Love being poolside? Want to get more involved in swimming? Becoming a Technical Official is your chance to be right in the action, play a crucial role in the sport, and have a whole lot of fun along the way. No experience? No worries! We’ll show you the ropes.
So, what’s a Technical Official?
In every race, swimmers follow a set of rules to keep competition fair across all four strokes - freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. That’s where TOs come in! They ensure every swimmer competes on a level playing field while keeping the meet running smoothly. Unlike some sports, swimming needs a big team of officials to run a meet properly. Some roles only require a small amount of training, so if you want to be closer to the action, support your club, and make a difference, there’s a spot for you! Plus, our experienced officials will welcome you in and help you get started.
Why you'll love being a TO
Yes, becoming a Technical Official means you learn more about the rules and regulations of swimming, but it's also about becoming part of something bigger. Here’s why people love it:
- You’re in the action - The best view in the house? You’ve got it.
- It’s fun & social - Make lifelong friendships and be part of a great team.
- Flexible commitment - Help out at local meets or work your way up to state & national events.
- Give back to the sport - Help create fair, well-run meets for every swimmer.
- Travel opportunities - Officiating can take you from club nights to major championships!
How to get started
Keen to get involved? It’s easy! Before you start training, you’ll need to:
- If you haven't already, join an affiliated swimming club via Swim Central.
- Get a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and upload it to Swim Central.
- Complete the Community Officiating Essential Skills (COES) course online via the Australian Sport Commission.
- Upload your COES certificate to Swim Central.
Once that’s done, you’re ready to begin your Technical Official journey!
Choose your own adventure
There’s a variety of TO roles, so you can pick one that pathway that suits you best:
🚦 Check Starter - Helps swimmers get to the right lane and heat.
🔄 Inspector of Turns - Watches starts, turns, and finishes to ensure they follow the rules.
🏊♂️ Judge of Stroke - Walks poolside, ensuring swimmers use the correct technique.
📊 Meet Manager Operator - Works behind the scenes managing results.
🎤 Control Room Supervisor – Oversees all results, ensuring accuracy.
📢 Starter - Gives the "Take Your Marks" command and starts the race.
Where you take your officiating journey is completely up to you!
Join the team!
Swimming can’t run without volunteers, and we’d love to have you on board. Whether you’re a parent looking to support your swimmer, a club member wanting to contribute, or someone who just loves the sport - you’ll be making a real impact.
