To become a British Swimming Referee takes time and commitment. It is one of many voluntary positions within the swimming world.

Gt Yarmouth Swimming Club can, at long last, after many years, say that they have a qualified British Swimming Referee within its ranks.

Last January, Jo Banham, one of the assistant coaches at the club, began what proved to be a long and hard journey of study and poolside experience.

Jo spent many weekends both poolside and in the classroom gaining valuable experience in addition to the extra study at home which, in the weeks leading up to the theory exam, amounted to over 15 hours a week.

The national pass rate for this year’s theory exam was only 45 per cent.

There are two papers in the theory exam, both of which, the candidate is required to achieve a pass mark of 80 per cent and over to successfully pass the whole exam.

Then a practical assessment has to be completed out of the candidate’s home county.

A couple of weekends ago Jo travelled to Biggleswade to complete her assessment at an open meet under the watchful eyes of her two highly-qualified assessors.

Garry Jarvis, GYSC’s head coach, said: “We’re all very proud of Jo’s achievement.

“All that hard work has really paid off and it’s going to be a valuable assest to the club.”

Jo, who is also part of the learning support team at Cliff Park High School and involved in disability sport said: “A qualified referee is really going to benefit the club, a club that I’m very proud to be a part of.

“With their support and with that of the school, it’s made things a lot less stressful and easier.

“It may not be a paid position but when I’m poolside, to me, it’s the best job in the world.”