NZ technical officials on the world stage

New Zealand swimmers aren’t the only ones who have been in action at international meets recently with eighteen technical officials travelling around the world to officiate from Russia to Samoa.

The meets included the FINA World Championships, FINA World Junior Championships, Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Manawatu official Dianne Farmer attended three of the four meets and described her experience at all of them as amazing.

“It is always a highlight to meet and work with officials from around the world, with superb competition from world class swimmers right up there as well,” Dianne said. “The opportunity to officiate world class swimmers who just might produce a world record is something you don’t get to do every day.”

“To talk with officials from around the world, some of whom have limited English, is a challenge in itself, but is always interesting. To learn how other countries train officials, equip, officiate and run meets is always fascinating – and also makes you think we do it pretty well here!”

A highlight from the FINA World Championships was being right there to see Lauren Boyle win one of her silver medals.

“In Kazan I was very lucky to be on the lane of several New Zealand swimmers, including Lauren’s 800m freestyle silver medal swim. I was in Istanbul in 2012 at the world short course championships when Lauren won gold and I think that this race was very much on par and overall for me the best highlight of the meet."

Asked if she would recommend the experience there was no questions about it.

“I absolutely love international officiating. There are new people to get to know, new surroundings, new ways of doing things and it is an experience I would recommend to anyone. Anyone who has the opportunity for an international experience should grab it with both hands and run.”

Want to know more about being a technical official? Visit the Swimming New Zealand website.