Hello,
 
As you go to meets, you might notice that it seems like we swim in roughly the same meets/pools every year. This is not your imagination! Due to regional and scheduling constraints, teams tend to get into the same meets every year. By extension, you’ll see the same officials at these same meets, because with the exception of a few high-ranking positions, swimming officials are volunteers.
 
Right now, New England swimming is in dire need of new officials. For one reason or another, many of the people we had counted on to do this job have hung up their uniforms. Meets need a minimum amount of officials to run, and New England swimming is reaching a tipping point where this minimum cannot be met. With numbers as low as they are, the few officials that are presently working meets are overworked, which can lead to errors being made.
 
On September 24th, there will be Stroke & Turn and Starter Officiating clinics held at Seekonk High School. We highly encourage anyone who regularly attends meets to attend! Its long, tough work, but officiating meets gives parents a unique perspective and deeper understanding of competition than spectating or timing do (you also get free food, water and coffee at meets!). Parenting a swimmer is a big enough commitment as it is. But, if you take up the mantle as an official, you will be the glue that helps hold our sport together.

Our team has grown by leaps and bounds and we are obligated by NE Swim to have a certain number of officials.  Unfortunately, we continue to fall short and as seniors graduate each year that takes a toll as well if they happen to have a parent officiating……. the senior swimmer leaves and so does the parent!   As a team we will provide you with the white polos that you are required to wear and also put $100 dollars escrow into your swimmers account for short course and then again in long course as long as you officiate at 3 meets during each season.

 
Let me know if you have any interest in becoming certified as an official, and I can provide you with more of the appropriate information.
 


Lynn ONeil
Team Administrator
Kingfish Swimming
774-766-9063