Each year we need to recruit new people who may have an interest in filling the voids of those officials who have retired.
There is education and training available to fulfill any of the ”Official” positions listed below. This is a tremendous service you can provide to your swim team and to other teams in the Midwestern District. There is a great need at this time for more volunteers in this capacity.
For Application Rules & Regulations, Training/Education, Testing and Clinics go to:
usaswimming.org
To get started you will be required to:
- do a background check
- take the Athlete Protection Training through USA Swimming
- apply for a membership with USA Swimming
- complete the required Concussion Protocol Training
- First you must take a short introductory class, typically in person
- Completion of an online/open book test
- Apprenticeships with a certified official
- Submit the Application for Certification
If you are ready to start the process of becoming an official, please contact Kent Olberding (kento14@hotmail.com or 402-316-9760) for more info.
OFFICIALS – Definition
Stroke and Turn Judges – observes the swimmers from the side lines/ends of the pool to endure the rules relating to the mechanics of each stroke are being followed and to ensure the starts, turns and finishes comply with the rules applicable to each stroke.
Referee – the person in charge of all officials at a sanctioned meet and the one who enforces all rules and decides all questions about actual conduct of the meet. The referee also decides any point where opinions of the judges differ.
Starter – the person who starts each race. The Starter has control of the swimmers from the time they are assigned to their proper lane by the Clerk of Course until the gun is fired or horn is sounded.
Certified Administrative Official – the person who deals with entry problems, scratch issues, timing resolutions. Is a sounding board for the Meet Referee and coordinates the information from the HyTek and Computer people to the Announcer.