The Federal Club Swim Team

Summer league swimming requires commitment from both swimmers and parents. Meet officials are required at both home and away meets. In recognition of this, Federal Club families will be required to work six shifts during the six-meet season at one of the following jobs.  For families with multiple swimmers, please add one additional shift per swimmer.  

Timers – Excellent first job for new families and a job that allows workers to see the meet from the very best spot. This job requires pressing a button to record a swimmer’s finishing time. No cell phones are permitted while timing. There are three Timers in each lane and both teams are represented in each lane. The official time is determined by the Table Workers by dropping the highest and lowest times and using only the middle time.

Computer Worker – This individual will be required to oversee the accurate entry of meet information, and record the results as they come in, print final reports, export all files as required, and make appropriate backups. This position involves entering all swimmer’s information into the Team Manager computer program and occasionally producing reports for GRAL, the coaches and TFC. This individual coordinates with the coach on entries and produces the cards the swimmers receive upon check in. They input the times from the table workers into the computer and creates the meet results for the runner to post. The computer worker transmits the results to GRAL for posting on the website. GRAL training is required for this position and shadowing experienced officials is recommended.

Head Timer – The Head Timer will assign one timer per lane to record Times on the swimmer’s event/lane Sheet. He/she will ensure that the timers have proper event/lane sheet sheets before an event is started. There shall be three adult timers per lane, and each club should be represented on each lane. All timers (including the Head Timer) should start their watches whether or not they are timing a swimmer. The Head Timer should occasionally review the results of the three times in a lane to make sure the timers are staying close together on the recorded times. This person coordinates the timers and runs back-up stop watches for emergencies. There is a brief power point regarding this position on the http://gralva.com/officials website.

Table Worker – Work at the administration table. The official time is determined by the Table Workers by dropping the highest and lowest times and using only the middle time. They also match DQ cards with timer sheets. They may also be asked to verify that times were entered correctly by the computer workers. Table workers at some clubs get to work in the AC. Table workers can briefly step away from their position to watch their swimmer swim. Table worker can have small children or infants with them during their volunteer shift.

Head Table Worker – The person coordinates all aspects of the table work. The Table workers receive the Timer event/lane sheets from the runners and process the information through posting of results. Tasks may include receiving and sorting Timer event/lane sheets, computer input reports, labeling ribbons, DQ envelopes, and posting results and scores. There is a brief power point regarding this position on the http://gralva.com/officials website.

Ribbon Worker – This is the individual who puts stickers on the ribbons and files the ribbons by team and the child’s name in each team’s swimmer’s box.

Runners – Two people per half collect timer sheets and deliver them to the table workers, collect DQ cards and deliver them to the Referee to sign and then take them to the table workers, they collect final results and post them for everyone to view.

Heat Winner/Hospitality – This individual gives the winner of the 8 and under heats a piece of candy for their victory. Between these 8 & under events they deliver chilled bottled waters to the meet officials who cannot leave their post.

Meet Manager – Is in charge of the meet from set up, registration, volunteer coordination and breakdown. They make sure all the many parts of the meet come together, that volunteers are work their shifts, and the facility is buttoned up at the end of the home meet.

Clerk of Course – The individuals for the Clerk of Course work together to get the swimmers seeded in heats and lanes. This is the official who lines the swimmers up in the correct heat and lane. GRAL training and a test must be passed for this position. New clerks must shadow a trained official for three half meets before becoming an official.

Clerk Helper – These people help the head clerk wrangle swimmers and keep them in order as they approach the blocks.

Strokes and Turns Official – The Strokes & Turns Judge evaluates each swimmer to ensure that the designated strokes and turns for the event are being performed in accordance with rules. Four or more qualified adults shall serve as Strokes & Turns Judges at all regular season meets. A Strokes & Turns Judge must raise his/her arm when an infraction is seen. Strokes & Turns Judges must sign or initial each disqualification card, specifying the infraction. Strokes & Turns Judges are required to sign in at the Referee meeting prior to the meet start. They These individuals are the on-deck enforces of swimming rules. They determine that the competitive strokes are executed properly and when not, they can disqualify swimmers. Training and fairness are pre-requisites. GRAL training and a test must be passed for this position. New S&T officials must shadow a trained official for three half meets before becoming an official.

Starter – The Starter is in control of the meet from the Referee’s signal until a successful start is completed. The official who starts each race through a light and sound system. GRAL training and a test must be passed for this position. New starters must shadow a trained official for three half meets before becoming an official. It is preferred that the Starter is also S&T certified.

Referee – The final arbiter of any dispute at a meet, including full authority and responsibility for the conduct of the competition. A thorough knowledge if strokes and turns and other jobs is necessary. Referee must be a S&T official a minimum of 6 meets before taking the Referee training. GRAL training and four tests must be passed for this position. New referees must shadow a trained official for three half meets before becoming an official. The League recommends that the Referee be fully cognizant of the job responsibilities and rules governing the performance of the Clerk of Course, Starter, Strokes & Turns Judges, Table workers, and computer functions. The Referee shall be aware of any concerns that arise during the conduct of the meet in any of these areas and be prepared to intervene to resolve those concerns.