Stingray Swim Club, Grand Cayman, 18 December 2012: Local swim officials Adam and Amanda Roberts are used to doing things together, having been a couple since December 1984, but the latest development is not one they could have anticipated all those years ago in snowy Essex.

As Adam prepared to fly to Istanbul to officiate at the World Short Course Championships, news came through that Amanda had joined him on the FINA list of referees (she will be on List#17 from January 2013). Adam has been on the list since 2011, but he is quick to acknowledge that she is more thorough   than him and has been the driving force behind the advancement of officials’ training the past few years:  “She has been tireless in driving forward the training programme, working with Stingray Swim Club  (SSC), CIASA, myself and Olive Balderamos  (Cayman’s other FINA referee and chair of the CIASA Technical Committee) to ensure that the opportunity to receive proper training on island is available to all who are interested”.

Adam and Amanda first became involved with swimming when their children did. Encouraged to take part in the running of swim meets  (and of SSC) by Sara Mackay, the Roberts attended training clinics for officials when they were available in Cayman and shortly after they started standing as officials.

As the Roberts’ children competed in the pool, Adam and Amanda continued to support the club and made it a personal decision to put officials’ training near the top of their list of priorities. Supported throughout by CIASA and by SSC, both with encouragement and some financial assistance   – with the two organisations splitting the cost of putting on clinics and assisting with overseas trips – the two have dedicated considerable personal time to bringing a professional and accredited level of swim meet officiating to the Cayman Islands.

Both acknowledge the influence through the years of many trainers from different origins: Steven Goldman and Beth Tillman from Florida, and John Eyre and Errol Clarke, who are FINA referees from the Caribbean. There was also a clinic funded by FINA this year by Neil Booth from the UK.  “I am delighted that we now have a solid band of knowledgeable technical officials drawn from both Clubs, SSC and CBAC, to cover the meets and assist in the development of the swimmers.  Cayman can be very proud that the recent Mike Lockwood Memorial Meet had over 20 locally trained technical officials standing on deck.”

Meanwhile, Adam is excited about attending another major championship; in 2011, he was the first swimming official from Cayman to stand at the PANAM Games in Guadalajara.  “When I was in England during the summer, I made contact with Errol Clarke who was one of the Olympic referees and he asked me if I would be available to go to Istanbul in December.  It really is a great thrill an honour to be selected.  I am very grateful to all who have supported and encouraged me to reach this level, especially SSC and CIASA and the Cayman Islands Government for giving me time off to attend,” he said.

“Not only is Amanda a driving force behind the development of local, qualified and trained Officials here in Cayman, she is also SSC’s Vice President and an enthusiastic, committed and dedicated member of the Cayman Swimming Family,” said SSC President Brenda McGrath. “Congratulations Amanda and thank you to both   Adam and Amanda for their continued   support   of Cayman Swimming.”

About Stingray Swim Club: The Stingray Swim Club  (SSC), a non-profit club, is run by its elected Board of Directors, which meets   each month.   SSC is a year round   competitive swim team   offering high quality professional   coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities.  SSC’s goal is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor.

For more information, visit www.caymanswimming.com