How to become a volunteer

Louth Swimming Club is run entirely by volunteers who are usually parents of past and current swimmers. There are many different ways to help us, from being a coach and helping out at training sessions to supporting galas by being an official or even helping to post results/hand out water and snacks. We will always send out a plea before a gala for helpers, but it helps us if we already have a bank of volunteers who are ASA registered and where necessary DBS checked that we can call on. 

Officials

Officials We are always in need of swimmer's parents, and older swimmers, to train as new officials.  Without our army of officials our galas cannot be licensed and run properly meaning that swimmers times cannot be updated in rankings. Licensed galas such as our own Club Champ meets have a prescribed number of officials which need to be in attendance to meet the licensing conditions. It is only by attending these types of licensed galas that your swimmer(s) can achieve qualifying times for higher level meets, and for County, Regional and National level competitions. There is a constant demand for new officials because many leave the sport as their children move off to university and out of the club. 

How Do I Sign Up to be an Official?

If you want to have a chat about what being an official entails please speak to our Workforce Co-ordinator.   You also need to be a registered member of Louth Swimming Club which you can do by contacting the club Membership Secretary at [email protected].

What next?

Throughout the year we run ‘classroom’ sessions for new trainees.  This takes 2 hours of your time and we try, wherever possible to run these on a Sunday when most squads are training.  You will be given a workbook with all the information in you need.  You then are required to volunteer at galas as timekeeper or turn judge.  The more you volunteer the quicker you’ll get qualified.

The Role of Officials

There are 2 basic levels:

  • Judge Level 1: A Judge Level 1 is trained to carry out the following duties: Timekeeper, Chief Timekeeper, Inspector of Turns Chief Inspector of Turns, Relay Take-off 
  • Judge Judge Level 2: A Judge Level 2 is trained to carry out the following duties: Judge of Stroke, Finish Judge and Chief Finish Judge. Training as a Starter can be incorporated as an additional skill to achieve the Judge Level 2(S) qualification. J2(S) is a pre-requisite to undertaking Referee training.

Benefits of Becoming an Official

  • Increase your technical knowledge of competitive swimming - which ultimately will help your swimmer 
  • Support the swimmers and club  
  • Most clubs/events will provide free parking or parking expenses 
  • Most clubs/events will provide free entry and lunches 
  • As many sweets as you can eat poolside! 

More information on the qualifications and training required can be found at www.britishswimming.org.uk We are a friendly club and are always on the look out for new volunteers to join the team. If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer please speak to any of the ladies on our swim desk or email [email protected]