Volunteer Requirements

MSSAC Hosted Swim Meets

We plan to host 3 major swim meets each year, along with 2 or 3 novice meets and 3 Development Club Meets (MSDC).  These competitions are a significant source of revenue for the club, but more importantly, they are essential to the success of our swimmer’s experience as they enjoy the thrill of racing.  It takes a large number of volunteers to hold a successful meet.  For an 8-lane pool with races running from each end, we need approximately 60 people per session (approx 4 hours).  There are at least 2 timers per lane, per end, along with referees, starters, strokes & turns judges, electronic experts, clerks and marshals, safety marshals and the list goes on.  Given the support required, we need ‘all hands on deck’ to be successful.

Starting with the 2007-2008 season, Mississauga Swimming began to focus its membership on volunteerism for club hosted meets.  MSSAC swim meets have become the Club’s largest revenue generator.  Maintaining the officiating levels required to host three successful major meets each year will take an army of volunteers.  We also run smaller meets such as Inter-Squad, TriStar, 12 & Under Club Champs, and Time Trials.  To support these meets, all MSSAC families will be required to have at least one volunteer per family attend a Swim Ontario Official’s Clinic per year (either in-house or via our Swim Ontario Central Region) and obtain accreditation (2 deck sign-offs) until a minimum of four courses & accreditations are completed.  This is the minimum expectation of the Club.  A fine of $200.00 will be levied at the end of each year for noncompliance.  Final decision to levy the fine or waive it will rest with the MSSAC Officials Chair.

If there's a teenager in your family (14+) (and their friends) would like to earn volunteer hours for high school, working the meets as a Timer is a great way to complete the required 40 hours. They should attend the Level 1 Timers clinic, but if this isn't feasible, we have other jobs that they can assist with (e.g., runners, medals & ribbons).  We also host many small meets at UTM where we need lots of help - MSDC meets in particular.  If you know high school students who can help at MSDC meets, please email our VP Technical, Jeff Trudeau.   The MSDC meet schedule is available on the MSDC page of this website.

MSSAC hosts two invitational meets annually: the short-course Harvest/Autumn Meet in October and long course Dr. Ralph Hicken Meet in May. The Club may also host additional meets, including those conducted on behalf of the Central Region of Swim Ontario (dependent on the results of the bidding process for such meets). These are top level competitions that require each family in The Mississauga Aquatic Club to work volunteer sessions. Your session requirements will be posted on the Club’s website approximately 4 weeks in advance of the meet.  The meets and dates will also be posted on the website in September. 

Please note that:

Families will be given the opportunity to sign-up for officiating jobs and session times starting 3 weeks in advance of these meets.  Information will be provided through the Parent Reps and the Club’s website.  We encourage everyone to register as early as possible.

Families may also be asked to provide food (e.g., water, pop, coffee, cheese etc.) for the officials and coaches.  Details will be provided in advance.

Those families who do not complete their officiating commitments will be levied a fee of $50.00 per session not worked.