Volunteers & Tech Officials
Technical Officials & Other Volunteering
Running a swim meet takes a whole team of dedicated people, each playing a vital role behind the scenes. Some roles require formal training and accreditation, and for a meet to be officially recognised, it must be staffed with the right mix of qualified officials.
Volunteers, especially Technical Officials, are the heartbeat of swimming. Without them, there are no races, no results, and no competition for swimmers to shine. In fact, a single one-day swim meet can require around 1,000 volunteer hours, showing just how much the sport depends on the generosity and commitment of its community.
An eight-lane pool alone needs at least 30 Technical Officials to keep a meet running smoothly, which means new officials are always in demand. Becoming an official is not only essential to the sport it’s also a rewarding way to support your child and be right at the centre of the action.
Find out how to become a Technical Official, the learning pathways available through your club membership, and see how you can become part of the close-knit NSW Technical Official community and make great new friendships.
SNSW RULES – KNOW THE RULES
Swimming Rules are updated regularly and it’s important you know the rules. Please see SNSW website for all current updates..
SMNE TECHNICAL OFFICIAL ALLOWANCE SCHEME POLICY
The MNE region relies on the contribution of our volunteer technical officials (TOs) for the running of our events. This allowance policy was developed to assist the TOs with their expenses in providing these services. SMNE will pay an allowance for TOs who provide volunteer services at MNE sanctioned events. Please click here to read the policy. Applications will be made online for each meet.
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
Please check our Events Page to see which Meets require Technical officials to volunteer.
TRAINING
Many officials enjoy the opportunity to learn new roles, although there is no obligation to progress.
Online training resources:
- For Community Officiating Essential Skills (COES) course click here
- For Sport integrity Australia (SIA) courses like below, please click here
- Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport
- Anti Doping Fundamentals
- Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling
- Annual Update
Technical Officials Online Training is now available for the following positions, Available 24×7 free of charge:
Timekeeper / Chief Timekeeper
Marshall (aka Clerk of Course or Help Desk) and Check Starter
Inspector of Turns
Judge of Stroke
Starter
Recorder
Dolphin Timing operator
Meet Manager operator
For those who have not officiated before Timekeeper, Checkstarter and Marshall (aka Clerk of Course or Helpdesk) are recommended as good starting points.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU COMPLETE THE ONLINE COURSE?
- Candidates should gain practical experience initially at a Club or Area meet
- Once they are ready, they will be assessed by a SNSW assessor, usually at an SMNE meet
- Completed paperwork is forwarded to SNSW and eventually a ‘Technical Official’ badge and plastic card will be received. Candidates are licensed to officiate as soon as they have passed their assessment.
HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT TRAINING IN OTHER POSITIONS?
Contact Dean Vince, SMNE ATSC Coordinator by email: atsc@smne.org.au.
OTHER VOLUNTEER ROLES – TEAM MANAGERS
At higher level meets, a Club Team manager may be required to assist the coaches with various duties ensuring coaches can focus on coaching and not have to go off pool deck to sort out any issues that may arise. For a description of what a Team Manager should do, please click HERE.
RESOURCES FOR TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
SNSW provides a number of forms and resources for Technical Officials which can be found HERE