The Isle of Wight Sprint Swimming Championships at the Medina Pool in Newport saw 18 people pass their assessment to become ASA Club Timekeepers.
The 18 new timekeepers consist of swimmer’s parents, Club members and two 14-year-old swimmers.
Bob Cooper, ASA Referee and course organiser said:
“The Island has always had problems in getting qualified Officials to enable competitions to be held in the Island Pools that are ‘licensed’ by the ASA. This meant that the competitive swimmers had to go off the Island to get their times recognised for higher levels of competitions.
“Since I moved to the Island in 2013 – and finding that I am the only ASA Referee here – I have been able to organise and run the required courses. Along with the efforts of other qualified officials, we now are able to have sufficient qualified officials so that we can hold these ‘licensed’ gala’s anbd the results now count for these future levels of competition”.
The 18 new timekeepers come from the IOW Marlins Masters SC, Seaclose SC and West Wight SC.
Bob continued:
“The ASA now allow 14-year-old’s to take this assessment. This is an important step as it enable’s younger swimmers who are not going to make the top level to get involved in a career as an Official. All sports need Officials, whether is be Football Referee’s, Cricket Umpire’s etc, so allowing them to start at this age is a progressive step.”
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