Now you have a bit of knowledge about being a technical official, how do I get started. Follow the information below for a step by step guide.
Steps to becoming a Technical Official
- Step 1 - Apply for a Working With Children Card (Ochre Card)
- Step 2 - Complete the Community Officiating General Principles Course
- Step 3 - Contact the SNT Technical Manager
- Step 4 - Get some Pool Deck Experience
- Step 5 - Attend a Workshop
- NT Swimming Championships in March
- Country Swimming Championships in September
- Step 6 - Become Accredited
All Officials or parents volunteering as officials require a Working With Children Check.
Click Here to obtain a WWCC from the NT Government.
Please upload your WWCC to Swim Central.
Once you have at least applied for your Ochre Card and completed your Officiating General Principles module, please reach out to the SNT Technical Manager who will work with you regarding your goals in officiating, your general availabilities etc., before recommending attending a meet to 'dip your toe' into officiating. Your details will also be added to the SNT Technical Officials list, so you will start receiving all the relevant Technical Officiating information, such as meet invites, upcoming workshops, other officiating opportunities etc.
You can find out when future meets are through our Upcoming Events page.
After completing steps 1-3, it's time to get some practical experience.
After completing the Online Modules, Trainee Technical Officials are invited to attend club and Swimming NT meets to gain practical experience in the relevant positions from the modules they have undertaken. There is nothing to fear here, you will be placed with a mentor that will assist you throughout the meet with helpful advice and positioning, what to look for and how to go about becoming an experienced official.
Again, you can find all of the SNT meets on our Upcoming Events page.
Step 4 and 5 are interchangeable, depending on the availability of workshops. SNT are generally looking to hold workshops in Darwin during:
SNT also aims to conduct an officiating workshop in Alice Springs each year, during the Dessert Qualifier in February.
Once you are on the SNT Technical Official list, you will be emailed out these opportunities.
Becoming accredited involves a process of assessments for the variety of roles that you wish to undertake.
Once accredited you are in to the 'World of Officiating', where you will have the opportunity to meet great people, visit incredible places and be an integral part of the sport of swimming that provides Australia with so much pride, joy and success.
To find out more about the practical assessments, visit our Accreditation page.
