Lowering the entry barrier into officiating

 Like many sports, Swimming - no, like most sports there continues to be a decline in the availability of officials for competition. 2020 and 2021 were tough years, losing so many sporting events a good number of existing officials simply stepped away from the activity for one reason or another. Three years later, I've seen a small increase in swimming - across both state, WIAA swimming & diving officials as well as Wisconsin Swimming (LSC) for clubs across the state. 

This increase is no where near what we need. I enjoy working 12-15 high school girl and 10-12 high school boy meets along with 8-10 club meets a year. But there is a constant ask for coverage - someone is sick, working, or another personal reason causes them to have to backout. Unfortunately it's really hard to get another official to help.

Enough on that challenge of availability - one of the reasons I hear about from parents and other officials is the effort it takes to get trained, certified and recertified. In the past it was a 2-3 hour meeting in some location that you had to drive to. Covid changed this - those meetings became virtual meaning now you just sit down at your home or local coffee shop and jump on zoom and listen. 

Both of these were awkward to most folks. They didn't know the people hosting the training. They lacked experience and felt uncomfortable talking, let alone turning on their camera. These meetings usually dragged on with someone talking endlessly. Topics were not always spot on the training material and sometimes didn't provide enough content to make the person feel more confident. Worse is training from one state to another would be taught differently so you may learn things differently or not learn at all in some situations. 

This made the entry for new officials very challenging to overcome. I personally saw the difference between Florida and Wisconsin. It wasn't night and day - but there were very obvious differences that I had to accept and at times tactfully try to influence change in. More on this later. 

Enter 2024 and the new online training videos from USA Swimming. It's a welcome change from those in person and virtual meetings. You do have to create a free account but after that you can access the online videos, for Foundations of Swimming, Concussion Protocol, Athlete Protection and the meet of the trainings, Stroke & Turn, Starter, Referee, Administrative Official. These videos now provide a clear, consistent standard for all officials across the entirety of USA Swimming. I applaud USA Swimming for this monumental shift it is something that other organizations have done for years and will now set the state LSC on a common path to not force different trainings or requirements on individuals. 

USA Swimming Officials Training Dashboard

My hope is that parents, guardians and young adults will jump in and watch the videos for two reasons. The first, to understand the role of the officials and to better understand how rules are enforced and how to help talk with their children when they are disqualified from an event. Second, I'm hoping it gives these folks the desire to step up and complete their deck apprenticeships and complete the open book test. This could drastically increase the number of officials available. Reducing the burden on myself and other long term officials from having to officiate most weekends and many evenings during high schools easons.

I also hope that it changes the mindset of the LSC leadership. These boards are designed to take the rules, policies and direction of the USA Swimming board and apply them at the state level. But lessening the possibility of setting their own variations of the rules and interpretations of the same rules. It'll also give our swimmers a more fair "playing field" when the officials at any level and any location are trained to the same standards.

To get deeper into the discussion of declining officials numbers and the differences I have personally seen between two different state LSCs follow me on my podcast, feel free to comment here or on X or on my podcast. 

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/betweenthelanelines

See you on pool deck. 

A little Wood Badge

I wrote earlier this years out my latest experiences with Scouting. Well I took the plunge and signed up for Wood Badge. It is touted as the best training available if you want to be a superior Scouter. Well it is much more than that. I have been blessed over my career to have taken several training and leadership courses. Several we're really thought provoking, educational and overall well led. Wood Badge is much more. Here in Central Florida the leadership is built strong from the top down. So much so that two courses are offered each year! And they always have a large group of attendees. In S4-83-13-2 it was no different. From the scoutmaster to the SPL Michael, and all of the ASM staff, quartermasters and group guides it was really well done. If you work in a corporate environment or are a Scout leader looking for more then WB might be for you. 6 days of training, camping, team work, and self reflection. Oh and you still need to work, have a family and find time for anything else. But as a Scouter you learn to adapt. Now it's all about putting the skills to work, evoking excitement with the team and attaining your goals. I don't want to say WB is not for everyone. Just the opposite, it is here when you are ready to take the next big step. And when you do decide to take the plunge please make sure you have fun. Yes it's important training but it is also about building friendship, teamwork and enjoying life. I was a Bobwhite S4-83-13-2 I am going to work my ticket if I can...

New challenges, new adventures, Do Your Best!

My third year as a scout leader is now getting underway. Seems like just yesterday Matt was putting on his tiger uniform and I was stepping up to be his den leader. This past year was much more challenging, starting a new pack, becoming committee chair and then district round table chairman. And to top Italy off, Cub Scout leader of the year. What a whirlwind adventure. It's true scouting is a full time job. Always getting asked to help, or should I say voluntold. Then balancing unit needs, district needs, family and of course work. You can't take it for granted, scouting is so much more than that. I am there for the boys; mine, my friends and those that may not the support of their family. My next challenge has already begun, Wood Badge. It's the embodiment of Scouting. The ultimate leadership training that helps to make you a well rounded person. Over the next three weeks I'll be writing my 10 ticket ideas. Then I get to spend two weekends with my peers working toward five SMART goals. With their support I will work these five items for the next 18 months. All to become a better leader, supporter, father and person.