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SNSW Referee Course 2024
Registered candidates may access the course materials here. This is not online training.
SNSW Referee Course 2023
Registered candidates may access the course materials here. This is not online training.
SNSW Referee Course 2022
Registered candidates may access the course materials here. This is not online training.
SNSW Referee Course 2021
Registered candidates may access the course materials here. This is not online training.
SNSW Referee course 2020
![Referee exam finished](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Referee-Exam-Finished.jpg)
The Swimming NSW Technical Committee, with guidance from the Area Technical Swimming Committee Coordinators, will select up to 20 Technical Officials each year to participate in the Swimming NSW Referee Course from January – November, and aim for the candidates to complete their Level 1 Referee Assessment by then.
Please note: The normal Referee Accreditation process will still occur outside of this Course. i.e. it is not a requirement to complete this Course to become a Referee.
Webinars or face to face sessions every 6-8 weeks throughout the year, with some course work to be completed between the sessions. The course will also feature guest presenters and include a curriculum aimed at preparing the candidates to be competent Referees and sourcing a Mentor.
To be eligible for this course, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Swimming NSW Member
- Valid Working with Children Check
- Hold 4 current Technical Official accreditations (plus Community Officiating Essential Skills).
THIS IS NOT AN ONLINE TRAINING MODULE
Lectures in 2020
Meet Manager Operator
![](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MeetManager.jpg)
![](https://nswtraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MeetManager.jpg)
Manage swim meets electronically by becoming a Meet Manager Software Operator.
Meet Manager from Hy-Tek is the ubiquitous software for running swim meets. Mastering its operation is both highly satisfying and crucial for meet setup, entries, operation and results.
Course objective
This online course will teach you Meet Manager software fundamentals so that you can immediately become an effective club level apprentice.
Meet Manager is a large package containing many settings and functions. This course will cover all the key parts for a club level user. Students will gain sufficient skills and confidence so that they can continue to learn through trial.
Course scope
- Club level meets.
- Create a new meet from scratch.
- Accept Individual and Relay entries (both manually and online via Swim Central).
- Preparing programs, marshalling sheets, timelines, etc.
- Running a meet (basic timing system integration, amalgamations, re-seeds, relay management, judging and scoring).
- Meet Mobile operation.
- Producing and distributing results.
- Operational good practice tips.
Excluded
- Team Manager software operation.
- More advanced meets (heats and finals, advances, circular seeding, multi-class events, swim-offs, Open Water events, etc).
- Time standards, qualifying, break and split times.
- Online Live Results capability (but note that Meet Mobile basics are covered).
- Timing system operation. Please refer to our existing Dolphin Operator course.
- Note that this course does not cover absolutely everything required to become an accredited Meet Manager Operator. Once you master the content of this course the few additional details relating to Finals, Records and Reaction times should be straight forward to learn.
Course structure
- Meet setup (as the Meet Convenor) – 6 modules
- Invite entries (as the Meet Convenor) – 2 modules
- Submit entries (as an invited club Race Secretary) – 2 modules
- Receive entries (as the Meet Convenor) – 3 modules
- Final meet preparations (as the Meet Convenor) – 1 module
- Run the meet (as the Meet Manager Operator) – 11 modules
Resources
- 6 lessons split into 25 modules mandatory
- Detailed training notes highly recommended.
- Swimming Australia Meet Manager Operator Learner Guide highly recommended
- Link to Hy-Tek documentation optional.
This course is suitable for individual study.
Award
Candidates who successfully complete the course will be awarded course completion documentation. They should then obtain considerable practical experience under expert supervision. Once they are ready assessment should be arranged with an accredited assessor, taking along their documentation.
Duration
The content can be completed in approximately 3 hours of study time spread over many sessions, depending on prior knowledge and experience. In addition, expect to invest significant time gaining practical experience under supervision.
Prerequisites
- Candidates should have access to a Windows computer running Meet Manager software in order to reinforce learning and gain practical experience. Note that a reduced capability demonstration version for PCs (not Mac) is available free from here.
- Technical Official Recorder accreditation is highly recommended because this covers many of the fundamentals that are automated in Meet Manager software. Operators must be able to validate software output so that they are accountable for the results.
- Excellent familiarity with a swim meet is important.
- Previous pool deck officiating experience in other roles, although not required, would be an advantage.
- Proficiency in timing system operation is not required, although understanding of timing system output is required. Successful completion of the Dolphin course is more than adequate.
Study tips
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- Becoming fully proficient with all aspects of Meet Manager is likely to take some time, depending upon opportunities to practice. We recommend that you write yourself summary notes so that you can quickly re-start if you have not been able to practice for some time.
Other things to know
- Videos in this course are taken from Meet Manager v7.0 and v8.0. Periodically software updates occur which mostly tweak and add settings rather than make fundamental changes.
- Before working at a meet, you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of a Swimming Australia club. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.
- This is a legacy course and may not entirely align with current SA practices.
Credits
Many thanks to Cherry Smith for her enormous contributions to this course.
Number of successful students:
![](https://nswtraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MeetManagerFooter.jpg)
Dolphin Timing Operator
![Dolphin Operators](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dolphin.jpg)
Confidently run the timing system at your next club night by becoming a Dolphin Timing System Operator.
An accurate timing system is at the heart of all swim meets. We owe it to our swimmers to record their times accurately so that they are correctly recognised for their performance. The Dolphin wireless timing system from Colorado Time Systems is a popular choice for club nights and mini meets.
Course objective
This online course will teach you how to use it so that you can run your next club night. No qualification will be obtained from this course. It is purely informative.
It is assumed that you have access to a Dolphin system that is already fully configured for routine operation.
Course scope:
- Hardware and software.
- Preparation before the meet day.
- Meet setup on the day.
- Routine operation and common issues.
- Basic integration with Meet Manager software.
Excluded:
- Detailed operation of Meet Manager software.
- Team Manager software.
- SA online race entry system operation.
- Meet Mobile Operation.
- Timekeeper and Chief Timekeeper official duties. For this please refer to the Timekeeper course on this portal.
- Detailed initial configuration instructions for newly delivered systems.
Contents and Resources:
- 3 lessons mandatory
- Detailed training notes from Jo Wazny recommended. Note these notes include instructions for initial configuration of newly delivered systems.
- Online multiple-choice theory test mandatory (approximately 15 mins)
- Link to Colorado Time System documentation optional.
This course is suitable for both individual and group study.
Award
Successful candidates will be awarded a theory pass letter. Please note that Dolphin Timing System Operator is not an accredited technical official position. A theory pass is therefore for personal satisfaction and a public recognition of competency only.
Duration
The content can be completed in approximately 1.5 hours of study time spread over a couple of sessions, depending on prior knowledge and experience. In addition, expect to invest time gaining practical experience under supervision.
Prerequisites:
- Candidates should have access to a Dolphin system in order to gain practical experience.
- Excellent familiarity with a swim meet from an audience perspective would be a distinct advantage.
- Previous pool deck officiating experience in other roles, although not required, would be an advantage.
- Proficiency in Meet Manager is not required. This would be the natural next step after becoming proficient in Dolphin system operation.
Study tips:
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- The course is divided into 3 lessons, most of which have self-assessment tests at the end. Some of the content is quite detailed so we recommend repeating some parts.
- Course completion letter may be printed on an attached computer or retrieved later for printing or saving.
Other things to know:
- This course uses the popular Dolphin v4.3 interface. The recent v5.0 interface is not featured.
- Before working at a meet, you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of a Swimming Australia club. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.
- This is a legacy course and may not entirely align with current SA practices.
Number of successful students:
Recorder
![](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Recorders.jpg)
Support the accurate seeding of swimmers and recording of results by becoming a Recorder.
The Recorders manage critical duties on behalf of the Referee. It is a complex yet highly satisfying role for people with an attention to detail who enjoy being at the centre of the action.
Course objective
This course teaches all the theory for Chief Recorder and Recorder. It will prepare you to operate as a trainee Recorder under supervision.
Course scope:
- Computerised and fully manual meets.
- Club, Area, State and National level meets.
- Allocation of swimmers to heats and lanes including seeding, withdrawals, re-seeding and amalgamations.
- Determination of results including times, placings and interpretation of AOE/SAT slips.
- Recording of results from heats and finals.
- Preparation of finalists lists for an event including swim-offs.
- Compilation of the full results of a meet including records, point scores, allocation of awards and the recording of disqualifications.
- Multi-class events
Excluded:
- Operation of Meet Manager, Team Manager, AOE or SAT
- International level meets
Contents and Resources:
- 4 lessons mandatory
- Recorders Training notes and practice exercises recommended
- Swimming Australia Training notes recommended
- Online multiple-choice theory test mandatory (approximately 45 mins)
This course is suitable for both individual and group study.
Award
Successful candidates will be awarded theory pass documentation. They should then obtain practical experience under expert supervision. Once they are ready assessment should be arranged with an accredited assessor, taking along their documentation.
Duration
The content can be completed in approximately 3 hours of study time spread over several sessions, depending on prior knowledge and experience. In addition, expect to invest time gaining practical experience in the recording room under supervision.
Prerequisites:
- None.
- Excellent familiarity with a swim meet from an audience perspective would be a distinct advantage.
- Previous pool deck officiating experience in other roles, although not required, would be an advantage.
- Proficiency in Meet Manager, Team Manager, AOE or SAT is not required.
Study tips:
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- The course is divided into 4 lessons, most of which have self-assessment tests at the end. Much of the content is quite detailed so we recommend studying one lesson at the time and taking a break before moving on.
- Assessment documentation may be printed on an attached computer or retrieved later for printing or saving.
Other things to know:
- Before working at a meet, you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of a Swimming Australia club. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.
Number of successful students:
Starter
![](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Starters.jpg)
Enable your club to run meets with official times by studying to become a Starter.
Every race needs a starter. The quality of the start can directly impact the race results. Accredited starters are highly sought after and a fundamental ingredient of every swim meet.
Course objective
This course teaches all the theory for Starter level 1 (Club and Area level). It will prepare you to operate as a trainee Starter under supervision.
Course scope:
- Starter’s responsibilities.
- Preparations including adjusting and testing starting equipment.
- Swimming rules and infractions relating to the start.
- Starting at Club and Area level meets.
- Starting multi-class swimmers.
- Starting handicap events.
Excluded:
- State, National and International level meets
Contents and Resources:
- 1 lesson mandatory
- Starters Training notes and practice exercises recommended
- Swimming Australia Training notes recommended
- Multi Class notes recommended
- Handicap race notes recommended
- Online multiple choice theory test mandatory (approximately 20 mins)
This course is suitable for both individual and group study.
Award
Successful candidates will be awarded theory pass documentation. They should then obtain considerable practical experience under expert supervision. Once they are ready assessment should be arranged with an accredited assessor, taking along their documentation. Starters are required to pass 2 practical assessments before accreditation.
Duration
The content of this course can be completed in approximately 90 mins of study time, depending on prior knowledge and experience. In addition, expect to invest 10+ hours gaining practical experience on the pool deck under supervision at a number of different meets. Candidates will want to refer back to the content of this course periodically whilst they gain experience. Once accredited, periodic recaps are recommended, especially if not regularly officiating.
Study tips:
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- Whilst we recommend that this short course is completed in one sitting, if necessary you can stop and return later.
- Assessment documentation may be printed on an attached computer or retrieved later for printing or saving.
Other things to know:
- Before working at a meet, you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of a Swimming Australia club. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.
Number of successful students:
Judge of Stroke
![](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SwimmingOfficials.jpg)
Extend your Inspector of Turns skills by studying for this advanced qualification.
The role of a Judge of Stroke (JoS) is to ensure fairness for all by checking that every swimmer swims in accordance with the rules. They work in partnership with the Inspectors of Turns and Referee to monitor the entire race.
Why become a Judge of Stroke?
The work of these officials is highly valued by swimmers and coaches. Whilst no athlete enjoys being disqualified, JoS feedback is crucial for development, and ensures that nobody has an unfair advantage. Your work will help give swimmers the benefit of fairness and feedback on more occasions.
To the untrained eye, correctly assessing a stroke can appear to be extremely challenging. In practice the rules are straightforward to understand and apply. Unlike some other roles, candidates will require considerable practical experience and a very thorough assessment before being accredited.
Course objective
You should already be studying for or an accredited Inspector of Turns. This course extends that knowledge beyond starts, turns, finishes and changeovers. It will complete your education to prepare you to operate as a trainee Judge of Stroke under supervision.
Course scope:
Because the majority of the syllabus is covered in the online IoT course, the scope is limited to:
- JoS overview.
- Positioning and Protocol.
- Test all JoS jurisdiction issues.
- Meets up to State level.
Excluded:
- Stroke judging, infraction reporting, etc. are taught in the IoT course but will be examined here.
- National and International meets
Contents and Resources:
- 1 lesson mandatory
- Training notes and practice exercises recommended
- Swimming Australia Training notes recommended
- Online multiple choice theory test mandatory (approximately 45 mins)
This course is suitable for both individual and group study.
Award
Successful candidates will be awarded theory pass documentation. They should then obtain considerable practical experience under expert supervision. Once they are ready assessment should be arranged with an accredited assessor, taking along their documentation.
Duration
The content of this course can be completed in approximately 90 mins of study time, depending on prior knowledge and experience. In addition, expect to invest 10 – 20 hours gaining practical experience on the pool deck under supervision at a number of different meets. Candidates will want to refer back to the content of this course periodically whilst they gain experience. Once accredited, periodic recaps are highly recommended, especially if not regularly officiating.
Study tips:
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- Whilst we recommend that this short course is completed in one sitting, if necessary, you can stop and return later.
- Assessment documentation may be printed on an attached computer or retrieved later for printing or saving.
Other things to know:
- Before working at a meet in NSW you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of a Swimming Australia club. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.
Number of successful students:
Call Room Supervisor and Check Starter
![](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MCSmasthead.jpg)
Make your next meet fun and easy to run with this short online course.
At an airport the checkin and gate staff ensure the smooth and accurate processing of travellers. At a swim meet their equivalents are the Call Room Supervisors and Check Starters. These pivotal positions not only ensure the smooth running of the meet, but they also create a positive environment for swimmers, and enable accurate recording of results.
Ideal for absolute beginners. Complete in just over an hour, online here right now and free.
This course has been supplied by Swimming Metro North East. Thank you to Swimming NSW for hosting on their platform. All users of this site are welcome to use.
Course objective
This course will fully prepare you to operate as a trainee Call Room Supervisor and trainee Check Starter under supervision.
Course scope:
- Call Room Supervisor and Check Starter accreditations*
- Club, Area and State level meets
*Call Room Supervisor and Check Starter are separate roles that work very closely together. Call Room Supervisor is also sometimes known as Marshall or Clerk of Course.
Excluded:
- National and International meets
Contents:
- Video presentation mandatory (23 mins)
- SNSW Training notes optional
- Online multiple choice theory test mandatory (approximately 20 mins)
Award:
Successful candidates will be awarded theory pass documentation. They should then gain practical experience and once ready they should arrange practical assessment and accreditation.
Call Room Supervisor and Check Starter are separate roles and each require their own assessment. Because Check Starter is easier, we recommend that this is assessed first.
Duration:
60 – 90 minutes approximately.
Prerequisites:
- None, although a basic familiarity with a swim meet from an audience perspective would be an advantage.
Study tips:
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- Whilst we recommend that this short course is completed in one sitting, if necessary you can stop and return later.
- Assessment documentation may be printed on an attached computer, or retrieved later for printing or saving.
Other things to know:
- Before working at a meet in NSW you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of Swimming NSW. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.
Number of successful students:
Inspector of Turns
![](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IoTQLD.jpg)
Support our swimmers by studying for this advanced qualification.
An Inspector of Turns (IoT) is a turn judge. Their role is to ensure fairness for all by checking that every swimmer starts, turns and finishes correctly during a race. They work in partnership with the Judge of Stroke and Referee to monitor the entire race.
Why become an Inspector of Turns?
The work of these officials is highly valued by swimmers and coaches. Whilst no athlete enjoys being disqualified, IoT feedback is crucial for development, and ensures that nobody has an unfair advantage. Your work will help give swimmers the benefit of fairness and feedback on more occasions.
To the untrained eye, correctly assessing a start or turn can appear to be extremely challenging. In practice the rules are straight forward to understand and apply. This course contains extensive video lessons to ensure full understanding. Unlike some other roles, candidates will require considerable practical experience and a very thorough assessment before being accredited.
Course objective
This course will fully prepare you to operate as trainee Inspector of Turns under supervision.
Course scope:
- Starts, turns, finishes and relay changeovers.
- Freestyle, Backstroke, Breastroke, Butterfly, Individual Medley and Medley Relay.
- Lap counting.
- Backstroke ledges.
- Infraction Reporting.
- Pooldeck protocols.
- Chief Inspector of Turns.
- Meets up to State level.
To give the full picture, rules for entire strokes will be taught, not just starts, turns, finishes and changeovers. Questions will however be restricted to the IoT syllabus.
Excluded:
- National and International meets
- Judge of Stroke jurisdiction issues
Contents:
- 11 lessons mandatory
- Training notes and practice exercises recommended
- Swimming Australia Training notes recommended
- Online multiple-choice theory test mandatory (approximately 30 mins)
This course is suitable for both individual and group study.
Award
Successful candidates will be awarded theory pass documentation. They should then obtain considerable practical experience under expert supervision. Once they are ready assessment should be arranged with an accredited assessor, taking along their documentation.
Duration
The content of this course can be completed in approximately 6 hours of study time, depending on prior knowledge and experience. In addition, expect to invest 10 – 20 hours gaining practical experience on the pool deck under supervision at a number of different meets. Candidates will want to refer back to the content of this course periodically whilst they gain experience. Once accredited, periodic recaps are highly recommended, especially if not regularly officiating.
Prerequisites:
- None.
- Excellent familiarity with a swim meet from an audience perspective would be a distinct advantage.
- Previous pool deck officiating experience in other roles, although not required, would be an advantage.
Study tips:
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- We recommend that this course is studied one lesson at a time, followed by a break. A mixture of video study, reading the notes, practical experience, and discussions with a mentor, is the best learning environment. You may log off, and return later to continue study from where you left off.
- Certificates may be printed on an attached computer or retrieved later for printing or saving.
Other things to know:
- Before working at a meet, you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of a Swimming Australia club. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.
Number of successful students:
Timekeeper
![](https://totraining.swimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/NSW-timekeepers.jpg)
Become immediately and immensely useful with this short online course.
Timekeeping is arguably the most important role at a meet. We owe it to our swimmers to record their times accurately so they are correctly recognised for their performance.
Ideal for absolute beginners. Complete in less than an hour, online here right now and free.
Course scope:
- Timekeeper and Chief Timekeeper accreditations
- Club, Area and State level meets
- Scratch & Handicap events
- Pool and open water
- Manual stopwatch, AOE/SAT, SAT and Dolphin timing systems
Excluded:
- High speed video timing systems
- National and International meets
Contents:
- Video presentation mandatory (20 mins)
- Training notes optional
- Online multiple-choice theory test mandatory (approximately 20 mins)
Award:
Successful candidates should print their certificate and take it to a meet for practical assessment and accreditation. This may require prior arrangement.
Duration:
Less than an hour.
Prerequisites:
- None, although a basic familiarity with a swim meet from an audience perspective would be an advantage.
Study tips:
- You can access this course via a computer, tablet or smartphone. Headphones are recommended.
- Whilst we recommend that this short course is completed in one sitting, if necessary, you can stop and return later.
- Certificates may be printed on an attached computer or retrieved later for printing or saving.
Other things to know:
- Before working at a meet, you must have Working With Children clearance. It is easy to apply for online here, valid for 5 years, and free for volunteers.
- Officials should be members of a Swimming Australia club. The non-swimmer category is recommended. Apply via your club registrar.