Swim Official Training and Recertification
March 30th
Below is some important information on registering to become a swim official. This year, all previous officials must re-certify and below is info on that, too.
For more information, please contact the Waves Lead Official, John Stekla, at [email protected].
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Training sessions will begin next week on Tuesday Apr 5th and go through April 30th. There is a training calendar located at www.nwal.org Go to "Officials" from the main page, then click on "All Officials." Look for the 2011TrainingSchedule.
In order to sign up for courses they will need to go to the "Certification" link from the officials page on nwal or use the link below:
Once here they will need to reuse last year's login (if they can't remember, have them email me [email protected]) or if they are new, create a new login. Once they login find the "Class Signup" link on the top menu, then follow the on screen directions.
Returning referees will need to signup for the "Ref Recertification" lecture. Once completed with the lecture they will need to take the Referee Recert Test, on line.
Returning S&T and Staters will need to complete the On Line Recertification Test.
For folks who are returning officials, here are some further guidelines. To maintain multiple certifications, I believe you need to complete each requirement but I am checking.
Clarification on training and certification, particularly recertification candidates:
Here is what you must do:
Stroke and Turn: Study the new rulebook, pass an online examination. No lecture, no on deck
Starter: Study the new rulebook, pass an online examination. No lecture, no on deck.
Referee: Attend a recertification lecture, study the new rulebook, pass an online examination. No on deck.
All examinations are open book.
REFEREE INITIAL RECERTIFICATION CANDIDATES: There is no longer an on deck training session required for referee initial certification. Once you do a lecture, you are free to take the test
All initial certification candidates and recert referees: After completing the requirements preliminary to taking the test, give the TandC chairman time to enable your test. This is not an instantaneous thing. This is done to prevent people from doing things out of order. The test comes last.
Usually, the "entry" official position is that of a Stroke and Turn Official (S&T). A swim meet requires the greatest number of these officials. They are the folks who watch the swimmers for infractions as the title suggests, as they swim and then properly do turns. Now you may say, I can't do this since I am more of an anchor rather than a swimmer. No problem! You do not have to swim or even know the strokes at this time to volunteer. You attend a lecture and then an "on-deck" training course where they demonstrate the various infractions. Philosophically, the benefit of the doubt always goes to the swimmer. It is not our job to catch every infraction but to keep the competition even. It also gives you the best seat in the house.
The next level up if you will is as a starter. This position has real power since once the Meet referee gives you the OK", the meet is in your hands. You announce the stroke and distance, get the swimmers set, and then send them off. This is personally my favorite job. It is best if you can be a stroke and turn for a year or two and then become a starter.
The final level is that as a referee. This position is primarily concerned with the organization and actual running of the meet. For some teams with a lack of officials, you can jump right to this position (as you can with starter) but we are fortunate to have a good group of returning officials each year so we usually do not have to "force feed" anyone into a job.
So there is a quick summary. It is a great way to directly participate in your children's activity and you positively touch a couple of hundred kids each weekend because the meets can't happen without you. It is very rewarding and a lot easier than being a soccer ref!
Please sign up on-line and I hope to see you "on-deck" sometime this week!
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Below is more information received April 6, 2011 regarding Official Recertification:
There is a class at Creekwood in The Woodlands this Saturday so you may want to take advantage of that opportunity if it fits into your schedule. Make sure you check out the NWAL website (NWAL.org)
If you are currently an official or intend to become one, please contact John (his e-mail address is above) and let him know of your intentions for this summer. He needs to know who to expect back so he can create a list of Waves officials. I hope it is every one of you plus several new officials! John has MANY years of experience and will be a fantastic mentor for you. He also has the Rule Books you will nee
