Managing TeleGames

The purpose of TeleGames is to:

  • Have some serious fun!
  • Ensure a fair and efficient competition.
  • Provide the opportunity for the Officials to learn how to run a Junior Lifeguard Games.

Keep the tone informal and low key. Here is a list of tasks and job descriptions:

Tasks

  1. Prepare a list and register all competitions. Required information is: name of club, name of competitor, age, sex, events entered, relay team name(s), names of relay team members.
  2. Prepare and print an event program.
  3. Welcome all participants and coaches to the Games. Invite adult/parent participation as timers and officials. Distribute the games program.
  4. Marshall competitors by event.
  5. Set up the equipment and course for each event. N.B. Events can include both sexes within a given age group to save time.
  6. Run the events recording the place and time for each competitor on a competitor time card.
  7. Phone, fax, mail or mail results of each event to the TeleGames Scoring Centre.
  8. The Scoring Centre will compile the results and send a copy to the coach of each club.
  9. Congratulate all participants. Thank parents and invite everyone back for the next session.

Job Descriptions

Meet Manager responsibilities include:

  • Official Welcome
  • Set up course and equipment for each event
  • Manage parents and other volunteers
  • Thank all participants at the end of Games

In-water set up of equipment will be required. Recruit help from volunteers to make this easier.

Marshall responsibilities include:

  • Marshall competitors by heat for all events
  • Distribute time card indicating the event, age group, and competitors' name to each competitor
  • Describe event rules to competitors before each heat

Additional help makes it easier to match competitors with time cards and to get them in the appropriate heat.

Referee responsibilities include:

  • In charge of all participants at the meet
  • Start each event
  • Judge strokes and turns
  • Judge place of finishing for each event

Chief Time Keeper responsibilities include:

  • Trains and monitors timers
  • Time first place finish
  • Collect competed time cards and determine official time

Timers responsibilities include:

  • Timing
  • Recording results on time cards

Strive for 2 timers per lane. Volunteers or recruited parents may fill this role

Materials List

  1. All Events
    • Starter's whistle (1 required)
    • Stopwatches (2 per lane)
    • Competitor Time Cards to record time and placing (1 per swimmer, per event)
    • Clipboards (1 per lane)
    • Pencils
  2. Lifesaving Individual Medley and Lifesaving Medley Relay
    • No equipment required
  3. Object Carry
    • Weights: vary with age group: 7 yr. & under use 1 lb. or less (e.g., puck, rings); 8 & 9 yrs. use 5 lb.; 10-13 yr. use 10 lb. and; 14-18 yr. use 20 lb.
  4. Obstacle Swim & Obstacle Relay
    • Obstacles for competitors 7 yr. & under consist of a rope fixed in a straight line across all lanes. The rope colour should contrast with the water.
    • Obstacles (1 per lane) for competitors 8 yr. & over are 35 cm (14 inches) high and fixed at right angles onto lane ropes in a straight line across the pool
  5. Individual Lifesaving Medley
    • No Equipment required
  6. Throwing Accuracy
    • Tape measure (1 required)
    • Throw line shall be 8 mm or 5/16 in. diameter buoyant polypropylene double braid line. Length varies with age group (see chart).
    • Target shall be maximum 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm +/- 2 cm. Distance to target varies with age group: 11 yr. & under 4 m; 12-15 yr. 7 m; 16 & 17 yr. 10 m.
    • Targets may be secured in place by the use of weighted objects and/or attched to lane ropes. Suggested targets (1 per lane): clipped rescue tube; clipped 60-90 lb. lifejacket; large kickboard; publl buoy; rescue buoy ring.
    • :::
  7. Tow with Fins
    • Swim fins: Competitors may use their own fins or those provided by the competition organizers. To avoid injury, competitors should only wear fins of a size appropriate to their physical development. Fins must not be longer than 60 cm including shoe or ankle strap; and the fin part itself must not be longer than the length of the foot well. Fins must not be wider than 21 cm at the widest point of the blade.
    • Manikins: Manikins must meet Lifesaving Society requirements and specifications (i.e., Lifesaving Society Training or Competition Manikins, DLRG Manikins, Australia Manikins).
      For competitors 11 yr. & under, the maninkin is empty and a loop is attached to the top of the manikin's head or the back of the neck. For competitors 12 yr. & over, the manikin is filled with water so that it floats with the top of its transverse line at the surface.
      Many manikins no longer have a clip at the top of the head. Clubs will need to develop new strategies for manikin clipping for competitors 11 yr. & under. A simple suggestion from the Richmond Hill Lifesaving Club is to fit the manikin with a 60-90 lb. lifejacket. Competitors can clip the loop on the lifejacket and tow the manikin this way. Please share other techniques your club develops.
    • Rescue tubes: Rescue tubes must meet Lifesaving Society requirements and specifications (i.e., Lifesaving Society rescue tubes, Australian rescue tubes).