Leicester Penguins Swimming Club

The future's bright - The future's black and white

INFORMATION RELATING TO JUDGE LEVEL 1

England, Scotland and Wales currently have different approaches to the education and training of their swimming officials. The terminology used to describe an official qualified to perform the duties of a timekeeper is not standard in all the home countries. The method of qualification varies. The minimum age at which volunteers can commence training also varies. However, this is all set to change.

England, Scotland and Wales have been working towards common standards in the education and training of all Swimming Officials. This has been made possible now that all three Home Countries use FINA Technical Rules. In future such trained officials will be listed as British Swimming Officials.

Judge Level 1.This is the first level of British qualification. This will encompass the role and duties of a Timekeeper, Chief Timekeeper and Inspector of Turns. The minimum age to commence training will be 15 years old. Candidates will undertake some instruction and will be required to complete a course workbook, following which a number of practical assessment will be undertaken. There is no formal written examination.  However, during the practical assessments, candidates will be required to answer oral questions. When qualified, candidates will be attributed with the qualification Judge level 1 on the British Swimming Database. In addition, such individuals, if they wish, may apply to become a Licensed Official.

For existing ASA timekeepers only, there will be a one-off ‘bolt on’ course, which will consist of one 1 hour workbook session followed by a few poolside sessions.  These workbook sessions will be available for 1 hour prior to each of the Saturday age group galas, followed by the opportunity to go poolside and practice.  There will be at least one of the county tutors available to ask questions on the poolside.

The workbook session will refresh the candidate upon the roles of timekeeper and chief timekeeper. Hopefully this should take no more than 15 minutes.  For the next 45 minutes, the role of the turning judge is then addressed.   The practical element of the turning judge includes assessing the turning laws of all 4 competitive strokes plus relay take-overs.  These will usually take place during normal gala situations.  Obviously there are many qualified timekeepers within Leicestershire and not all will move on to become J1.  However, it will still take a considerable time to assess possibly 100 people who wish to move onto J1

For new candidates, there will be 3 workbook sessions interspersed with sufficient poolside assessments to satisfy the examiner that you are competent.  The first workbook session will cover the roles of timekeeper and chief timekeeper followed by up to 3 poolside sessions under mentor supervision   Workshop 2 will cover the duties of the ‘Inspector of Turns’ (FINA speak) followed by up to 5 poolside sessions. Workshop 3 is primarily revision with a few anomalies thrown in followed by a final poolside assessment.  None of the workbook or poolside practical assessments are arduous. There is no timescale involved but obviously people progress at different speeds and this has to be accepted.  .  Watch your club notice board for details and bring along a friend.

If anyone is interested, whether a qualified timekeeper or not then please email me so that I can put you on the list.  For those wishing to do the bolt-on course, please let me know and which date you are interested in.
To get some practice and experience, why not offer to help at the Club Championship galas.