officiating
Swim family obligations
Families of the Calgary Patriots Swim Club are required to officiate at all club-hosted swim meets and must obtain and maintain the necessary training as meet officials to ensure the club has enough qualified personnel to run successful events. However, the Calgary Patriots Swim Club reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to accept or reject any individual for officiating roles, for any reason whatsoever.
Minimum Requirements
Officials Training: Each swim family is expected to have at least one member attend a minimum of one officials’ training clinic and shadow on deck twice during swim meets throughout the season. This is necessary to become certified in an official's role or to progress to the next Swim Canada Officiating Level. The Calgary Patriots will offer various training clinics each year to help members meet this requirement.
For those new to officiating, the club will create an officials account for you in the Swimming Canada online registration system. Once you receive your login, you can begin completing the Level 1 Certification through Swimming Canada's Learning Management System.
Volunteering as an Official: In addition, each swim family must provide a volunteer for at least two shifts (sessions) at each of our Club hosted swim meets (Team Champs, Pugsley’s Plunge, Chinook Invitational, and any other Patriots-hosted events), unless stated otherwise. This requirement applies whether or not your swimmer is participating in the meet.
Registration for officiating roles is done through the Club’s website. It is recommended that you register early to secure your preferred roles, dates, and times. Final officiating rosters will be determined at the discretion of the Officials Coordinator.
Penalties for Failing to Meet Officiating Requirements
The following penalties will be enforced if a member family does not fulfill its officiating obligations;
- Failure to sign up for any shifts by the registration deadline will result in a $400 penalty.
- Signing up for only one shift by the registration deadline (unless otherwise specified) will result in a $250 penalty.
- Cancelling an assigned shift within 48 hours of the meet's start will result in a $200 penalty.
- Failing to show up for an assigned shift, or not providing a qualified replacement, will result in a $200 penalty.
For more information regarding Officiating requirements, contact the Officials Coordinator via email at officials@calgarypatriots.com.
OFFICIALS CERTIFICATION PATHWAY
Level I - Red Pin
A. Complete the Introduction to Swimming Officiating clinic, also known as the 'Timer clinic'.
B. Complete the Safety Marshal clinic.
C. Complete registration in the Swimming Canada Officials Registration System.
Note: The requirements for Level I (A, B, C) may be completed simultaneously or in any order.
OFFICIALS CERTIFICATION PATHWAY
Level II - White Pin
A. Certify in Level I by obtaining two successful deck evaluations in the role of Timekeeper.
B. Complete the Judge of Stroke and Inspector of Turns clinic and obtain two successful deck evaluations.
C. Complete one other Level II clinic listed below and obtain two successful deck evaluations:
- Chief Timekeeper;
- Clerk of Course;
- Chief Finish Judge (CFJ) / Chief Judge Electronics (CJE);
- Meet Manager;
- Starter.
Note: Certification in the role of Chief Finish Judge/Chief Judge Electronics requires that an official obtain at least one of the two deck evaluations in the role of Chief Finish Judge.
Completing the requirements for Level II (A, B, C) may happen simultaneously or in any order.
ONLINE OFFICIALS COURSES
Online Training
- Go to https://swimming.ca/en/clinics/
- Select the online course that you are interested in taking.
The timer course is inside the 'Introduction to Swimming Clinic'. - Read through the PowerPoint.
- At the next meet, sign up for the new position indicating that you will be a “SHADOW” and need to be mentored in this position. Once a basic understanding of the position is understood from the PowerPoint most of the actual learning is accomplished “on the job.
Officials CODE OF CONDUCT and ETHICS
The Swim Alberta Code of Conduct and Ethics can be found here.