USA Swimming Officials are parent volunteers who are committed to supporting and observing swimming by ensuring fair and equitable competition. These officials are required in order to have a “legal” sanctioned meet. (Meets in which the swimmer’s time for their event is recognized by USA Swimming for meet qualifications such as Winter Nationals, Championship meets, Junior Olympic or any meet which requires a time standard for an event.)
Blue Hen Aquatics and Middle Atlantic are always looking for new volunteers to join the ranks. Being an official is a great way to serve your club and support swimming in the LSC. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Swim meets are vital for BHA’s swimmers and we cannot run a safe, fair and equitable meet without certified officials. Becoming a part of the BHA official’s team is a great way to serve the swimming community. As most clubs, we rely on our own parents/guardians/volunteers to provide the majority of officials to oversee our meets.
Five Reasons to Become an Official:
1. You’ll be working with the greatest group of volunteers in all sports.
2. You’ll be close to the action. The bleachers aren’t comfortable anyway!
3. High satisfaction; low pay.
4. It’s a great way to meet future Olympians—unless you already have one in your home
5. Great food in hospitality and you can’t beat the price!
How Do I Become an Official?
1. Attend a Stroke & Turn/Administrative Official clinic facilitated by a member of the MA Officials
2. Complete the Coaches/Officials Background Check. The Middle Atlantic Swimming Office will be notified of successful completion of the background check.
3. Register with USA Swimming as a Non-Athlete Member. Memberships run annually; anyone joining after September 1 will have a valid membership through the following calendar year. Memberships cannot be processed until the Background Check is completed. BHA will credit your team account for the same cost.
4. Create an online account with USA Swimming. Click on "Sign In" at the upper right corner, then follow the links to "Create an Account." This will allow you to complete the Athlete Protection Training and the online certification tests.
5. Complete the Athlete Protection Training Course. Your non-athlete membership must be processed before you will be able to access this online program. The MA Swimming Office will be notified once you have completed the program.
6. Complete the USA Swimming online test: "Certification - Stroke & Turn/Timer" or "Certification - Administrative Official" any time between attending the clinic and completing the required apprentice sessions.
7. Apprentice with a certified official at six (6) sessions (Admin Officials - 2 sessions which may be at the same meet). For Stroke & Turn judges these sessions may include up to two (2) dual meet and/or Mini meet sessions. You may receive apprentice credit for up to two sessions per meet regardless of total number of sessions observed. You do not need to complete the online test before beginning theses sessions, but it is recommended that you do so
