OFFICIALS REPORT 1998

1997-98 SEASON  SUMMARY

Clinics - There were 11 Stroke & Turn Clinics and 2 Starter Clinics conducted  across the state that were well attended.  The  introduction of  in water training  has been very well received.  

*	32 new  officials
*	168 active USS Registered Officials - 40 Referees, 26 Starters, 75 Stroke & Turn, 		20 Trainees, and 7 Administrative.  Down 6% from 1996-97.

National Certification Workshop  was conducted by Mike Hudson,  in conjunction with the Wilton AA Meet  in February.

USS National Officials' Clinic - in Colorado Springs was attended by Clark Cooper, Ed Easley attended the Officials Chairman Workshop in Lake Placid.  

USS National Championship Certification- We have 3 National Championship Certified Officials now  in CSI, Pam Libertiny, Bill Repass, and Ed Easley.  Ed Easley was selected by USS to work as an official at the 1998 Goodwill Games in Long Island, NY.

Referee/Meet Manager Workshop - Held January 4, 1998 focused on problems that pertain with the number of meets being held and the demands it places on all of us to ensure quality meets for our coaches and athletes.  

Officials Committee - Was established with members providing regional representation across the state. 

1998-99 SEASON OBJECTIVES

Increase Participation/Retention - of our active officials, otherwise with the new national guidelines implemented last  year we will start to see our number of officials drop off at a time when the number of meets and swimmers continue to grow.

LSC Workshop - will be held to introduce material and guidance that pertain to starters only.  The goal of the workshop is to obtain a consistency with our starters meet to meet.

National Certification Workshop - Will be conducted at the SC Age Group Championships and LC Senior Championship Meets.

Consistency - The goal is to have our coaches and athletes see the rules applied consistently at any meet held in our LSC.  Officiating emphasis will be on the professionalism in officiating the meets, our interaction with coaches, parents, and swimmers.