SUE SEILER - DISTRICT OFFICIALS CHAIRMAN - 716 - 741 - 8908

Niagara District Officials' Clinic Directors
Sue Seiler Officials' Chair (Buffalo) 716-741-8908
John Kane Binghamton 607-798-7354
John Dannenhoffer Syracuse 315-682-0593
Pete Warren Elmira 607-737-6121
John Rieth Rochester 585-671-2078
Mike Pucser Buffalo 716-836-4673
June Mundt Buffalo 716-835-8544
Tim West Southtowns-Buffalo 716-627-5708
Maureen Russell Ithaca/Southern Tier 607-257-4085

Guidelines on Minimum Number of Officials

USAS Complete Guide for Officials

MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION:
Meet directors must verify that all participating officials are current members of United States Swimming regardless of certification.
All officials are required to wear their USAS membership card at all times while on deck. this should be USAS membership, not national or national championship certification, and should be readily visible.
Coaches must display their USAS membership card while on deck.
Meet referee must check membership and certification of all working officials.
Any official not displaying current USAS membership shall not be allowed to officiate.
Referee must also determine that all coaches display current USAS membership.
A complete list of all working officials should be prepared by the meet director and forwarded to the local officials' chairperson immediately after the meet.

APPRENTICESHIP:
All new officials are required to complete an on deck apprenticeship for a minimum of four sessions, during these sessions the new official must work with an experienced official (one year), and cannot make disqualifications.
It is preferred that the new official work no more than two sessions per meet during the apprenticeship, the length of the apprenticeship is at the discretion of the local officials chairperson, and can be waived for experienced officials with the approval of the district officials chairperson.

CERTIFYING AT A HIGHER LEVEL  A good rule of thumb is to have at least one year of extensive experience as a S&T judge before taking the clinic and test for the Starter position.  This extensive experience should incorporate the varied levels of competition for the majority of each meet.  After a very active year as a Starter, starting at a variety of levels of competition for the majority of each meet, a Starter could consider taking the clinic and test for the Referee's position. 

CERTIFICATION RETENTION:
All officials must work at least four sessions to maintain their certification, however;
Starters must work at least four sessions as starter or higher, and referee must work at least six sessions, with at least one as referee, clinic and testing is required for renewal.

ATTIRE:
Officials shall wear white tops and navy blue bottoms. Denim cotton sweats, and seriously faded blue bottoms are unacceptable. Footwear should be clean and white.
A neat, clean, professional appearance must be given at all times. Advertising should be restricted to the swimsuit limitations in article 102.9.3a.

CURFEW MEETS:
In meets for swimmers 12 and under with lower than A times, the USAS rule is very clear. The meet must be completed in four hours or less. It the responsibility of the referee to endeavor to complete the meet within this time period, and discontinue the meet after four hours has passed. It is our responsibility to enforce the rules of United States Swimming.

PROTESTS:
Coaches can have a brief discussion with the referee over a disqualification, but they may not disrupt the normal conduct of the meet or approach other officials.

CREDENTIALS:
United States Swimming requires that all participants are members of their LSC and USAS. It is a requirement that coaches and officials display their USAS membership while on deck at swim meets. The responsibility for checking credentials is foremost that of the meet director, then the referee. It is also a requirement that those without proper credentials be excluded from participation and not allowed on deck.

The Road To Officiating:
We are always looking for new recruits to officiating. The steps are easy. Locate your local Clinic Director or myself indicating your interest in becoming an official. He/she will put you on their e-mailing list so you will be notified of up-coming clinics. Prior to attending a clinic you may log onto www.usaswimming.org, go to the volunteers, then officials, finally to Rules and Regulations. While waiting to attend a clinic you may take this time to become familiar with the rules. You may even take your Stroke & Turn and Timers test online prior to attending your clinic. A clinic must be attended and you must have a USA Swimming insurance card. Upon completion of the above steps you will receive an Apprentice Officials Card (the Blue Card) and begin officiating as an apprentice.

After The Clinic:
USA Swimming Membership
Make sure that your club sends in your application for USA Swimming membership. You cannot be on deck without it!!
Official's Test
1. The official's test is an open book on-line test. The following tests must be completed for each level:
a. Stroke & Turn
New Official - stroke & turn and timer tests
Recertifying - stroke & turn and timer recertifying tests.
b. Starter
New Starter - starter, stroke & turn, timer, clerk of course and timing judge tests
Recertifying - starter, stroke & turn and timer recertifying tests.
c. Referee
New Referee - admin, referee, referee, starter, stroke & turn & timer tests.
Recertifying - re-cert, admin, referee and referee recertifying test
2. Make sure that you select the appropriate answer and list the correct number of technical reference numbers.
3. Make sure you mark that you belong to the Niagara District "LSC" (NI) so that a copy of the results go to the District's Officials' Chairperson.

The minimum score expected is 80% on both the letter answer and the references. If this is met, you will receive a blue Certified Swimming Official's card for use while you are completing your apprenticeship. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, mail the blue card to me and a permanent white card will be issued (along with a District Official's patch for new officials). Your name will be added to the District Officials' list. The test and apprenticeship must be completed within one year from the clinic date.