Officials

Swimming Technical officials (STOs) are a central part of every swimming event and play an important role in ensuring the events run smoothly, safely and within the sport’s regulations.

 

A number of roles exist within officiating, including club timekeeper, recorder, timekeeper, starter, judge and referee.

There are already hundreds of STOs across the country and with the sport continuing to grow, there are lots more opportunities to get involved.

How do you become a Swimming Technical Official?

If you are aged 16 years or over, with an interest in swimming – or enthusiasm to learn! – then you have taken the first step to becoming a Swimming Technical Official.

Firstly, you must be a member of Scottish Swimming so you are insured for your activity on poolside. If you are not already a member of a club, click here for details of your nearest club.

The first step on the ladder of officiating is to become a Club Timekeeper. Your Club Secretary can organise a Club Timekeeper Assessment through your District STO Convener. This requires eight people and consists of a lecture followed by practical experience/assessment of timekeeping on the poolside.

Once the assessment is completed, you simply fill in a conversion form and attend 10 sessions at events with a registered Scottish Swimming Referee in charge who will sign your poolside duties form.

Having successfully completed these stages, you will become a fully fledged, registered Scottish Swimming Technical Official, hopefully enjoying the experience of officiating as well as assisting your club.

If you wish to progress further, the examination structure for Technical Officials is as follows: Club Timekeeper – Timekeeper – Judge – Starter – Referee (Recorder at anytime after Timekeeper). Or Timekeeper – Recorder or Timekeeper – AOE Operator

Club Timekeeper and AOE Operator are by assessment only. Judge, Starter and Recorder are by a written examination followed by probationary periods on the pondside. Referee is also a written examination after a one year training period.

Visit the Download section for information on the latest developments, training courses, events and other information.