Volunteer to be a Swim Meet Official
If your kids will be participating on the Skyline Swim Team, then please consider volunteering to be an official this year! These positions are critical for smooth running meets, and are a great way to contribute to the success of the swim team program. Officials need to be certified by attending a pre-season clinic. Here are the positions we need and the dates for the clinics:
Positions
- Starter/Referee: This can be performed by one or two people. The Referee is the head official and often serves as the Starter. The Referee has full jurisdiction over the meet and sees that all rules are enforced. The Referee must know all SSL rules and their interpretations. The Starter advises swimmers at the start of each race as to the stroke and distance. The Starter fires the gun to start each event and is responsible to keep the meet moving in a timely manner. The Starter/Referee is supplied by the home team.
- Stroke & Turn Judge: These officials observe swimmers in each event for legal starts, strokes and turns; they may disqualify (DQ) a swimmer for violations. Each judge is responsible for monitoring the one half of the lanes of the pool closest to the side on which they are standing. This job is perfect for someone with a swimming background. Two are required from each team per meet.
- Scorer: Keeps official score for the meet. They receive all roster changes from the coaches, prepare event cards, record event results and assign, record and total team points. Scorers also resolve ties or discrepancies between place judges. Two are required from each team per meet. Attendance at the Scorers Clinic is encouraged, but not required in order to work as a scorer.
Pre-Season Clinics for Officials
- Tuesday, May 27: Experienced Referee/Starter Clinic, Shue-Medill Middle School, 6:30pm
- Saturday, June 7: Stroke & Turn, Referee/Starter Clinic, Western YMCA Youth Development Center, 8:00am
- Tuesday, June 10: Coaches & Scorers Clinic, Western YMCA Youth Development Center, 6:30pm
- Thursday, June 12: Stroke & Turn, Referee/Starter Clinic, Western YMCA Youth Development Center, 6:30pm
If you can help out, please plan to attend the appropriate clinic - and let our Swim Team Coordinators know which position you are volunteering for.
THANK YOU!