Useful links:
Quick Reference Infraction Card - World Aquatics
Quick Reference Infraction Card - World Para Swimming
World Aquatics - Competition Regulations
World Para Swimming - Rules & Regulations
If you’ve been to a swim meet, you may have noticed that it takes the support of many people. We rely on volunteers from our swimming community to play their part so that the meet can run smoothly and be approved. There are two ways you can get involved; becoming a technical official, or filling a non-accredited role. Read below to find out about becoming a technical official, find information about non-accredited roles here.
To become a technical official, you must undergo training. You’ll start by training as an IOT. After you’ve been an IOT for a year, you can train as a JOS. After 6 months as a JOS, you can train to be a starter. You can then train as a Referee.
Inspector of Turns – Ensures the compliance of starts, turns and finishes.
Judge of Stroke – Ensures the compliance of each stroke over the entire race.
Starter – Ensures all athletes receive a fair and equitable start.
Referee – Has overall authority and responsibility over all officials and ensures compliance with all the rules.
If you’re interested in learning more about these roles and the progression, click here to view the SNZ Technical Official Learning Pathway.
Here in the Auckland-Northland region, we have many experienced officials and a technical committee who can help you with your officiating journey. It all begins on pool deck. We recommend that you talk to our officials or your club administrator when you are ready to start your training.
To begin their training, a trainee official should:
- Register as a volunteer with their club to obtain a Swimming New Zealand Member ID Number.
- Apply to be police vetted via SNZ. The SNZ police vetting resources can be found here.
- Register and complete the online training modules here.
- Download the learning log to be completed and signed off by a referee every time they volunteer for a session at a swim meet.
- Gain experience as a trainee at meets.
- When they are ready to be assessed, complete the Assessment Application Form and return it to officials@swimming.org.nz
- Once qualified, officials will receive an ASA shirt. To arrange this, please email the ASA office (admin@swimmingauckland.org) and ensure you attach the form with sign off from the assessor, and include your contact details and address. Swimming New Zealand does not currently advise us when officials have qualified, so it is important to contact us directly to arrange your officials' shirt.
For more information and resources, Click here to view the SNZ Welcome to Officiating Pack. Any Officials Education queries can be directed to your club administrator, or to the Swimming New Zealand Technical Official & Volunteer Development Lead; Carlrine Gillespie officials@swimming.org.nz
Below are buttons to view/download the following:
- The SNZ Official Learning Pathway
- SNZ Officials Assessment Application (Please use this form to apply to be assessed)
- ASA Officials Assessment Form (Please use this form to notify ASA if you qualify as an official, so that we can provide you with an ASA shirt)
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