OFFICIALS
Many parents wonder how they can be a part of their children's swimming events. Carrying out the duties of an Official has many benefits, least of which is that the meet runs smoothly and more efficiently! You can know that you have played an important role in the procedures, and your participation will also allow your child to see that volunteering to assist in official duties at their events is an important role, and one to be proud of.

GCRSA can help your club carry out training and qualification of parents who are interested in becoming qualified officials. Encourage other parents to participate in these easy, fun qualification events and soon you will be enjoying the satisfaction of knowing that you were an integral part of the success of your club's meet!

For further information on how and when to run these qualification events, contact the Officials Co-ordinator for Gold Coast Region, Mr Bruce Welsh.

Here is a brief overview, as provided by SQ, of each major official assignment during a swimming meet:


Referee
The responsibilities of the Referee are many and varied. The over-riding function is to see that a Meet is properly conducted in regard to applying the Rules, and, in all ways, assuring the swimmers of fair competitive conditions.
Judge of Strokes
It is usually possible and certainly desirable to have two Officials serve as Judges of Strokes on each side of the pool.

A Judge of Stroke should range up & down the side of the pool, generally a bit behind the swimmers.

Inspector of Turns
Inspectors of Turns shall be assigned by the Referee or Chief Inspector of Turns to lanes at each end of the Pool.

Duties:
Ensure that when turning, competitors comply with the relevant turning rules, commencing from the beginning of the last arm stroke before touching and ending with the completion of the first arm stroke.
Record the number of laps completed by each competitor.
In Relay events ensure that the competitor next to swim is in contact with the Starting Block when the preceding competitor touches the Wall/Touch Pad.
At the end of the Pool display for the observation of the Competitor a card showing the number of laps still to be completed in events of 800 and 1500 metres.
At the Finish End, in Freestyle events of 800 Metres or longer give the previously determined warning signal when the competitor has two lengths plus five metres to swim to the finish.
Report any infringements to the Chief Inspector of Turns who conveys the report to the Referee. The Report must contain full details of the infringement.

Starter
Prior to each event, the Starter may brief the competitors on the stroke and distance, the method of the start (i.e. whether by gun, hooter, whistle or word of mouth) and the method of recall in the event of a false start. He may instruct them on his requirements at the start, particularly in regard to the False Start Rule.

The Starter shall:
- Take up a position for the start of a race on the side of the pool within approximately five metres of the starting end of the pool, where the timekeepers can see the starting signal and the competitors can hear it.
- Have control of the competitors from the time the referee turns them over until the Starter is satisfied that the start is fair.
- Recall the competitors if the Starter considers that the start is not a fair one. The Starter shall make a recommendation to the Referee in respect of any competitor who delays the start or disobeys their instructions. Only the referee has the power to confirm disqualification.

Chief Judge & Judge
The Chief Judge will ensure that each Judge is provided with a program and a quantity of pads on which they will write the lane numbers in the order in which the competitors finish as seen by each Judge. And will obtain a Judge's result Sheet for each race.

There should be at least three judges and, if possible, five on the panel. (The odd number is necessary to arrive at a decision).

Clerks of Course (Call Steward)
Duties:
- Check Race Sheets against the program.
- In a major Meet, alterations are made conjointly by the Recording Section, Call Steward and Referee.
- The names of the Competitors must be called loudly and clearly. Swimmers must never be addressed by surname only.
- Heats may be condensed if considered advantageous.
- After the Swimmers have been arranged in Race order, the Call Steward will hand the race Sheet to the Check Starter and pass the Swimmers over.
- The Call Steward has NO power to disqualify a Competitor from Starting. ONLY THE REFEREE HAS THE POWER TO DISQUALIFY.

Check Starter
Duties:
- Receive Competitors and race Sheets from the Call Steward.
- Ensure that the Competitors are the correct ones for the next race by checking event and names against the Program or amended Race Sheet.
- Inform the Competitors of their Lane numbers.
- Ensure all Competitors are properly attired, wearing only normal swimming attire or tracksuits when being introduced prior to the start of a Race or when being presented on a Victory Dais.
- Instruct the competitors when to move on the Pool deck.
- Prior to the commencement of a race, position each Competitor behind their correct Starting Block.
- Indicate to the Referee that all is in readiness for the start by standing at attention and facing the Referee behind the competitor furtherest from the Referee.

Desk Control (Recorder)
It is important that Recorders are aware regarding the type of nomination form to be used. The modern trend is to utilise the Swimming Australia/SQ type of "multiple entry form". That form is designed to take all nominations for one individual competitor. It best suites the operation of most computer programs.

On/after the closing date for nominations, the entries must be "seeded". Heats are seeded in accordance with the structure of the program as to whether:
- There are to be heats and finals for the events; or
- Placings are to be decided on fastest times swum in heats.

At the conclusion of the race, the A.O.E. Supervisor receives the print-out, checks the details and furnishes it to the Referee. The Referee will forward the manual time sheets, the judges sheets and the A.O.E. print-out to the Recording section.

The recorders transcribe from the A.O.E. print-out on to the Race Sheets and compare the Judges places and the manual time that has been recorded.

Should a malfunction occur causing failure by the A.O.E. to register a time and/or a place, the Referee will draw attention to the discrepancy on the A.O.E. print-out. The manual time will be inserted and/or the placings will be amended, in the appropriate manner.

It is important to remember that the A.O.E. time overrides manual times.

Announcer
Duties:
- In co-operation with the Referee and Call Steward, call competitors at least two races ahead to report to the Call Steward in the Marshalling Area.
- Announce event number, style and distance, heat number or final.
- Call swimmers to the blocks. Depending on the anticipated length of the Meet swimmers may take the block as the name and lane are called or, as the referee's whistle is blown, all step on to the blocks and names and lane numbers are then called whilst they are in the water.
- Call lap times and distances where necessary.
- Announce results (places and times) from slips prepared by Recorders.
- As place-getters mount the dais, announce the event, names and places.
- Make any other announcements as requested by the Referee or Meet Director.
- The Announcer should aim to ensure the smooth running of the Meet.

Timekeeper
Timekeepers should report to the Referee and the Chief Timekeeper and receive a Program and Lane Pads. They would meet other Officials, head up Result Sheets if necessary and check watches, as to whether they are functioning correctly and fitted with serviceable batteries.

Prior to the commencement of the Session, a 5-10 minute time check should be completed, starting and stopping on the flash of the Starters gun.

Lanes will be allocated by the Chief Timekeeper

After a trial run of watches, Timekeepers will take up positions on Lanes as allocated in accordance with the Chief Timekeepers Lane Allocation Book.