A RECENTLY retired swimming official is calling on others to take up behind-the-scenes roles to ensure the future of the sport locally.
Kerang resident, Bruce Laity recently received a Swimming Victoria 20-year service medal, recognition for 25 years of volunteering for the Kerang Amateur Swimming and Life Saving Club.
The 60-year-old father of three began assisting when his oldest daughter, Erica joined the club in 1991.
Laity stayed with the club whilst his younger children, Claire and Jayne took part, spending the past 12 years as a volunteer.
“I’m stepping sideways to allow others to step forward,” he said.
“The last eight years have been an altruistic move to help the community.”
Although holding numerous positions behind the scenes, Laity eventually became a qualified Level One official, overseeing on average 10 meets each swimming season.
“Being an official was not by plan. It was a role I evolved into,” he said.
“I ended up becoming qualified as a Level One referee, officiating at district events for the last eight to 10 years.”
Qualification to become an official involves gaining an understanding of up to 12 roles, ranging from recording results, announcing and rules
“As an official you are the end of the line of the process when parents or coaches have concerns,” Laity said.
“As swimming is more of an individual sport, as well as being a gentlemanly sense of fair play, there tends to be a less amount of concerns compared with other sports.”
Laity hopes others will step up to the role in a sport that he said is “losing its numbers very slowly”.
“It takes a lot of dedication for people to give it a go, as you are mainly doing it by yourself,” he said.
The 2016/17 swimming season will begin in November.
