Parents can help the Club by volunteering for jobs at galas and competitions, training to become ASA officials or by standing for election to the Committee. Please talk to any of the Club’s officers if you are interested in helping with any of the following.
Helping at Galas and Competitions
The main jobs are Recorders and Senders. Recorders (there are always two) create the records of times and positions for each swimmer or team in every event from information supplied by the Chief Timekeeper and Referee. For this you need a clear head and some mathematical ability. Senders (ideally one male and one female for the boys’ and girls’ teams) ensure that the right swimmers are present in the right order, behind the starting blocks, well before the start of their event. Swimmer recognition is useful for this role.
There are many other ways in which you can help the Club and we do need people to organise social events for swimmers and their parents. You may also like to help on the coach when travelling for away galas when people with a good sense of balance are needed for collected money and selling crisps and sweets on the return journey.
You may also like to train as a Lifeguard if you are 16 or older. The Club will pay for training and you would then join a rota for lifeguarding at Club training sessions. You would also be qualified to work as a paid lifeguard at public sessions at the pool.
ASA Qualifications
As British sport nationally focuses on achieving success in the 2012 Olympics the Amateur Swimming Association is working hard to recruit the next generation of volunteers to support all disciplines during the run-up to the London Games and beyond. There is now a wealth of opportunities available to young, and not so young, volunteers and you can give as much or as little of your time as you choose.
Typical volunteering opportunities exist in coaching, officiating at competitions and as team managers, while there are also other ways to use you skills. Below are some of the ASA training opportunities, which allow you to gain recognised qualifications as a volunteer.
Coaching and Teaching
The ASA qualifications, Teaching Aquatics, Coaching Swimming, Coaching Diving, Coaching Synchronised Swimming, and Coaching Water Polo, are all aligned to the nationally recognised UKCC framework. You can undertake a Level 1 qualification from the age of 16 and a Level 2 qualification from the age of 18. Bradford organises courses for Coaching Swimming and pays for members to attend the courses; members are expected to use their new skills for the benefit of the club in teaching and coaching swimming.
Club Timekeeper
A new qualification called the ASA Club Timekeeper provides an ideal introduction to becoming a timekeeper for young people and provide support at local galas. There is no minimum age for this but the recommended starting age is 14. It involves a short theory session followed by a practical assessment.
Judge Level 1
This first level of qualification encompasses the role and duties of Timekeeper, Chief Timekeeper, Inspector of Turns and Chief Inspector of Turns. Minimum age is 15 and candidates are required to complete a course workbook, and undertake a practical assessment during which questions on theory will be asked.
Judge Level 2
The second level of qualification will encompass the role and duties of all aspects of judging and the theoretical role and duties of Starter. Candidates have to hold the Judge Level 1 qualification and will undertake some instruction and complete a course workbook. This is followed by a practical assessment during which questions on theory will be asked.
Starter
Candidates need to hold the Judge Level 2 qualification; training will consist of a prescribed number of practical experiences as a Starter before undertaking a formal practical assessment. The qualification Judge Level 2S is awarded to successful candidates.
Referee
Candidates need to hold Judge Level 2S qualification and may register to begin training when aged 17 but must be 18 years old at 30th November in the year of the course. The course contains theoretical instruction and specified practical experiences and is followed by a formal examination in November, after which successful candidates undertake a final poolside practical assessment.
Team Managers
This ASA course aims to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake an Assistant Team Manager or Team Manager role at local competitions. The minimum recommended age is 16.
Election to Committee
If you would like to stand for the Committee do feel free to discuss the work involved with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or Secretary. Nomination forms for officers and committee members are available before the A.G.M. and need to be signed by the proposer and seconder, and by the nominee to indicate their willingness to stand. Nominations need to be submitted to the Secretary fourteen days before the date of the A.G.M.
© XYZweb.co.uk & boaswimming.org.uk 2008-9
