candidates to undertake this training, although such poolside Officials do need to ensure they are registered members of a club affiliated to Swim Wales, or are individual members of the Institute of Swimming (IOS).
Judge Level 1
This is the first level of qualification. There is no pre-requisite that a candidate should have undertaken the Club Timekeepers course. This will encompass the role and duties of a Timekeeper, Chief Timekeeper, Inspector of Turns and Chief 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 and may apply to become a Licensed Official.
Judge Level 2
This is the second level of qualification. This will encompass the role and duties in relation to all aspects of judging and the theoretical role and duties of a starter. Candidates will be required to hold the Judge Level 1 qualification and be a minimum of 15 years old to commence training. Candidates may undertake some instruction and will be required to complete a course workbook, following which a practical assessment will be undertaken. However, during the practical assessment candidates will be required to answer oral questions. When qualified, candidates will be attributed with the qualification Judge Level 2 on the British Swimming Database and may apply to become a licensed official.
Starter
Candidates who wish to qualify as a starter will be required to hold the Judge Level 2 qualification and be a minimum age of 15 years. Training will consist of a prescribed number of practical experiences as a Starter before undertaking a formal practical assessment. Successful candidates will be attributes with the Starter Qualification Judge Level 2S.
Referee
On application candidates for this course are required to be qualified at Judge Level 2S. A candidate may register to commence training aged 17 years but must be 18 years old at 30th November in the year of the course.
Licensing of Officials
In 2006, recognising the need for a well regulated professional workforce, the ASA and WASA introduced a licensing scheme for officials. A document explaining this scheme can be downloaded here.
Who to Contact
If you are interested in becoming an official, or have any queries, you can contact by clicking her name.