Today sees the launch of the new online theory modules for the training of the pool Judge 1 technical officials

To assist Clubs with the new procedures there will be a meeting at Medway Park on Tuesday 4 February for all Club Officials Coordinators (or a representative) from each Club.

All current J1 Trainees are reminded that they only have until 31 July 2020 to complete their poolside mentoring and be assessed.

Today sees the launch of the new online theory modules for the training of the pool Judge 1 technical officials. This brings to a close a considerable amount of work in partnership with British Swimming to ensure we are delivering a quality product to our volunteers.

Whilst the content of the training remains largely unchanged, the move to an online format will allow trainees to undertake the training at their own pace and to fit with all the other lifestyle commitments which we know our volunteers have.

Following a period of development and testing, supported by the Institute of Swimming, the course will form part of the British Swimming portfolio of officials’ training and will be delivered in the same format by all of the Home Countries, ensuring consistency of experience for all candidates.

Face to face delivery of the theory training will be replaced by access to individual support on request, with a dedicated new central email address being set up: swimmingofficials@swimming.org.  Any queries that require local resolution will then be forwarded to the appropriate party.

Poolside training can only commence once all online modules have been completed, with the exception of the Timekeeper assessment which can be undertaken at any time after completion of the Timekeeper and Chief Timekeeper modules. Completion of these first two modules can be evidenced by a screenshot, and after assessment they can fulfil the role of Timekeeper.  They cannot be used at licence level 3 + as a J1T (Judge 1 in Training) until completion of all modules.

Upon completion of all online modules, candidates will be prompted to upload their certificate and a photograph onto swimmingresults.org, which will trigger the central despatch of the redesigned training resources. This will include a log book folder, a J1 Trainee certificate, a Judge 1 training record and a copy of the FINA Rules extracts. Notification will be sent to Regional and/or County Officials’ Coordinators to allow candidates to be provided with local contacts to guide them through their practical poolside training.

Trainees will be required to undertake a minimum of 15 hours mentored poolside experience and in England this must include a minimum of three hours at Levels 1 or 2 AND a minimum of 3 hours at Levels 3 or 4. The remaining hours should be spread over a variety of levels of meet, which can include club training sessions. Guidance has been provided by British Swimming in the logbooks on suggested timescales for completing each competence, with an overall time limit of 11 months for completion being introduced.

Only a Technical Swimming Official qualified to at least Judge 1 level can carry out mentoring and only a licensed Referee can sign off the candidate as being competent or evidence them not being competent.

Judge 1 candidates will also need to complete the Contemporary Issues CPD online course.

Upon completion of all Judge 1 training, they will need to notify the County Officials Manager who will then verify that all elements have been completed, and pass this to the Regional Coordinator. There will no longer be a final poolside assessment as trainees will have already been judged to be competent in all areas.

Following verification individuals will automatically be issued with a J1 certificate, additional inserts for their logbook and their first licence, which will be valid for 4 years.

After qualifying as a Judge 1, individuals will be required carry out a minimum of 20 hours in the role before progression onto Judge 2.

Summary

1. Minimum age to commence training is still 15 years old.
2. Upfront fee of £20 (training and licence fee combined) – various payment processes are available, subject to local agreement.
3. Online theory modules must be completed in full prior to commencement of any poolside work (with the exception of the Timekeeper assessment which can be carried out after completion of the Timekeeper and Chief Timekeeper modules).
4. Trainees must be a Swim England/Swim Wales/Scottish Swimming member before commencing the J1 Course and register with the IOS.
5. Final Poolside Assessment has been removed.
6. Local processes will need to be in place to ensure support of trainees and timely verification of completion of training.
7. All trainees will become licensed officials at the end of the process.
8. Eleven months to complete the training from date of completion of online modules.

The course can be accessed at https://www.swimming.org/ios/course/3143 and trainees will need to have an Institute of Swimming account to be able to register.