Welcome to the Officials’ corner!

As most of you already know, a big part of the swim season involves swim meets.  Short course season (25 meter pool) runs from September to February and long course season (50 meter pool) runs from April until July/August (especially for the older swimmers).   This is where our swimmers strut their stuff.

Swim meets are also a significant source of fundraising for our club.  We run three meets in the year:  The Spooky Meet in October, the Mike Brown Invitational in January and the N.E.W. meet in the spring.  We will also likely be the cosponsor of a long course (50 meter pool) meet at the end of March in conjunction with the Ravens of Carleton Swimming in Ottawa.  Swim meets require a lot of organization and need the support and help from every family.  The biggest area of need is that of the officials.

Swim Ontario as well as the Perth Stingrays recognize that having an active body of parent/officials is essential to the progress and success of the club.  We can’t run swim meets without you!  The Officials’ section of Swim Ontario has gone online with registering officials.  If you do not have an account online with them already, please take the time to do so.  It is a relatively straight forward process.  Log on to www.osoa.ca  This is where you will be able to record your deck evaluations as well as review other officiating levels. You will also be able to register for online clinics through the OSOA learning centre.

It is expected that every family will have at least one member (parent usually) who will step forward as an official.  This means everything from Level 1 (Timer, Marshall) to Level 2 (Stroke and Turn,  Starter, Chief Timer, Chief Finish, Clerk of Course, Meet Manager etc) to Level 3 (referee) and up.  There is a role for everyone.  As your swimmer progresses along in competitive swimming, it’s expected that progress in level of official will also happen.  Swim Ontario requires every club to have ongoing training of officials and that, when needed, we will provide officials to help at the larger regional and provincial meets.

We do this for the kids.  They work hard in the pool and deserve well run meets, by qualified officials.  The Perth Stingrays truly appreciates the involvement of its officials and volunteers, in whatever capacity you are able to give.

If you have any questions or are wanting to volunteer, please do not hesitate to ask me!

Siobhan Muldowney

Club Officials Chair

613.267.3116 (home)