BECOME AN OFFICIAL

Officials are vital in facilitating the efficient and safe conduct of lifesaving competitions. From local carnivals to international Championships, pool lifesaving requires the assistance of volunteers and Officials with a wide range of skills, experience and abilities and most importantly - team work. There is bound to be a role for you!

Royal Life Saving offers three levels of Officials Accreditation, equipping volunteers with the knowledge and skills to assist and conduct events from amateur to elite competitions. Learn more about the Officials pathway below and how to become an Official.

Pathway to becoming a Pool Lifesaving Official

Step 1. Foundation Official

Step 2. Technical Official

Step 3. Senior Official

Foundation Officials

Accreditation as a Foundation Official enables individuals to officiate at modified or grass roots pool lifesaving events and competitions, or in non-technical roles. A Foundation Official has a fundamental understanding of pool lifesaving sport, rules and event guidelines associated with their (and an athlete’s) participation in pool lifesaving.

The Foundation Official course is delivered fully online through the Sport Hub, including 4 modules with no assessment tasks, but a knowledge check at the end of the course.

Prerequisites. To become an official, candidates must be 16 years old, hold a current CPR certificate, and be a member of a Royal Life Saving state or territory organisation. Contact your Royal Life Saving State or Territory Office for membership information and options.

Step 1. Subscribe to the Sport Hub and set up your profile. If you are already registered on the Sport Hub, go to Step 2

Step 2. Complete the ASC General Principles and Royal Life Saving Foundation Official Courses.

Step 3.  Submit and application for accreditation as a Foundation Official online. Candidates will receive an accreditation certificate.

Technical Officials (COMING SOON)

You must be an accredited Foundation Official to become a Technical Official.

At this stage an official will develop and apply strong technical knowledge and leadership skills to supervise pool lifesaving competitions at a local, state and national level.

The Technical Official course is blended including an online component and on-deck assessment.

Prerequisites: Royal Life Saving Foundation Official; ASADA Level 1 Anti-doping course; Play By The Rules Child Protection and Harrassment and Discrimination courses.

Step 1. Complete the Royal Life Saving Technical Officials online modules through the Sport Hub.

Step 2. Attend a Technical Officials workshop and complete the on-deck assessment at a sanctioned pool lifesaving competition (assessed by a Senior Official).

Step 3. Submit and application for accreditation as a Technical Official online

Senior Officials (COMING SOON)

You must be an accredited Technical Official to become a Senior Official.

At this stage an official will perform management roles at state, national and international events and act as a leader and mentor for Foundation and Technical Officials.

Prerequisites: Royal Life Saving Technical Official; ASADA Level 2 Anti-doping and Ethical Decision Making courses.

Candidates for Royal Life Saving Senior Official accreditation include officials that are involved in competition management and Chief Referee roles at national to international level competitions.