HELPING OUT

Here’s how to get involved at each level

VOLUNTEERING

VOLUNTEER TIMEKEEPER AT CLUB

Often our first involvement is when we are asked be a Timekeeper at Club: Starting the stopwatch on the Start Signal, stopping it when the swimmer finishes, and then writing down the time. Becoming involved in this way leads to a very rewarding and satisfying life style change, as it opens up a whole pathway of involvement in the sport.

If you want to go further, Swimming Australia has provided an easy pathway for interested people to become an accredited Technical Official through their training program.There is no charge (it’s FREE) in learning to become a Technical Official. Any person of High School age or older can become a Swimming Official. We normally think of parents as officials, but High School students can also become involved in running a Club night.

Club Competition – Club Night

A member’s first introduction to competition may be club night races at your swim club. Your club may conduct time trial races each week of various stroke and distance with the aim being to improve on members’ personal best times.

Clubs often finish the season with club championship races where competitors are split into age groups to race head to head for points.

What you can do:

• Help with Timekeeping
• Help with Announcing
• Help at the Recording Table
• Help Marshalling

Learn more about these jobs:

• Timekeeper
• Announcer
• Meet Manager Operator
• Dolphin Operator v4 v5
• Marshalling

Development and Qualifying Meets

Development meets are the entry level for developing swimmers without official times and for new competitors. These meets may have “Break Times” listed on their programs, which are times that the competitor cannot be faster than. This effectively eliminates the fast and seasoned competitors. These events are a great starting point for all new club members and recreational competitors.

Qualifying Meets may have “Qualifying Times” listed on their programs which are times that the competitor must be faster than to enter. These events are for athletes wishing for a little bit more of a challenge and potentially to push forward into higher level of competition. Times can be achieved at various events. Ask your club if their times are official or not. These events are standard and all members can compete provided they meet the qualifying times if applicable.to encompass everyone.

Area Championships

Each Area association may host an Area Championship event in both short course (25m/winter) and long course (50m/summer) format. This is the premier event for each Area each season.

Beyond Area championships, Swimming NSW and Swimming Australia offer higher levels of competition such as Country Regionals, NSW Country Championships, NSW State Championships and Australian Age/Club Championships.

For information on all these types of competitions visit the Swimming NSW or Swimming Australia websites. 

Social Events

It is important for Clubs to hold social events to build a team atmosphere and assist with team bonding as well as relaxing with Club friends. There are no limits as to what a Club could organise as a social event eg BBQ on the beach, movie night, ten pin bowling, pizza night, trivia competition.

Social events can even be set up through Swim Central so participants are able to RSVP and purchase products like tickets and merchandise.

Recording Room at SOPAC

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