The Vernon Hills Turtles Swim Team enthusiastically invites you to become part of the vibrant community of Illinois Swimming Officials! We encourage you to explore the rewarding opportunity of taking on the role of an official.

The Benefits of Becoming an Official 

As an official, you will enjoy a multitude of benefits that enrich your experience:  

1. Make a Meaningful Contribution: Play an essential role in nurturing the sport your child loves and actively support the team's growth.

2. Spectacular Views: Enjoy the unmatched perspectives from the pool deck, offering an unobstructed view of all the exciting action.

3. Deepen Your Understanding: Gain valuable insights into the intricacies of competitive swimming, enhancing your appreciation of the sport.

4. Exclusive Access: Enjoy complimentary admission and heat sheets for the meets you officiate, allowing you to fully engage in the event.

5. Hospitality Delights: Indulge in delicious, complimentary food and drinks in the hospitality room while officiating, making your experience even more enjoyable.

6. Build Lifelong Friendships: Forge strong connections with fellow officials and swim parents from various teams, creating a supportive and friendly network.

7. Stay Engaged: Keep your mind and body active during the meets, enjoying the thrill of the competition firsthand.

8. Fulfill Volunteer Obligations: Meet your volunteer requirements for the Vernon Hills Swim Team while immersing yourself in the swim community.

INTRODUCING ONLINE TRAINING

USA Swimming is excited to offer fully online, self-paced courses for Stroke & Turn, Junior Stroke & Turn, Administrative Official, Starter, and Deck Referee. Follow these easy steps to become an Official or to add a certification.

PLEASE READ THESE FAQ's FIRST!

- How do I get started? – You’ve already taken the first step! Please read all the information on this page thoroughly. Once you’ve done that, click the link for position-specific training (choose from Stroke and Turn, Admin Official, Chief Judge, Open Water, Starter, Referee, or Junior Stroke and Turn).

- I have read everything and still have questions. Who can help me – You can reach out to officialclinic@ilswim.org for any additional questions. Please avoid contacting the office directly, as they will just forward your inquiry to officialclinic@ilswim.org, which can delay your response.

- I’m not a USA Swimming member yet. How do I sign up? – Contact the person responsible for registration at your club to obtain a registration link. When you access that link, select "Add a new member," and be sure to choose the role of “Official.”

- What should I select as my role when registering for USA Swimming? – You should register as an Official. If you’re already registered as a Parent or a Member, request a registration link from your club’s registration coordinator. When accessing that link, choose "Add a role to an existing member" and add the role of Official.

- What is “Foundations of Officiating,” and do I need to take it? – Foundations of Officiating serves as an introduction to becoming a swim official. All new officials aiming to become a Stroke and Turn Official or Administrative Official must complete this course first. Anyone seeking to add a certification who has not taken this course must do so before beginning on-deck training. If you’re unsure whether you’ve taken it, note that the course was introduced on or after April 1, 2024, so chances are you haven’t. If you have, it will be noted in your USA Swimming University account. Don't forget—you must also complete the survey to finish the clinic.

- I completed a clinic and received a score, but it still doesn’t show as complete. What should I do? – This situation is quite common. Many people see their score and think they’ve finished, but that’s not the case. You must also complete the survey to finalize your participation in the clinic. Doing so usually resolves this issue.

- It’s Friday afternoon, and I’ve completed everything. Why can’t I train on deck tomorrow? – The clinic team is made up of volunteers who typically review submissions weekly, generally on Wednesdays. Additionally, many of us are on deck during weekends. If we can confirm that the process has started, we will contact you regarding any missing components. As this process is new for everyone, there may be some errors. We need to verify that all requirements are met. Then, we will manually enter your new apprentice certifications into OTS, update the Meet Referee Contact Form, and send you an email with your next steps. Until you receive that email, you CANNOT train on deck.

USA SWIMMING RUN CLINICS FOR JUNIOR STROKE & TURN OFFICIALS (16 - 17 YEAR OLDS ONLY)  

Please visit the Junior Stroke & Turn Officials page for details. The registration process is slightly different for young officials.

USA SWIMMING RUN CLINICS FOR NEW OFFICIALS - STROKE AND TURN OR ADMIN OFFICIAL 

BECOME A NON-ATHLETE OFFICIAL MEMBER OF USA SWIMMING:

1. Request the USA Swimming registration link directly from your club—**ONLY** use that link to create your non-athlete profile. If you sign up directly through the USA Swimming site, you risk creating duplicate accounts, which may require additional effort to merge. Ensure you register as an Official, NOT as a Member or Parent.

2. Complete the necessary additional certifications BEFORE you begin your on-deck training:

  - Pass a Background Check.

  - Finish Athlete Protection Training (APT) through the USAS Education tab.

   - Log in to your USAS membership account and navigate to the Education tab.

   - APT is mandatory for all Officials, Coaches, and athletes who are 18 and older.

  - Obtain a concussion training certificate from either the National Federation of High Schools or the Center for Disease Control, and email it to the Illinois Swimming Office to update your USAS Officials membership card.

This process makes you eligible to be on deck with the athletes, commonly referred to as your non-athlete Officials registration.

3. The clinics available are located on the USA Swimming site at USA Swimming University. They are self-directed, so there's no need for advance registration. Set aside about 3 hours to complete the clinics at your convenience. Log in to your USA Swimming account, click “Education,” then go to “Course Catalog.” In USA Swimming University, choose “Officials.”

All new officials must take "Foundations of Officiating" before their position-specific course. This brief course lasts about 30 minutes. Please complete the survey at the end to receive credit.

Have a question about web-based training? Contact officialclinic@ilswim.org.