Northland technical official selected for IPC training course

Northland technical official Carlrine Gillespie will next month join officials from six other countries aiming to become qualified IPC International Technical Officials.

A two day training course, run by IPC Swimming, will take place prior to the 8^th Asean Para Games in Singapore, and will be followed by the group officiating and being assessed during the five day meet.

Currently there are only three IPC qualified technical officials in New Zealand and Carlrine was immediately interested in her opportunity to join this small group.

“I know our Northland Swimming New Zealand Technical Advisory Committee member Ross Bragg is IPC qualified and that I had his support and knowledge close at hand,” Carlrine said.

“My husband Ross is also a National Referee and encouraged me to put my name forward when I told him of my interest in this position.”

“I am very grateful for being selected for this opportunity and the support from High Performance Sport New Zealand, Paralympics New Zealand and Swimming New Zealand.”

As a pre-requisite for taking part in Singapore Carlrine had to complete an online course, which she said was invaluable in giving an insight into the training, extra rules and regulations to learn and the specifics to Para-Swimming.

Carlrine started as a timekeeper nearly 14 years ago working her way through the officials’ pathway at a regional level as an Inspector of Turns (IOT), Judge of Stroke (JOS), Starter and Referee.

She has been officiating (starting as an IOT through to a National Referee) at national meets for nearly nine years and is also currently the Swimming Northland Technical Committee Convenor.