Swimming Officials – Join the Team in Black & White

Behind every successful swimming competition is a team of dedicated officials helping to ensure races are fair, safe and enjoyable for all swimmers.

At Leamington Spa Amateur Swimming Club, our officials are a vital part of the club. Without them, swimmers would not be able to compete at galas, achieve qualifying times, or progress through the competitive pathway.

To find out more, please visit our Contacts Page and get in touch with our Officials Coordinator.

What Do Swimming Officials Do?

Swimming officials are the volunteers who help run competitions. Depending on their qualification level, they may:

• Time races
• Judge turns and finishes
• Check strokes are performed correctly
• Assist with race administration
• Help ensure competitions are run fairly and in accordance with Swim England rules

Most officials begin as poolside timekeepers before progressing to higher levels of qualification if they wish.

Why Become an Official?

Becoming an official is a rewarding way to support your swimmer and the club. It offers:

• A front-row view of competitions
• The opportunity to learn more about competitive swimming
• A chance to contribute directly to your swimmer's success
• New skills, knowledge and friendships
• The satisfaction of helping hundreds of young athletes achieve their goals

No previous experience is required. Training and mentoring are provided, and you can progress at a pace that suits your availability and interest.

Why Officials Matter to LSASC

Competitive swimming relies heavily on volunteers. Every gala requires a minimum number of qualified officials, and clubs are expected to provide officials in proportion to the number of swimmers they enter.

Having a strong team of officials helps ensure:

• LSASC can enter swimmers into competitions
• Meets run efficiently and fairly
• Our swimmers have opportunities to race and qualify for higher-level events
• The club continues to grow and thrive

Simply put, without officials there would be no competitions.

The pathway to becoming a Swimming Technical Official

If your child swims in one of our competitive squads and you'd like to become more involved in club life, we'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're interested in occasional timekeeping or progressing through the officiating pathway, there is a role for everyone.

To find out more, please visit our Contacts Page and get in touch with our Officials Coordinator.

A number of roles exist within officiating, from Timekeeper to Judge 1, Judge 2, Judge 2S (Starter) and Referee.

Stage 1 - Timekeeper and Judge 1

Firstly, you must be 14 years or older and a Swim England member so you are insured for your activity on poolside. The Club will ensure that you are Swim England registered when you participate in Swimming Official training.

The first step on the ladder of officiating is to become a Club Timekeeper (although all those aged 15+ will be placed straight onto Judge 1 training, as timekeeping forms a part of this qualification – see below). Once the assessment is successfully completed you can officiate on the poolside at any club event but not at Licenced Open Meets.

Once you have reached the age of 15+ then you are eligible to become a Judge 1. Judge 1 qualifies you to be a Timekeeper, Chief Timekeeper, Relay Takeover Judge and a Turn Judge. The training for this begins with an online course. Following this you will gain practical poolside experience of the necessary skills at Internal Galas and Open Meets.

Stage 2 - Judge 2

Once you have completed Judge 1 you are then eligible to continue to Judge 2. Judge 2 qualifies you to judge Strokes and Finishes. Training for this begins with a formal learning session followed by practical poolside experience where you are mentored by a qualified official.

Stage 3 - Judge 2S (Starter)

Once you have completed this you are then eligible to continue to Judge 2S (Starter). Judge 2S qualifies you to start races. There is a formal teaching session prior to any practical experience. To complete this qualification there is a practical examination at an Open Meet.

Stage 4 - Referee

The last step is to become a Referee. This requires theoretical instruction and specified practical experiences. It is followed by a formal examination after which successful candidates take a final poolside practical assessment leading to qualification as a British Swimming Referee.

How do I become a Swimming Technical Official?

If your child swims in one of our competitive squads and you'd like to become more involved in club life, we'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're interested in occasional timekeeping or progressing through the officiating pathway, there is a role for everyone.

To find out more, please visit our Contacts Page and get in touch with our Officials Coordinator.