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Position

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries expects every official in the WA sport system to have the right to perform their role in a respectful, appreciative and supportive environment. State Sporting Associations need to ensure that policies and practical frameworks are in place to support such environments. 

Purpose

An official is someone who controls the actual play of a competition (e.g. umpire, referee or judge) and administers the rules and laws of the sport to ensure the proper conduct of a sporting fixture in a safe environment.

Officials are an essential part of sport. They ensure that the game/event is played fairly, in accordance with the rules. Officiating can be fun, life-changing, contribute to leadership, personal development and is a practical strategy for the sport and recreation industry to encourage people in a non-playing role to stay involved in sport.

The Department supports the active involvement of people performing the role of an official and is committed to raising the profile, expertise and experience of officials in Western Australia.

Key factors

The following factors are considered to be key components for the effective development of officials within the sport and recreation industry:

• State Sporting Associations should have a strong focus on attracting and retaining their workforce through the implementation of an officiating pathway.
• Officials must be provided with a respectful, appreciative and supportive environment in which to undertake their role.
• Officials need to be appropriately recognised and rewarded for performing their role.
• The industry must remain flexible and inclusive in facilitating innovative strategies in the recruitment, development and retention of officials.

Implementation

The Department is committed to offering a range of resources and professional development opportunities that support the development of officials within the sport and recreation industry in Western Australia. 

High quality officials make the difference between continuous and uninterrupted action and competition that is tense with frustrated competitors, coaches and spectators. Learning and development opportunities that result in accreditation are those qualifications provided through the National Officiating Accreditation Scheme and supported by the relevant National Sporting Organisations.

A Coaching and Officiating Strategy has been developed to respond to industry needs which consists of a consolidation of various planning documents, action plans and research relating to strategies, projects and events for the development of coaches and officials state-wide. The strategy has been endorsed by the Coaches and Officials Advisory Group, which comprises of representatives from a range of State Sporting Associations, working in the area of coaching and officiating.

Contacts

Team Leader, Organisational Sustainability
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries – Sport and Recreation
Telephone 61 8 6552 7300

Useful websites

• Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries — Officiating in WA
• Australian Sports Commission — Officiating information
• Play by the Rules

Endorsed

01 February 2015

Review

01 February 2017