This season when athletes, families, and coaches were returning back to the pool to start another exciting swim season full of new possibilities, another new opportunity was just getting started in USA Swimming. This past September the Junior Officials Membership was launched for 16-17 year olds to begin their own journey in officiating! You may be wondering, why should you or someone you know become a Junior Official, and how can you sign up? 

Benefits of Becoming a Junior Official:

MENTORSHIP: By becoming a Junior Official, you can become a leader and role model to several 12 & Under athletes! This will be an opportunity to sharpen and showcase your ability to be a leader and mentor on your club team and LSC that will benefit you in your future endeavors!

INFORMED: As a Junior Official, you will learn in-depth the technical points of swimming and how a Stroke & Turn official fulfills their role within the sport! These insights could help you improve your technique on your strokes and be able to teach others how to improve their strokes as well!

INTEGRITY: Junior Officials will assist the officials on deck to provide a fair and equitable opportunity to compete. You will ensure that all athletes all have the same opportunities to have fun and accomplish their goals within their swimming careers!

INVOLVEMENT: This new membership is a volunteer opportunity to give back to your club teams and LSCs through helping other athletes find their spark in the sport and create a whole new perspective on swim meets! This is even a great opportunity for 16-17 year olds to gain service hours for their academic and/or extracurricular requirements! 

Plus, do you have non-swimmer siblings who are 16-17 year olds that attend swim meets? They can become involved and join the funnest sport on earth by becoming a Junior Official too – a great way to switch up from a spectator in the stands to an active participant on the pool deck!

ENJOYMENT: 16-17 year olds could enjoy the opportunity of officiating that they will want to continue as an adult official when they turn 18! This membership is a direct pipeline into the adult official role and opens up the door for you to continue your training potentially as a Starter, Administrative Official, Chief Judge, or even Referee in the future!

Quick FAQ on the Junior Official Membership Category:

The Officials Certification Standards require that a Stroke and Turn Junior Official must be a member of USA Swimming. Does registration as an Athlete Member satisfy this requirement or will there be an additional category in which the athlete must register?

A 16-17 year-old Athlete Member who desires to become a Stroke and Turn Junior Official must select that role when registering. When registering as an Athlete Member, a 16-17 year-old will see the following “roles:” Premium Athlete, Seasonal Athlete, Junior Coach, and Junior Official. The athlete will be able to multi-select Premium Athlete and either or both of the Junior Coach or Junior Official roles.

How should an individual aged 16-17 and who is not an Athlete Member of USA Swimming register with USA Swimming if they desire to become a Stroke and Turn Junior Official? How much would this membership cost?

The individual would need to go through the registration process just as if they were registering to be an athlete, but they would only select the Junior Official role. The cost would be the same cost as a full annual USA Swimming membership.

What does the training consist of for becoming a Junior Official? 

• Technical Training as stated in Rule 102.10.2 

   

• Safe Sport for Youth Athletes (13-17) Training **Replaces APT Training until age 18**

   

• No Background Check (Under 18)

   

• Concussion Protocol Training 

   

Where can I register to become a Junior Official?

Check with your club team registrar for enrolling in the membership category for your USA Swimming member card!