To secure a place on any of the officials courses listed below, email the Dorset Officials Training Co-ordinator Jill Beard at beardfamilyuk@yahoo.co.uk.

Qualification: The only requirement is to be a registered member of a swimming club which provides an ASA membership number and insurance cover. Anyone over 15 years of age can join the course.

Course fee: £8 (cheque payable to the ASA) to cover theory and practical work.

Course details: The course requires attendance at an Introductory Workshop in January 2012 and six pool sessions (approximately 12 hours with a mentor on poolside), plus two further theory sessions which take place in lunch breaks during competitions. Practical sessions should include at least one whole day of the County Championships on 18/19 February and 25/26 February (including a second theory session during a lunch break), and then a choice of at least another day from local open meets on14/15 April and 27 May (including final theory session in lunch break), Southern Junior League fixtures (for relay practicals where needed) or the Dorset Development Meet on 7/8 July (including final theory session in lunch breaks). Most of the events are held at the Littledown Centre, Bournemouth.

Introductory Workshop: Two options are available for the first compulsory Introductory Workshop as follows:-

Saturday 21 January 2012 at Bournemouth University (room tbc) - 10.30-13.00, or

Sunday 22 January 2012 at Bournemouth University (room tbc) - 13.30-16.00

Qualification: For those who are already a J1.

Course fee: £8 (cheque payable to the ASA) to cover theory and practical work.

Course details: The course requires attendance at an Introductory Workshop in January 2012 and six pool sessions (approximately 12 hours with a mentor on poolside), a mid course theory session held at lunchtime during events and a final discussion/assessment. Practical sessions should include at least one whole day of the County Championships on 18/19 February and 25/26 February plus a choice of at least another day from Masters County Championships on 11 February 2012, local open meets on14/15 April and 27 May and the Dorset Development Meet on 7/8 July.

Introductory Workshop: Two options are available for the first compulsory Introductory Workshop as follows:-

Saturday 21 January 2012 at Bournemouth University (room tbc) - 13.30-16.00, or

Sunday 22 January 2012 at Bournemouth University (room tbc) - 10.30-13.00

Qualification: For those who are already a J2.

A course will be arranged during the Spring of 2012. There is a maximum of eight places for this course so please indicate your interest as soon as possible.

Once you have qualified as a Judge One you are encouraged to become a Licenced Official. Licenced Officials can volunteer at club open meets, League, County, Regional and National events.

Essential and optional CPD Programmes 2011-2012

There is a new Contemporary Issues module which is one of the compulsory sessions all officials must attend in each four year licence cycle. The first Dorset delivery will be held early in 2012. Details will be sent directly to all Dorset Licenced Officials.

There is an optional CPD module on mentoring new officials. This will be delivered in two parts during the breaks in the County Championships on Saturday 18 February at the Littledown Centre. All those who are licenced officials are invited to attend. This will count toward your relicencing points and those who complete the module will have their attendance recorded with the ASA.

Invitation to officiate at 2012 Dorset events will be sent to all Licenced Officials in December 2011.