Be Part of the Action — Become a Bluefins Official👩‍⚖️👨‍⚖️⏱️

September 2025

At every Bluefins meet, our swimmers dive in ready to give it their all. But behind the racing, there’s a team making sure every start, turn, and finish really counts. That team is our officials.

Here’s the truth: without officials, there are no licensed swims, no personal bests on rankings, no records. The even better truth? Any parent can step up and do it.

Most of us start thinking “I don’t know the rules,” or “That looks far too technical.” But here’s the Bluefins promise: it’s easier, more rewarding, and more fun than you think.

The Action — How It Works

Becoming an official is simple, supported, and done at your own pace:

• 🕑 Start as a Timekeeper — stopwatch in hand, recording times poolside. It’s the perfect first role and gives you the best seat in the house.

• 📲 Progress to Judge 1 — once you’ve had a taste of timekeeping, take the Judge 1 online course. It’s flexible, at-home learning that covers the basics of officiating: turns, strokes, and the rules that keep meets fair.

• 📘 Log your practice — with mentors guiding you at Bluefins meets, you’ll build confidence step by step.

• ✅ Sign off as J1 — and suddenly you’re part of the team that makes every result official.

From there, if you want, you can step up to Judge 2, Starter, or even Referee — but most parents stay at Judge 1. And that’s already a game-changer for the club.

What You Might Do at a Meet

Role	What You Do	Quiet Insight	How it Feels
Timekeeper	Start/stop stopwatch, write down times.	🎯 Get to play with the red button and stopwatch — simple, fun, and vital.	Low pressure, great starting role.
Inspector of Turns (J1)	Watch turns and relay takeovers are legal.	👀 “Was that a two-handed touch?” Eagle eyes ready at every wall.	Straight forward rules, mentored.
Stroke Judge (J2)	Keep an eye on strokes and relay takeovers.	👟 Log those 10,000 steps and enjoy the best view of every race.	More technical, but guided.
Starter (J2S)	Control the start with “take your marks” and the beep.	📢 You’re in full control — all eyes on you at the start.	Visible, but trained step by step.
Referee	Run the whole meet, make final calls.	🏅 The buck stops here — your word is final.	Optional pathway, not expected.

Overcoming the Unknowns

We know what puts parents off — and here’s the reality:

• “I don’t know enough.” ➝ You’ll learn as you go. Everyone starts fresh.

• “What if I mess up?” ➝ You’ll never be on your own. Mentors support every step.

• “Too technical.” ➝ Roles start simple. A stopwatch and a smile is all you need at first.

• “I don’t have time for that.” ➝ Even one meet a year makes a difference.

👏 “It’s the best seat in the house — you’re right there when your swimmer races.” Timekeeper - Qualified April 2025

🏊 “I thought it would be intimidating, but it’s actually fun and social. You feel part of the swimmers’ journey.” J1 Official - Qualified May 2025

Why It Matters

Being an official means:

• 🎯 Making meets possible — no officials = no results.

• 💙 Supporting every swimmer, not just your own.

• 📈 Learning the sport inside out — you’ll see swimming differently.

• 😊 Joining the Bluefins Family in a whole new way.

Step-by-Step

1. Register your interest with Bluefins.

2. Try your first role at a meet as a timekeeper.

3. Complete Judge 1 eLearning.

4. Shadow roles like Inspector of Turns.

5. Log your practice in your book.

6. Get signed off as Judge Level 1.
   

Ready to Take the Step?

Bluefins always need more officials. Our swimmers can’t race without them. Whether you step in once a season or become a regular, you’ll make a huge difference.

👉 Message Fleur, or speak to Sarah, our Officials Coordinator — you’ll usually find them both on poolside most evenings. We’ll help with training, pair you with a mentor, and cover course costs for volunteers. And as a bonus… our officials don’t go hungry. Expect upgraded refreshments — think M&S sandwiches and snacks — for those all-important breaks between sessions. 🥪🍫

Let’s make every Bluefins meet one to be proud of — together. 🐬

💙 Discover Bluefins

At Bluefins, we’re proud to celebrate every swimmer’s pathway — from the youngest in our Skills Academy to our performance squads chasing big goals. ✨ Come and see what makes our club special: exceptional quality coaching, community spirit, pathways of progression, and performance success stories. 🚀 Contact our amazing Ali to discuss pathways and arrange a trial - Find out more at bbfsc.org - Your journey starts here.