Becoming a Technical Official

General Principles

In conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), Swimming Australia is recognising the ASC Online Introductory Level Officiating General Principles course Start your officiating accreditation by completing the online course and then book in with your state association to do a specialist unit such as timekeeper or recorder.

The free online course is now available on the ASC Learning Portal at https://learning.ausport.gov.au

How do you apply to be assessed to become a Technical Official

1. Tell your Club that you want to become a qualified technical official
2. Your Club will contact the Area ALEC Convenor who will:
• organise the venue, date and time for your training
• organise a qualified presenter and a qualified assessor to train and assess you

Before you begin your SAL Learner Guide / Module:

• Go to the Swimming NSW website www.nswswimming.com.au Download the relevant Swimming NSW training notes and training exercises for Technical Officials. [Go to Resources | Technical]The training exercises are to be done with the assistance of the training notes.Please note: Candidates attempting SAL Learner Guides / Modules for Technical Official accreditation must complete the relevant training exercises before the SAL module is attempted.

• The Course Presenter / Trainer will ask to see evidence that you have completed the training exercises. By reading the notes and doing the exercises you will have a sound base to attempt the modules.

Training Format on completion of the training exercises

• The Course Presenter will take you through the Learner Guide and you will be asked to complete a short written assessment in the Learner Guide. At the conclusion you will be told when you will be assessed in a practical officiating environment.

• The Course Assessor will assess you in a practical officiating environment, probably at a Club meet or at Club night. He /She will assess you as 'competent' or 'not yet competent' by assessing you on a list of criteria necessary to be competent in that technical official position. The criteria are in the 'Learner Guide' you will be given by the Course Presenter above.

• If you are deemed 'competent' in ALL the criteria, the Assessor will forward your name to Swimming NSW to be forwarded to Swimming Australia as being competent in that position.

• If you are deemed as 'not yet competent' your Assessor will discuss with you what needs to be done for you to become 'competent'.

NOTE:
Candidates no longer have to sit a marked written examinationThe assessment for Technical Official accreditation consists of:

1. Candidates will be asked to read the Swimming NSW Training Notes and do the accompanying Swimming NSW Training Exercises.Candidates will be given a SAL Learner Guide (also called a Module) by a qualified Presenter. Candidates will be asked to complete a short written assessment.
2. Candidates will be assessed by a qualified Assessor in a practical officiating environment at a club night or club meet.

Source: New South Wales Swimmer Vol:24 No:1 April 2008 p35