As a competitive swim club our main objective is to provide swimmers with the opportunity to reach the highest level of their ability in the sport. However, if children are not given the opportunity of taking the first step of learning to swim then they cannot achieve that aim.

To provide the children with the opportunity of learning to swim we need qualified swimming teachers and to allow them to develop beyond this stage we need qualified coaches.

Many clubs and individuals have the misconception that if someone was a good swimmer they will make a good swimming teacher/coach.

WRONG - I have seen several examples of this misconception leading to poor and ill advised training programmes which have damaged both their clubs capability and the swimming careers of their inadequately coached swimmers.

If someone has been a good competitive swimmer, have good aptitude and they follow a recognised teacher’s/coach’s qualification then this is probably the best combination. However, dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who might be modest swimmers, but who also undertake an education programme can become excellent teachers and coaches.

The tasks I have undertaken, as education and development officer, is to organise official courses in order to develop a group of teachers and coaches within FINS C.S.C.

Within the club itself there are several activities where you could help out. Those who wish to serve on the main club committee can do so by allowing their name to be put forward at the Annual General Meeting, but there are also other groups where help is needed such as:

Social Committee
Equipment
Sponsorship
Press and Publicity
Administration
Technical Officials
Pool helpers
Teachers
Coaches

There are also representatives required to attend other committees. The main ones are Fife and East District.

Most of the jobs above do not require any special qualifications, except for the last four, and I have covered the Pool Helpers, Teachers and Coach qualifications above.

The other area where training is required, and where help is certainly needed, is technical officials. This is an area which has been neglected for several years and one which is now being addressed.

Once we have eight volunteers we can organise a Club Timekeepers course. This is an area we must develop to ensure that our swimmers have the necessary support at local leagues and beyond.

The technical officials go through several stages of training, namely:

Club Timekeepers
Judge
Starter
Recorder
Referee

Once you have reached referee level it is entirely up to you how far you would like to become involved. Some technical officials in the East District are on the FINA list, that is the World governing body for swimming, and some have had the opportunity to officiate at the Commonwealth Games and other major swimming events.

In addition to the above there are also courses for individuals who would like to become recorders and also electronic timing officials.

As you will see from the above there are a variety of tasks you could undertake to help the club. It is usually very enjoyable and satisfying and if you would like further information or would like to volunteer to help with any of the jobs please contact:

Ken White