Competition Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Advise and consult with the Meet Manager on the development of a meet package and Swimming Canada rules to be followed at a competition.
• Advise and consult with the Club Official Chair (COC) on the required officials needed and a recruitment strategy for a competition.
• Coordinate officials development opportunities (mentoring, on-deck evaluations, referee assessments and formal evaluations) with the COC and where applicable the Regional Officials Representative (ROR).
• Attend and participate in all sessions of the competition as a quality control officer from one session to another, an advisor to the session referee and meet manager(s) and mentor official.
• Ensure the Swim Ontario Concussion Management Procedures are in place and followed at the competition

A Competition Coordinator (also known as a meet referee) is required for all sanctioned competitions in Ontario. Although the position is not officially in the Swimming Canada rule book and does not have authority over other officials, they bring knowledge to the event management committee and session referee(s), they can help with technical problems related to the competition, and they guide, support, advise and assist as requested.

2024-25 Season

The competition coordinator(s) must be a Level 4 or 5 registered active official. The potential Competition Coordinator must have experience as a Session Referee prior to assuming this role.

• For TIER I: In House Competition and Time Trials Competitions: the Competition Coordinator may be an approved by Swim Ontario Level 3 Referee official.
• A Level 3 Referee with a minimum of 5 sessions as referee on their own and one complete Referee Assessment conducted and signed by a Level 5 can be named as competition Coordinator for a sanction provided the following are in place:
  • TIER I: A Level 3 Referee eligible Competition Coordinator can work on their own
  • TIER II to IV: A Level 3 Referee eligible to be Competition Coordinator must be under the supervision of a Level 4/5 during the competition
  • Approval process: send deck log and a Referee Assessment to officials@swimontario.com

On-Deck evaluations

On-deck evaluations for positions other than referee can be obtained at any sanctioned event during the 2024-25 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

See On-Deck Evaluations Procedures for officials for details on who can submit a request for on-deck evaluations.

Providing sign-offs for deck evaluations is an important aspect of a competition.  It ensures those that have made the effort and wish to further their officiating knowledge are respected and acknowledged for their efforts.

The Session Referee, Mentor Official and Competition Coordinator need to make themselves available after the session to complete this task.

The On-Deck Evaluation Guide outlines the steps to be taken to ensure a successful collection and recording of the on-deck evaluations.

Referee Assessments

The Referee Assessment (RA) form can be used at anytime the developing referee first begins actively refereeing.  Not all sessions assigned as referee need to be a full referee assessment. The mentoring sessions can be done with a Level 4 or 5 official.

When the developing referee is ready to begin full referee assessments the Mentor Level 5 and the Competition Coordinator need to ensure the RA takes place at a sanctioned event that is suitable:

• A session length of 2.5 hours or more.
• A variety of events in all 4 strokes offered. A session that includes mainly distance freestyle events does not provide adequate experience for the developing referee to refine their skills. 
• Mentored by a Level 5

Rowan's Law and Concussion Management Procedure

The Competition Coordinator is required to complete Rowan's Law requirements as part of the sanctioning procedures for competitions in Ontario. All competitions must follow the Safety at Competitions procedures and Concussion Management Procedures

Meet managers shall establish concussion awareness protocols with their host facility staff that includes keeping the Competition Coordinator informed when a participant (swimmer, coach, official, volunteer) seeks first aid treatment from a significant impact to the head, face, neck or body.

The Competition Coordinator shall be informed immediately when a significant impact to the head, face, neck or body is observed or has been reported to the host facility staff or session referee. The Competition Coordinator must ensure the participant is removed from the activity for assessment and has the authority to remove the participant from further participation at that competition if signs of a possible concussion are reported by lifeguards or develop at a later stage.

If signs of a possible concussion are present, the participant must first be cleared by Swim Ontario for a return to activities.

The Competition Coordinator will report to Swim Ontario all incidents involving a significant impact to the head, face, neck or body by completing the Injury or Concussion Reporting within 24 hours of the incident.