Join us as a swimming official
On 23 January, the SL Bureau and twenty-three of the twenty-seven swimming officials met to discuss the organisation of their group and the tasks they carry out as volunteers. During this meeting, the President stated: “it is essential that SL guarantees a sufficient number of officials at every competition in which SL participates, in order to ensure that it runs smoothly.” Following these very constructive exchanges, it was agreed that Mr Barry BLACK, who has been an SL official since 2012, will take on the coordination of SL officials going forward.
The role of official is an attractive one within our club. It allows you to be very close to the competition as well as to our athletes. By ensuring that the rules of swimming are respected, the judge has a notable impact on the development of each athlete. On this subject, SL Director Natalie Kirchhoff notes: “I always remember my first disqualification, at the age of 7. The official explained my mistake to me, and I certainly never made that same mistake again!”
SL is currently looking for officials, particularly among the parents of our youngest competitors. We therefore invite the families of all our athletes to consider volunteering for this fantastic experience that awaits them at the poolside.
No prior qualifications are required to become an official. The new candidate must complete a free training course offered by the FLNS, which allows them to enter a one-year internship. During this training, all theoretical and practical elements are provided in several languages.
On this subject, an active official notes: “During my ten years as an official, I have not regretted for a single moment having taken on this role. It has allowed me to be alongside my children at the pool during their most important moments and to follow their progress closely. I would encourage all parents to consider becoming an official, for the chance to experience these wonderful moments.”
If you are interested in joining our team of officials, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Barry BLACK (barry.black@swimming.lu).