SPY Officials Training Resources

Rules that Govern YMCA Competitive Sports USA-S Mini Rulebook (2009) YMCA Competitive Swimming Link

Officials Clinic
Saturday, Oct 17, 8:30am-noon
Classroom M1- SPY

As I have discussed with the parents of new swimmers, and was promoting heavily through the spring and summer with our current swimmers, one of the biggest needs our club has as we move into the "meet season" is certified officials to help run our meets. As an official, you have an opportunity to learn a tremendous amount about the sport of swimming, get great views of your swimmer at meets (especially meets where parents are limited to balcony or remote seating), and gain skills which you can carry back to the summer clubs and improve the swimming community for everyone.

We are one of the largest swim teams in Maryland in terms of swimmers, and we need a new crop of officials. We have a few veterans, but we have lost a lot of parents to the graduation of their children the past two years, and have many more seniors leaving this year or next year that will cost us some more officials.

I have finally (after several months of trying to coordinate with a very small pool of trainers) been able to secure an officials clinic for SPY - at SPY, and covering both YMCA and USA Swimming certifications for stroke and turn judging (same rules - different paperwork). Now it's time to ask for a time commitment from our parents - I would really like to have at least 20 parents (but can take as many as can come!!) take this training so that we are set for the season and indeed for seasons into the future. This also gives us a base from which we can develop referees and starters as people become experienced in the other positions.

The clinic will be at SPY on OCTOBER 17TH (two weeks from yesterday). It will START AT 8:30 AND FINISH NO LATER THAN NOON. All materials and books will be provided - no need to buy anything, etc. All we need from you is for you to come and go through the training, and then be willing over the next few weeks to complete the online or take home test (I believe both options are available for the YMCA part, but USA part is online only to the best of my knowledge). I knwo that many of you have indicated that you would be willing to do this; I'm countin on it. I tried to get a time that would not be too much "extra" pool time - we practice Saturday mornings for most groups, after all.

Additionally - for those of you who cannot come on the 17th (I do know it's a Federal holiday on Monday, and schools are out one day in there somewhere), you can still get the same training by making a short trip to Easton, MD, on Thursday the 22nd when the same trainers are doing a class at Talbot County YMCA at 6:00 PM. It's not at SPY, but it's only about 45 minutes away and you would still get the same certifications.

PLEASE HELP US OUT - THIS IS CRITICAL TO OUR SUCCESS AS A CLUB, as we are expected to provide our share of officials at meets, and right now we are woefully short of people. It's not difficult, it's extremely valuable, and it's a way to help make the swimming experience better for not only your child, but our entire team!








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