Officials Support Program for Provincial Competitions This initiative recognizes the significant contributions officials make to the success of swimming competitions in Alberta by providing support towards their expenses. Officials Support will be limited to officials placed by Swim Alberta through the Placement of Officials process at Swim Alberta Provincial Competitions, including the roles of Meet Referee, Referees, Starters and CJE for designated Swim Alberta Provincial Competitions. Placement of Officials for Swim Alberta and Summer Swimming Designated Competitions Officials Support for Provincial Competitions Submission Form OfficiaLs Travel Grant Funding is available for Senior Officials who work a minimum of four sessions at a Swimming Canada Designated Competition more than 100 km from their residence. Program Information The maximum grant amount is $500 per event with a maximum of $1,000 per official per Swim Alberta fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Additional requests beyond the $1,000 may be divided among all officials making application to a maximum of $500 per event in June of each year. Swim Alberta will provide up to $6,000 annually supporting officials travel. Eligibility The official must have completed their second evaluation and be eligible to work at the Swim Alberta Provincial Championships as a referee. The official must demonstrate support by consistently working at provincial level competitions. The official must indicate their willingness to progress beyond the provincial level competitions. Must be an Alberta or Northwest Territories resident, with affiliation status as an official of Swim Alberta and Swimming Canada. Travel subsidy may be applied for every year. (Priority will be given to developing officials now at the senior level). Applicants who receive funding may not submit the same expenses from the same meet to the National Officials Travel Program. Officials must minimally work 4 sessions at the competition. Officials working at a World Para Swimming designated competition as an official in training may be eligible. Officials Travel Grant Submission Referee Mentorship Support The Referee Mentorship Program aims to support the development and retention of officials while encouraging sharing of knowledge to create consistent officiating practices in Alberta. By providing structured mentorship and feedback, Swim Alberta aims to build confident Referees and Officials, increasing their readiness for higher-level officiating roles. Program Information Swim Alberta will reimburse the expenses of designated Mentors who incur costs while supporting their Mentee at competitions. Eligibility Applicants must be a registered Swim Alberta official in good standing. Mentees must have completed the Referee Clinic, and be working toward Level IV or V certification. Mentors must be designated by Swim Alberta and the Provincial Officials Committee. Applicants may not receive funding through more than one Swim Alberta funding program. Referee Mentorship Support Submission Officials Outreach Program To help clubs in rural communities’ recruit, train, and engage volunteers to become officials. This program would focus on increasing the number of qualified officials at all levels, while fostering a passion for the sport and promoting safety and fairness at swim competitions. Objective The goal of this outreach program is to engage individuals in becoming certified swimming officials at all levels who can support the local, regional, and potentially national swimming competitions. The program aims to: Increase Volunteer Participation – by offering in-person training at their local pool Improve Quality of Officiating – by providing support and the right knowledge of understanding the roles and responsibilities Foster Community Engagement – by educating on what the benefits are of becoming an official Target Audience: New participants to the sport of swimming New or smaller rural clubs Parents of young swimmers Process – Phase 1: in-person training and practical application Three to four officials selected by Swim Alberta’s Alberta Officials and Competitions Committee (AOCC) will visit the local club for a weekend training session. Parents will attend an informative presentation on officiating, highlighting the benefits to them, the athletes, and the sport, as well as outlining the officiating pathway. Clinics tailored to the club’s specific needs will be conducted by the visiting officials. A mock meet will be organized, giving new officials the opportunity to practice and experience their roles in a real competition setting. The club will be paired with a mentor official from Swim Alberta, who will serve as an ongoing resource for guidance and support. Swim Alberta will also provide a list of experienced officials with expertise in various roles to offer continued assistance as needed. Process – Phase 2: Follow-up One to two officials will collaborate with the club to attend a locally hosted meet, providing observation and hands-on support to the event’s officiating team. Additional clinics may be organized as needed to further enhance the skills and knowledge of club members and officials. Ensure officials in the rural clubs have access to clinics and the support to help officials work through the officiating pathway where eventually clubs could have one to two referees in their local community. Outcomes and Impact Increased Volunteer Pool: Growing the number of qualified and certified officials available for swim meets. Quality of Officiating: Improving the standard of officiating at events through better-trained, more knowledgeable volunteers. To help the club build a robust and sustainable foundation of trained officials, enabling it to successfully host local competitions and, over time, progress to hosting higher-level events and potentially even championship competitions. By creating a comprehensive outreach program, rural clubs can attract passionate volunteers, offer them valuable training, and provide a positive and rewarding experience that benefits both the volunteers and the swimmers they support. Request for Officials Outreach Program