In order for an official to be qualified to work a position at a competition they must first complete the clinic. They would then gain experience and be mentored for that position. There is no substitution for on-deck experience. The classroom can only touch some of the situations they will encounter as an official.
2023-24 Season
On-deck evaluations for positions other than referee can be obtained at any sanctioned event during the 2023-24 season provided the Competition Coordinator deems it suitable.
- The Session Referee (including Level 3 Referee) may conduct on-deck evaluations for all positions whit the exception of the Referee posiiton.
- Level 5 officials may provide on-deck sign-offs for the referee position
Who can provide on-deck evaluations?
- The Session Referee (including Level 3 Referee) may grant on-deck evaluations for all positions except the Referee position..
- Level 4 & 5 Competition Coordinators or Mentor Officials may grant on-deck evaluations and are encouraged to provide feedback to the Session Referee.
Requirements for requesting an on-deck evaluation
- Officials that are new to the position must work at least 1 session for experience, preferably 2 sessions
- An Official may request an on-deck evaluation after working 1 or 2 sessions gaining confidence in the position
- For each position, on-deck evaluations must be at two different racing events (and preferably two seperate weekend).
- The Session Referee, Club Official Chair (COC) and/or Competition Coordinator must be informed BEFORE the start of the competition of any requests for on-deck evaluation.
- Not all on-deck evaluations requests can be granted.
How will on-deck evaluations be tracked?
- Clubs are strongly encouraged to use the Online On-Deck Evaluation Form or On-Deck Evaluation Form to manage on-deck evaluations.
- A successful deck evaluation is granted where candidates have shown competency and confidence in the position.
- The Session Referee may consult with other mentor officials.
- The Club Official Administrator will be provided with a copy of the completed On-Deck Evaluation Form and record on-deck evaluations for each official in the Swimming Canada database.
Guidelines
Below are guidelines where additional mentoring sessions may be required to learn all the skills necessary for the position.
- The positions of Inspector of Turn and Judge of Stroke require practice in 3 possible positions on the deck (Turn Judge at start end, Turn Judge at turn end and Judge of Stroke).
- It is recommended to begin mentoring as a turn judge before mentoring as a stroke judge.
- Judge of Stroke deck evaluations
- For any officials that completed their Level II certification on or before August 31, 2023, the evaluation for Judge of Stroke is not required.
- For any officials that have not completed their Level II requirements before September 1, 2023, the evaluation for Judge of Stroke will be required to fulfill the requirements for Level II.
- For Level II and above officials that are moving up in level (III to V) after September 1, 2023, the evaluation for Judge of Stroke is required knowing that these officials already have experience as Judges of Stroke. Use one of the last sessions as a JS to be a deck evaluation. If they do not, and they are leveling up – get them into a JS position for a deck evaluation.
- It is important to gain experience as a Chief Finish Judge before you begin tackling the Chief Judge Electronics position. One of the on-deck evaluations must be as a Chief Finish Judge.
- Learning the “clock operations” is also an asset to the Chief Judge Electronics position.
- The Meet Manager position should be mentored starting with smaller meets such as In-house competitions and one day development swim meets. A multi-session competition should be with a mentor when first assigned as meet manager.
- The Meet Manager position requires mentoring before requesting an on-deck evaluation.
- The on-deck evaluation for the Meet Manager position is different from other positions in that the candidate is evaluated for activities before, during and after the competition.
- It is not simply working a session in the meet office with the club meet manager.
- Candidates must be named in the meet package and be part of a meet management committee that may include a Club Senior Meet Manager.
- They should participate in the development of the meet package and meet database (event file) and participate in the lead-up activities and preparation including entries processing and communications with coaches.
- Although they may not work all sessions we do encourage a candidate to be assigned as meet manager for the majority of sessions.
- They should be taking a leadership role for the sessions assigned as meet manager during the competition and be prepared to participate in post meet activities such as results upload and debriefings with meet management committee.
- Competitions with 3 or less sessions can accommodate 1 meet manager on-deck evaluation.
- Host clubs are to contact officials@swimontario.com to request exemption for more than 1 candidate.
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