News from the Technical Swimming Committee Welcome to the October Edition of the Technical Swimming Committee Newsletter. Swimming NSW Technical Swimming Committee (TSC) At its August meeting, the Board announced the membership of the TSC for 2015/16 - Graeme Field Bill Ford John Hart Chris Hayes Jose Jalvo John Williams Unfortunately, Faye Lewis decided not to renominate. Members of the TSC would like to thank Faye for her contributions to the TSC over many years. FINA interpretation of the Start Rule and Medley Swimming Rule On 7 September 2015 FINA issued an intrepretation for both the current Start and Medley rules. The following are extracts from the FINA document - SW 4 THE START SW 4.4 Any swimmer starting before the starting signal has been given, shall be disqualified.. Interpretation: After all swimmers are stationary (SW 4.1), any swimmer who moves before the starting signal may be disqualified when such movement is observed and confirmed by both the starter and referee (SW2.1.6). When video-tape timing system is available, it may be used to verify the disqualification. SW 9 MEDLEY SWIMMING SW 9.1 In Individual Medley events, the swimmer covers the four swimming strokes in the following order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. Each of the strokes must cover one quarter of the distance. Interpretation: According to SW 9.1 each of the strokes must cover one quarter of the distance. Being on the back when leaving the wall for the Freestyle portion of the Individual Medley is covering more than one quarter of the distance in the style of Backstroke and is, therefore, a disqualification. Backstroke swimming is only defined as being on the back. The full FINA Memorandum can be found HERE Thank You Thank you to those who officiated at the recent Multi Class #3, State Age, State Open and D Squad meets. Page 1 5
A Squad Development Meet - 8 th & 9 th August 2015 Twenty four developing Technical Officals representing all SNSW Areas attended the weekend at Knox Grammar and were supported by 10 mentors and presenters. Presenters included FINA Referees Ken Jones, Faye Lewis and Cherry Smith as well as Starters Peter Hall (2000 Olympics) and Neil Rogers. TSC members John Hart and Jose Javo also delivered presentations. The topics covered included the FINA /SAL Pathway and the SNSW Pathway, Presentation and Protocols, Decision Making, Benefit of Doubt, Protests, Stroke rules, Reseeeds and Amalgamations, and Starting. In spite of the large amount of information being put to the group everyone enjoyed the presentations. The stories and experiences of the presenters added to the interest along with the quality of Cherry Smith s presentation material. The two pool sessions gave the TO s the opportunity to implement the newly learned elements and in many instances, to work through SNSW level situations in roles to which they were generally not accustomed, with the close support of the mentor group. Four Level 1 Referees and Level 1 Starters were trialled in these sessions and were given feedback to assist with their progress to level 2 accreditation. The TSC hopes to see many of these Technical Officals progress over the coming year to State Meets. The TSC extends its thanks to the mentors and presenters for supporting the program. Congratulations Congratulations to the following SNSW Officials on their recent appointments/achievements Ken Jones has been appointed to the Olympic Games in Rio; Faye Lewis on her appointment to the World Junior in Singapore; and John Rohloff on his achievement as Australian Technical Official of the Year. Next SNSW Meets Nominations are now open for the SNSW Summer Season, including - Metropolitan Open Water Country Regional State Age 10/U-12 years Meet Location Dates State Age 13-18 years Closing Date for Nominations SOPAC 5 th - 6 th December 2 nd November 2015 Nepean 19 th - 20 th December 17 th November 2015 Bathurst, Moree and Wagga Wagga SOPAC SOPAC 9 th - 10 th January 2016 3rd December 2015 15 th - 16 th January 2016 18 th - 23 rd January 2016 3 rd December 2015 17 December 2015 Page 2 5
B & C Squad Development Meet - 19 th and 20 th September Another 12 developing Technical Officials along with 12 Officials from the A Squad Meet attended the B & C Squad Development Meet. The Officials were again supported by 10 mentors and presenters. Following brief presentations, the Technical Officials were in a training practical environment over three sessions. Officials received feedback and advice while working in either their pathway roles or in new roles on pool deck. Several Technical Officials were assessed during the course of the Meet. Coast and Valley concurrently conducted an assessment programme for Timekeepers, Marshals and Check Starters. The TSC would like to thank Faye Lewis, Jann Fathers, Neil Rogers, Peter Hall, John Skene, Margaret Spurway and Cherry Smith for their support of this training programme. Commonwealth Youth Games Congratulations to the very capable contingent from NSW who officiated at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa recently - Jann Fathers John Hart Chris Hayes Ken Jones John Owen Neil Rogers Cherry Smith Alan Walsh Karen Walsh Pam Weste Not pictured is Robin Butterfield who represented the UK as a Starter. Page 3 5
Backstroke Ledges In late August, Swimming Australia issued a Memorandum in relation to Backstroke Ledges to help clarify responsibility, use and supply of the Ledges. In summary, the Memo covers three main areas 1. The Ledges must comply with FINA Facility Rule 2.10, which will now be reflected in SAL Facility Rules (available HERE). Essentially this rule outlines the adjustability, size and slope of the Ledge; 2. Guidelines for the supply and use of the Ledge in Australian Competition Ledges can only be used if available for all competitors and if used must be available for all backstroke events; 3. The Supply of Backstroke Ledges SAL will provide Backstroke Ledges for all National Events and Technical Officials will be responsible for their set up and adjustment to the swimmer s preferred setting. The full Memorandum can be found HERE Currently the Board of Swimming New South Wales has not endorsed the use of Backstroke Ledges at SNSW meets. SNSW Training Modules The TSC has set a programme to review training modules over the next 12 months. The Recorder Training Notes and Exercises have been reviewed and the revised notes will be available on the SNSW shortly. Given the substantial length of the document, the TSC is still in the process of reviewing the Training Notes and Exercises for Referee. The Quiz August Quiz Answer To recap on the August Question A swimmer having marshalled misses the call by the Check Starter and remains in marshalling, missing their race. As the Check Starter, you discover the swimmer while the event is still in progress and report with the swimmer to the Referee. There is a vacant lane in the next heat. As Referee, what are your options? Decision: The Referee should quickly question the swimmer to find out why they did not leave the Marshalling Area with their heat Were they unable to hear the Check Starter? Had they left the Marshalling Area without notifying the Marshal due to a swimsuit issue, or a toilet break? Had they left the Marshalling Area to talk with their coach? Page 4 5
If the swimmer had missed a call by the Check Starter, the Referee would be able to consider this an error by an Official, and should then endeavour to find an empty lane in a subsequent heat, or possibly the next event for the swimmer s gender, if swimming the same stroke and distance. If there were no lanes available the Referee should create an extra heat to allow the swimmer to swim. If the swimmer had left the Marshalling Area without notifying the Marshal the Referee should still endeavour to find them a lane as above and be prepared to create an extra heat, as well. However, the Referee should quickly speak with the swimmer and explain that the Marshalling Procedures, printed in the program, state that swimmers, once Marshalled, must not leave the Marshalling Area without permission. It needs to be reinforced with the swimmer that they should have spoken with the Marshal before leaving, and that they are lucky that they are being accommodated. If they had left the Marshalling Area to speak with their coach, the Referee could still endeavour to find them a lane as above. However, at a SNSW Championship meet the Referee should not create an extra heat for this swimmer. In summary, as the Referee, you should do your very best to get the swimmer in the water for their swim, knowing full well that you have the power to preclude the swimmer from competing in the latter two cases. October Quiz You have been appointed to the position of Chief Recorder on Day 2 of the State 13-18 years Long Course. When checking the results for the heats of the Girls 14 years 200 metre Breaststroke you note that the swimmer in Lane 5 of Heat 3 and the swimmer in Lane 0 of Heat 4 have recorded the same time for 10 th place. What do you do? If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please email Cherry Smith: cherry.smith@nsw.swimming.org.au Swimming New South Wales Technical Swimming Committee October 2015 Page 5 5