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Procedure of Certification

Level I - Red Pin

  1. Complete the Level 1 clinic for Timekeeper and Safety Marshal.
  • It is recommended that an official work the deck as a timer for their first year.  This will familiarize them with the workings of the deck during a swim meet.
  • An official may take the level 1 course in the fall and work a number of meets throughout the year.  Some officials may be ready to take the first level 2 course by late spring.

Level II - White Pin

  1. Certify in Level I by obtaining successful deck evaluations in each of Timekeeper and Safety Marshall – two sessions as a timer (minimal)
  2. A recommendation is that the official be directed to take chief timer, clerk of course or stroke and turn as the initial level 2 courses.
  3. Starter and Meet manager should not (normally) be taken until the other level 2 courses have been taken.  These courses require an official to be familiar and comfortable with both the rules of the sport and the operations of a swim meet.
  4. To obtain the Level II pin an official must have completed the clinic for Judge of Stroke/Inspector of Turns and one other Level II clinic listed below.
  5. Certify in those positions by obtaining two successful deck evaluations in each position.

Note:  There are separate clinics for Chief Finish Judge, Chief Judge Electronics and Recorder Scorer.  The clinic for Recorder Scorer must be taught as a Level II clinic, either separately or as part of another clinic at the discretion of each provincial section.  It is recommended that it be combined with Meet Manager or Chief Finish Judge.  Provincial sections may permit certification in the combined CFJ/CJE/RS position in a manner that the provincial section chooses, provided that a candidate works a minimum of two sessions to the satisfaction of the referee, at least one of which must be as a Chief Finish Judge.

  • Judge of Stroke/Inspector of Turns (counts as 1 position) - REQUIRED;
  • Clerk of Course;
  • Chief Timekeeper;
  • Meet Manager;
  • Chief Finish Judge/Chief Judge Electronics/Recorder Scorer (counts as 1 position);
  • Starter.

Level III - Orange Pin

  1. Certify in Level II;
  2. Complete all of the clinics for the positions listed under Level II;
  3. Certify in three additional positions listed under Level II by obtaining two successful deck evaluations in each position;
  4. Conduct a Level I clinic under the direction of a Level IV or V official.

Level IV - Green Pin

  1. Successful completion of the following requirements:
  • Certify in all positions listed under Level  II;
  • Once all clinics have successfully been completed and two evaluations done in each of these positions a candidate may be eligible to take the referee clinic.  It is the responsibility of the candidate/officials chair to contact the Alberta Officials Committee (AOC) representative in your area to determine if the candidate is eligible.
    • Glennis Mossey – Northern Region representative AOC
    • Pat Lata – Southern Region representative AOC
    • Ann Smith – ASSA representative AOC
  • A referee candidate is NOT to take the course unless they have completed all requirements and have a recommendation from south, north or ASSA official’s chair.
  • Successfully complete the Referee clinic. Once a candidate has taken the course the official is to referee a minimum of 6 meets and/or referee for a minimum of one year prior to the first evaluation.
  • A candidate who believes they are ready for an evaluation should be directed to contact their regional official’s chair – north, south or ASSA.
  • NO evaluation should take place unless there is a recommendation to proceed.
  • A second evaluation requires a candidate to have a minimum of three additional referee sessions following the first evaluation and recommendation from their respective official’s chair.
  • The second evaluation shall take place at heats and finals meet and the candidate must referee at both the preliminary and final sessions.
  • Provincial Championship meets are normally reserved for starters and referees who have had two evaluations.  The referee/starter lists should be approved by the AOC chair.
  • A referee second evaluation may take place at a provincial championship meet with approval of the AOC chair.
  • Conduct a minimum of two Level II officials’ clinics within the year of application under the direction of a Level IV or V official.
  • Complete one year of active service as a Level III official.

2.Two successful evaluations in the position of Referee by a Level V official.

Level V - Blue Pin

  1. Complete a minimum of one year of active service as a Level IV official;
  2. Organize, conduct and/or supervise a minimum of two Level II clinics within the year of application;
  3. Two successful evaluations as a Referee, or once as Referee and once as Starter, by a Level V official;
  4. Work a minimum of two sessions at a SNC designated (National) meet at any position;
  5. Provide the information required by the Chairperson of the National Official’s Committee (NOC) for appointment of Master Officials to the provincial Officials' Chairperson.

If the provincial Officials' Chairperson is satisfied that the candidate has met all requirements, the candidate's name and the required information will be presented to the NOC Chairperson for certification of the candidate as a National Official (Blue Pin).

If the NOC Chairperson certifies the candidate as a national official, a congratulatory letter and Master Official certification card will be sent to the candidate.

MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION
In order to remain an active Master Official in Canada an official must:

  • work a minimum of four sessions over a minimum of two meets in each swim year;
  • conduct or supervise a clinic in each swim year.

Master Officials who do not work or instruct as required may apply for reinstatement to their provincial chair of officials, who may require certain senior level clinics be re-done.

Notes:  “Certified” means that the clinic card shall be signed and dated by the Referee after working two sessions in that position during an S/NC sanctioned competition.

These certification procedures represent the minimum national standards; provincial sections may adopt additional requirements.

Officials should NOT be assigned a position unless they have completed the clinic.  An official may be asked to shadow in a position for which they have not received training, however they should never be asked to assume full responsibility for a position unless they have completed the clinic.  Exception:  level 1 position.

In Alberta it is the responsibility of the Club Chair of Officials or the Meet Official’s Chairperson to ensure that Lockie Lister This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    is sent the complete meet roster following completion of your club hosted meet.  Also, when your club hosts an official’s clinic ensure that the participant list is forwarded to Lockie – this will ensure that each official’s qualifications are kept up to date.

 
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