It may be common knowledge that Cayman’s Pan American Games Team will feature top swimmers Brett and Shaune Fraser, Tori Flowers and Lara Butler in the pool; but those who are not members of the Islands’ swimming fraternity can be forgiven for not knowing that the Cayman Islands will also be represented on the pool deck by Cayman based, FINA certified, official Adam Roberts.

Tom McCallum, CIASA President, is delighted with the acknowledgement of Cayman Swimming that this appointment represents, “These games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics and the swimming is a recognised Olympic qualifying event. This is indicative of the professional level of officiating which is expected and is a compliment to Cayman Swimming generally, and more specifically to Adam.”

Adam, along with his wife Amanda first became involved with swimming when their children did. Encouraged to take part in the running of swim meets (and of the Stingray Swim Club – 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 excelled 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. Fully supported throughout by CIASA and by the SSC, both with encouragement and finances – 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. Easily recognisable figures at  many SSC meets they have contributed to the successful development of many of Cayman’s top swimmers over the past years.

“Through the years we have received training from many sources, and would like to acknowledge Steven Goldman and Beth Tillman from Florida; and John Eyre and Errol Clarke, who are FINA referees from the Caribbean. Both of their clinics were FINA approved,” said Adam. “We are now in a position to offer on-island training and will shortly be conducting another training session.”

“I have stood/officiated at four CARIFTA Championships and this year three Cayman officials refereed out of eight available slots; the Island Games in Rhodes (2007) and at the Walter Rodgers Meet in Jamaica. In 2010, my name together with Olive Balderamos of Cayman was put forward for inclusion in the FINA list of referees and we were both accepted on the 2011 List. This was a first for Cayman.”

“We need more parents and swimmers to step up and become involved in officiating … and I encourage anyone interested to come down to the next meet, The Stingray Swim Club Sprint Meet, this Saturday, October 15th at the Lions Pool to have a look at what it takes for themselves. 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; I should also acknowledge the training of Steven Goldman and Errol Clarke who have both been so knowledgeable and supportive,” summed up Adam.

Meanwhile we wish our swimmers and all of the other athletes representing the Cayman Islands in the Pan Am Games in other disciplines the best of luck.

The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games or the 16th Pan American Games, will be held from October 14–30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.