Technical Courses
Technical is the term used to describe all matters relating to the Rules of Masters Swimming Australia (MSA), which are binding on all Branches, clubs and members and govern all sanctioned meets (competitions) conducted by MSA, its Branches and clubs.
Technical officials are those hard working ladies and gentlemen who ensure swim meets and competitions are run fairly and according to the Rules. (For a ballad of officiating CLICK HERE) There are a number of technical officials' positions and MSA owns the technical courses for these positions. All MSA technical courses are approved by the MSA National Office and conducted in accordance with the approved curricula.
Course Presenters: The theory section of each course is presented by an official with current experience in the position and adult education experience. To strive for national consistency in their delivery, there are Presenter Notes for each course, which are available from the Branch and National Offices.
Officials who have a current accreditation with another swimming organisation should refer to Cross Accreditation and Re-accreditation.This document should also be referred to by MSA officials who must renew their accreditation every 4 years from 1 January 2010.
If you are not accredited as an official with MSA or SAL and wish to become one please refer to the document Pathways to Becoming an Official.
Referee: There are two major roles for referees. The Meet Referee has overriding control of the Meet (competition). The Event Referee has control of the event in progress.
Documents for the Referee course are:
Competencies Card for Event Referee
Competencies Card for Meet Referee
General Rules
Swimming Rules
Meet Report (blank form)
Protest Procedures
Protest Form
Swimmers needing assistance
All the following courses must be completed before enrolling in a Referee Course
Part B of General Principles of Officiating; Modules 3 and 4
3. Managing a Competition Environment
Judge of Stroke: Ensure that the rules relating to the swimming strokes are observed.
Judge of Stroke Candidate Notes
Judge Of Stroke Competencies Card
Certificate of Medical Disability
Starter: Gives the signal to start swimming. He/she has full control of the swimmers from the time the Referee turns the swimmers over to him until the race has commenced;
Documents for this course are:
Inspector of Turns: Ensure that, when starting, turning, doing relay changeovers and finishing, swimmers comply with the relevant rules.
Documents for this course are:
Inspector Of Turns Candidate Notes
Inspector of Turns Competencies Card
Infraction Reporting & DQ Procedures
DVD: Officiating Swimming for IOT's (available from your Branch Office)
Marshal: Assembles swimmers prior to each event, checks their names and allocates swimmers to heats and lanes if the event is not already seeded into heats.
Documents for this course are:
Documents for this course are:
Marshal Candidate Notes
Marshal Log Sheets
Marshal Competencies Card
Check Starter/Clerk of Course: Ensures that swimmers proceed to their starting point when needed and sit or stand behind the correct lane and in the right heat.
Documents for this course are:
Check Starter/Clerk of Course Candidate Notes
Check Starter/Clerk of Course Log Sheets
Check Starter/Clerk of Course Competencies Card
Chief Timekeeper: Ensures there are timekeepers for each lane. He/She signals the Event Referee before the start of a heat when all timekeepers are ready to time the next heat.
Chief Timekeeper Candidate Notes
Chief Timekeeper Log Sheets
Chief Timekeeper Competencies Card
Chief Timekeeper Duties Guide
All of the above officials are required to have completed
Part A of General Principles of Officiating; Modules 1 and 2
2.Roles and Responsibilities for Masters Swimming Officials
and to have signed a
Code of Ethics for Officials form.
Timekeeper: Operate the timing devices that take the time of the swimmer in the lane assigned to them.
Documents for the course are:
There are no prerequisites for the position of Timekeeper.
There are also a number of positions that do not currently require accreditation. They are:
Meet Director: Supervises the organisation of a competition and all matters of its conduct that are not under the direct control of the Referee.
IoT Runner: Collects Infraction Reports from the Chief Inspectors of Turns and Judges of Strokes and takes them to the Event Referee.
Runner: Collects all times from the Timekeepers and takes them to the Recorder.
Recorder: Records all times recorded at the meet and usually keeps a record of points scored by both individuals and teams. Notifies the Meet Referee of any records that are broken or set.
Control Room Supervisor: supervises the automatic timing operation, checks the results from computer printouts, checks the relay exchange printout and reports any early takeoffs to the Event Referee.
Announcer: Keeps spectators and swimmers advised regarding the event in progress. Advises competitors when they are required to report to the Marshal. Ensures he/she is not disrupting the start of races.
Masters Swimming Courses
Please contact your Branch to find out when/where the next Technical course will be conducted or to arrange a course at your club.
Australia has an underlying philosophy of being involved and helping out when needed. All competitors should become accredited timekeepers and assist when needed. Meets can not be run without volunteers, so get involved!
Please contact your Branch to raise or discuss any Technical issue. They will answer your questions or refer them to the National Technical Committee (NTC) which is appointed to undertake activities specific to the Technical area.
Sign up for Masters Swimming eNews
Follow Us
Home | Masters Swimming Australia Sponsors | About Us | Programs | Information | Events | Coaching | Rules | Results | Technical | Latest News | Links |
© 2011 Masters Swimming Australia Site by IMG STG