Volunteering
GSSC is a volunteer-supported community club.
Competitions, carnivals, fundraising, communications, governance and team activities all rely on members and families contributing their time.
We ask everyone to share the work reasonably so that the opportunities our swimmers enjoy don’t depend on the same few people every time.
The easiest place to start.
Swimming competitions rely on clubs providing timekeepers. No previous swimming experience is needed and another parent can show you what to do.
Help us host successful events.
GSSC’s carnivals need people across setup, timekeeping, catering, marshalling, raffles, pack-down and plenty of small jobs in between.
Help the team run smoothly.
Team Managers support swimmers, coaches and families at selected competitions and help coordinate the practical arrangements on the day.
All coaches engaged by the Great Southern Swimming Club (GSSC), whether in a paid or volunteer capacity, must hold and maintain a current Australian Swim Coach Licence. The licence is renewed annually and confirms that the coach meets national requirements relating to education, child safeguarding, integrity, and professional standards. To obtain a licence, new coaches must complete the required prerequisite training and the Australian Swim Coach Course. This program combines online and face-to-face learning with supervised on-deck practical experience and competency sign-off.
Licensed coaches must also maintain current compliance requirements. Swimming Australia currently requires all licensed coaches to maintain:
First Aid
CPR
Child Safeguarding education
Anti-Doping Fundamentals
the applicable annual Sport Integrity update
GSSC supports people who are interested in developing as coaches and invests in the training and accreditation needed to do the role well.
Help make competition possible.
Swimming meets rely on trained officials to ensure events are run fairly, safely and consistently.
Officials take on roles such as timekeeping supervision, marshalling, judging strokes and turns, starting races and supporting the overall operation of a meet.
You do not need to begin as an expert. Most officials start by learning one role at a time and build their knowledge through practical experience and formal training.
Becoming an official is a valuable way to:
understand the sport more deeply
support swimmers and competitions
contribute beyond basic volunteer duties
help GSSC meet the officiating needs that come with hosting and attending meets.
For families who enjoy the technical side of swimming, officiating can become a very rewarding role in its own right.
Help create more opportunities.
Raffles, sponsorship, Club activities and fundraising help GSSC invest beyond the basic costs of running the program.
Good clubs need good governance as well as good coaching.
GSSC is run by a volunteer Committee elected by members. The Committee is responsible for the decisions, administration and oversight that allow the Club to operate safely, sustainably and in the interests of its members.
Committee work can include:
governance and policy
finance and budgeting
membership administration
communications
child safety and member protection
uniforms and merchandise
sponsorship and fundraising
events and competition planning
facility and stakeholder relationships
strategic planning and Club development.
These roles are important because much of what members experience depends on work happening behind the scenes: fees being set, insurance and affiliation being maintained, coaches being supported, events being organised, policies being kept current and the Club meeting its legal and sporting obligations.
You do not need a swimming background to contribute. Skills from work, community involvement or everyday life can be just as useful.
Working with Children Checks
Some Club and competition roles require a current Working with Children Check (WWCC).
This includes roles such as Committee members, coaches, Team Managers, technical officials and some event volunteer roles. GSSC’s By-Laws also require an associated parent/caregiver to meet WWCC requirements for certain Championship or other competitions where the Club requires families to undertake relevant volunteer duties.
GSSC can organise free WWCC for our volunteers.
Need a WWCC?
Fill out the form below and we will initiate one for you.
Have a WWCC?
Upload it to your SwimCentral account! This will allow you to register as a timekeeper, team manager or official at swim meets!