Officials Section
Officials Qualifications & Training
England, Scotland and Wales are in alignment over the training of swimming officials. This means training is standardised across the UK. Following are details of the demands of each level of training, and the forms to apply.
England, Scotland and Wales have been working towards common standards in the education and training of all swimming officials.All three Home Countries now use FINA Technical Rules. As such, trained officials are listed as British Swimming Officials.
The importance of insurance
All clubs, promoters and competition organisers are reminded that, for insurance purposes, all those officiating on poolside at any competition must be registered members of a British Swimming affiliated club or a member of the Institute of Swimming.
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Below is a description of the various training available and additional useful information.
At the bottom of this page is the current list of club mentors who can assist in your training for judge levels 1 and 2. Mentoring for judge level 2S (starter) should only be undertaken by either another J2S or referee.
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Timekeeper
Who is the course designed for?
By becoming a timekeeper, you will get a glimpse into the world of officiating.
You need to be at least 14 years of age and a registered member of a Swim England affiliated club, or a member of the Institute of Swimming. Clubs rely on their members training to become timekeepers, in order for them to run events.
The training involves an online course, followed by a practical assessment.
The online course covers what being a timekeeper is all about, and should take you less than 90 minutes to complete. You can start the online course as soon as you are booked on, and it can be accessed multiple times before completion. Once completed, you will need to upload your e-certificate via the Swim England member options page: https://swimmingresults.org/member_options/
Your club mentor can then help to arrange a practical session for you at an event.
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Click here for access to online Theory course for Timekeepers
Who is the course designed for?
This online learning is the first step to achieving Judge 1 status for swimming technical officiating. It is accessible to anyone who wants to understand the FINA rules relating to swimming and the process of being a Judge Swimming Official. This course is designed for people who are already qualified as a Time Keeper.
If you are not already qualified as a Time Keeper please see Judge Level 1 Course
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Training format
This course consists of online e-learning that covers the theory element only and needs to be completed prior to taking the practical poolside assessments.
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Course content
The Judge 1 for qualified Time Keepers online learning is designed to help you to understand the roles of a:
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Inspector of turns
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Chief inspector of turns
You will also be introduced to the relevant FINA rules along with video footage which will help you to interpret how those FINA rules are applied in practice.
Following the completion of the online learning, you will need to upload your certificate to your home nations platform. Once this is completed you will be sent your training logbook and further details for your practical assessment. At this point, please make contact with your Officials Coordinator to identify your next steps. Please contact swimmingofficials@swimming.org to book your practical assessment.
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Click here to access the online Judge 1 Theory course for qualified Timekeepers
Judge 1 for
Qualified Timekeepers
Judge Level 1
Who is the course designed for?
This online learning is the first step to achieving Judge 1 status for swimming technical officiating. It is accessible to anyone who wants to understand the FINA rules relating to swimming and the process of being a Judge Swimming Official and Time Keeper. You must be at least 15 years of age at the start of the course.
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Training Format
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E-learning – approx. 6-8 hours
You can start this online course as soon as you are booked on and it can be accessed multiple times before completion.
Course content
This online learning covers the theory element only and needs to be completed prior to taking the practical poolside assessments.
The Judge Level 1 online learning is designed to help you to understand the roles of a:
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Timekeeper
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Chief timekeeper
-
Inspector of turns
-
Chief inspector of turns
You will also be introduced to the relevant FINA rules along with video footage which will help you to interpret how those FINA rules are applied in practice.
Following the completion of the online learning, you will need to upload your certificate to your home nations platform. Once this is completed you will be sent your training logbook and further details for your practical assessment. At this point, please make contact with your Officials Coordinator to identify your next steps
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Click here to access the online Judge 1 Theory course
This is the second level of qualification. It encompasses the role and duties in relation to all aspects of judging and the theoretical role and duties of Starter.
The minimum age to start training is 16 years and candidates must have already qualified as Judge Level 1. Currently there is no online tutoring, so training consists of initial formal introduction with a workbook, mentored pool side training with competencies and poolside sessions being signed off and a final poolside practical assessment by one of the county assessors. This will include acting as a placing judge to prove competency in this area.
When qualified, candidates will be attributed with the qualification Judge Level 2 on the British Swimming Database.
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For information relating to the role of a Judge level 2 Click here
Judge Level 2
Judge Level 2S (Starter)
Candidates wishing to qualify as a Starter will be required hold the Judge Level 2 qualification and have completed a minimum of 20 hours post qualification experience as Judge Level 2.
Training will consist of a prescribed number of practical experiences as a Starter before undertaking a formal practical assessment.
Successful candidates will be attributed with the Starter qualification: Judge Level 2S
The minimum age for training is 19 years providing the candidate is aged 20 years as at 30 November in the year of the theory examination.
This course contains theoretical instruction and specified practical experiences. It is followed by a formal examination in November after which successful candidates take a final poolside practical assessment leading to qualification as a British Swimming Referee.
Several months have been allocated between registration and the formal examination to enable candidates to undertake all the practical experience required to complete the course as well as the theoretical instruction.
Application forms must usually be submitted by 31 December of the previous year to allow sufficient time for completion of training in preparation for the November examination.
2022 exam dates
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Saturday 7 May 2022 (invitation only)
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Saturday 19 November 2022
The pre-requisites and application process for Referee training are available here: British Swimming Referee Training Process. Please ensure that you have familiarised yourself with them before applying for training.
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Applications for the November 2022 exam are now open – Application form
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British Swimming Referee Training Notes - click here
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Referee
Additional Useful Information
2023 Disqualification Report - Click here
Judge level 2 Application Form - Click Here
Judge level 2 Workbook - Click Here
License Meet Information
Announcer's Prompt Card - Click here
Swim England Membership Check
Swim England Swimwear Guidance
World Aquatics (FINA) Rules Update
Mentoring
Stroke Training Videos - Click below:
May not be to World Aquatics Rules Update 2023-2025
Mentors
Club | Mentor | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
City of Leicester | Jackie Hanes | colscofficials@gmail.com |
Hinckley | Russ Trahearn | russelltrahearn@gmail.com |
Neptune | Min Chauhan | officials@lnsc.org.uk |
Penguins | Rachel McLaren | rachelmclaren@doctors.org.uk
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Sharks | Lee Smith | lee.smith.swim@gmail.com |
Loughborough | ||
Mkt Harborough | ||
Melton Mowbray | Hanna Coburn | hannaj.coburn@gmail.com |
Oadby & Wigston | MaryJoy Appleton | maryjoyappleton@gmail.com |
Coalville | Jackie Harrison | jharrison708@btinternet.com |
Braunstone | Pam Tilley | pam.tilley68@gmail.com |