Who are we?

To put on any gala / open meet session needs a small army of volunteers and officials. Requirements for officials depend on the level of meet, but normally around 20 qualified officials are needed for most events or sessions of events that we put on. Without this many people we wouldn’t be able to run the meet. We’re the ones in white / black holding very official looking clipboards and trying not to drop pens and stopwatches into the pool.

Club poolside officials are generally parents, grandparents or older swimmers who are fed up with getting hot and sweaty on the balcony watching events and signed up to help poolside instead, getting a close up view of the action.

Why are we needed?

Most swim meets are “licensed” via Swim England. This means that times achieved at the meet will be registered on their national database and used for rankings and entry purposes to other meets.

In order to comply with the World Aquatics and Aquatics GB rules, certain numbers of officials are needed to ensure that swimmers perform their swim to the correct rules and specifications. There are many levels to officiating from Timekeeper through to Referee.

I'm not being a referee!

Don’t worry, only the craziest of us think about doing this! Requirements mean that at most events you only have one or two full referees. The rest of the officials are trained to various levels depending on experience and personal aspirations.

All training is mentored and supported throughout. Training starts with some short online theory modules and then lots of practical training at various levels of meets.

The first step on the officiating journey is Timekeeping. This is the minimum level of Official that we need to run our Grand Prix meets and club championships. For those who then wish to progress further (why wouldn’t you? Just pressing a stopwatch button can be rather boring!) the next stage is onto Judge Level 1. Once a qualified J1 you can officiate at either end of the pool judging turns and finishes, at any level of competition or meet.

Once you’ve mastered J1 the next step is training as a judge of stroke or Judge Level 2 (an excellent way of keeping fit!). Stroke judges walk up and down the poolside watching the stroke of swimmers on each length of their swim. A good 10,000 steps at our 50m open meets!

Following on from this you can then progress to be a starter and finally a referee. More Information on training and levels is available on the Aquatics GB website

Why would I do that?

As an added bonus (clear bribery really) for those who begin Judge Level 1 training we provide a club branded white polo shirt. It also means that your next Christmas or birthday present is sorted as someone can get you a stopwatch/clipboard!

Once you have completed Judge 1 training you can also claim an incredibly fashionable Hampshire ASA polo shirt.

Clothing aside, it means that whatever meet you go to you will generally be able to help out poolside and not have to pay to sit on that hot sweaty balcony ever again! Officials also get fed and watered at meets.

Volunteering like this also looks great on a CV and gives you something to talk about at when you’re asked what else you do.

Sign me up!

If you’re keen to find out more or just want to get regularly fed and watered at events (perks of the job!) then please contact us (poolside officiating) via the contact us page. One of our Officials co-ordinators (Hannah, Paul or Thelma) will get back to you. We don’t bite and are happy to meet and chat through any questions you may have. Alternatively catch anyone in white at a meet and ask a question. We really are a friendly bunch.