Becoming a swimming technical official
Becoming a swimming official, whether you have a swimming background or not, is straight forward. And it’s a great way to get up close and help with the smooth running of swimming competitions and really helps your club.
Speak your Swimming Club’s Volunteers Co-ordinator or a committee member for more information or visit Aquatics GB.
Para Swimming Officials
Officials training in other disciplines
For information about training as an officials for open water, water polo, diving and artistic swimming please refer to Swim England East Region.
County Officials Co-ordinator
Keeping up to date and licensing
Every swimming competition, whether its run by a club, county, region or national organisation relies on having sufficient qualified and experienced officials available to ensure that the event run correctly and that the times achieved by the swimmers are able to be recognised.
Swim England East Region maintain a comprehensive resource of contemporary information for all swimming officials affiliated to clubs in the region.
Swimming technical officials (STOs) are a central part of every swimming event and play an important role in ensuring the events run smoothly, safely and within the sport’s regulations.
Officials do not need to be experienced swimmers or have a competitive background. Everything that you need to know to work as an official is provided in the training programme. Training is standardised across the UK.
There are five levels of technical officials with each one a progression. For the latest information please visit the Aquatics GB (British Swimming) Officials webpage.
Training to be a timekeeper is delivered through an online course by the Institute of Swimming (IoS). The IoS also deliver the theory elements for the four other levels of officials training. Practical training takes place during competition through a process of mentoring and formal exam for referees.
Useful information
Disqualification Report and Codes (updated March 23).
Codes of Exception – Para swimmers (updated June 23)
Code of Conduct for Officials & Volunteers
Register for the British Swimming Officials Newsletter here.