Become an Official

How to become a High School Swim Official:

Each fall the High School officials, which are members of the Maine Swim Officials Association (MSOA), have clinics in the Portland area and the Bangor area. These are held in October usually the first and second weekends after Columbus Day. The best way to start is to attend one of the clinics, where you pay your annual dues and receive instruction for most of the day. Once that is completed, you will need to take and pass an open book test on the rules. Prior to being assigned to a meet as an official, you must attend 3 meets as a probationary official, where you will shadow an official working the meet. Once this is completed, you can be assigned to work meets as a Level 1 official, which generally limits you to a stroke and turn position. You are eligible to advance to a Level 2 official (allows you to be a referee or starter) after completing the clinic and test in your second year. Officials will need to obtain a uniform consisting of a wear a white top with blue bottoms when working at meets.

There are six chapters of MSOA around the State that assign officials to work the meets at the High Schools in their area. For example, the Central Maine Chapter does meets for Edward Little, Lewiston, St. Dom’s, Erskine, Cony and Gardiner.

The chapter in your area would assign meets for you to work.

The information on the clinics will be posted on the website shortly after Labor Day.


Last Updated on September 16, 2022

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