Volunteers & Tech Officials
VOLUNTEER AND HELP MAKE SWIM MEETS HAPPEN!
Every Race Needs a Team Behind It
Did you know that swim meets simply can’t run without volunteers?
From timing races to helping with event operations, volunteers play a vital role in creating opportunities for our swimmers to compete, achieve personal bests, and enjoy the sport they love.
Why Volunteers Matter
✅ A single one-day swim meet can require up to 1,000 volunteer hours
✅ An eight-lane pool needs at least 30 Technical Officials to run a meet
✅ Qualified officials are required for meets to be officially recognised
✅ Without volunteers, there are no races, no results, and no competition
Become a Technical Official
Technical Officials are the heartbeat of swimming.
Whether you’re new to the sport or have been poolside for years, becoming an official is a rewarding way to:
- Support your child and their teammates
- Learn more about the sport
- Be part of the action on race day
- Meet other families and make lasting friendships
- Give back to the swimming community
- Financial rewards also available
No Experience? No Problem!
Training and learning pathways are available ONLINE [https://totraining.swimming.org.au/] or by speaking with us, with support every step of the way.
There are a variety of volunteer roles available, and new Technical Officials are always needed.
Join the NSW Swimming Community
Become part of a welcoming network of Technical Officials and volunteers who help make swimming possible for thousands of athletes across NSW.
Interested?
Speak to your club committee or team manager today to learn how you can get involved and start your Technical Official journey.
Your support makes every race possible!
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