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20 tips for officials

1. Complete basic accreditation courses and training.
   
   • Clubs should ensure their officials access the National Officiating Accreditation Scheme (NOAS) that is in place to support the education and development of officials. It provides competency based training and a nationally recognised accreditation to officials working at all levels of sport.
   • Contact your State Sporting Association (SSA) who will provide guidance in accessing the NOAS and any other education and training opportunities sport specific courses.
2. Remain updated and current with accreditations.
   
   • Rules and techniques often change.
   • It is essential that you keep updated with new trends to improve your knowledge.
3. Attend player training sessions, rules workshops and courses conducted by your state or regional associations regularly.
4. Be fit! It will enhance your performance and allow you to be mentally and physically ready.
5. Attend any extra seminars or workshops that are educational and will provide you with more training.
   
   • The department conducts seminars and workshops for officials.
   • Contact your association for sport-specific courses
6. Be responsible for your own actions
7. Be familiar with your sport’s Codes of Behaviour
   
   • Contact your SSA for your sport’s Codes of Behaviour documents
8. Visit the Sport and Recreation and Australian Sports Commission (ASC) websites
9. Understand the rules and how to apply them to your sport.
   
   • Attend rules discussions and club raining sessions.
10. Ensure the match/competition is fair and equable for all participants
11. Know who you can get support or assistance from when you are officiating
    • This may be a match day supervisor or association coordinator
    • Your role model or mentor could also assist you when you are officiating
12. Be approachable, friendly and confident! Stay cool and controlled even when under pressure from criticism from players, coaches and spectators
13. Look the part! Dress appropriately to officiate your sport
14. Ensure you have the correct equipment to officiate your sport and a current rule book
15. Ensure the playing environment is safe for all participants and spectators before commencing the match/competition
16. Respect the players, coaches and spectators – treat them the way you like to be treated, but keep at arms length and stay independent in your role. Your call in applying the rules is the final call in the heat of competition – some independence is required even between friends.
17. Know how to deal with conflict or whom you can go to if you need help
18. Set goals for yourself – short, medium and long-term
19. Have a mentor or role model to encourage and coach you
20. Self analyse and assess your performance
    • Video your match and watch it later with your mentor
    • Be honest when you are assessing your performance.

Be a good ‘role model’ to others and enjoy being an official!

Five steps to recruiting, training, recognising and retaining officials

1. Appoint an Officials Development Officer (ODO) or manager as a point of contact for officials. The ODO could be responsible for:
   
   • Training, educating and recruiting officials
   • Allocation and rostering of officials to matches/competition
   • Recognition of officials through uniforms, awards, payment and/or scholarships
   • Being the contact/communication person for the club between associations and committees
   • Providing support for officials and dealing with any issues that may arise
   • Organising mentors for new officials.
2. Support your new officials by providing a ‘Welcome and Information for Officials’ pack. Examples of information to include:

• Calendar of events – course, program and workshop dates
• Career pathways
• Role of the official – responsibilities
• Codes of Behaviour
• Payment and/or costs
• State and national sporting association information
• Outline of available training/education programs.
• Provide quality training programs and courses to encourage people to become officials
• Provide mentors, role models or supervisors to assist juniors to encourage them when they officiate
• Encourage parents and players to become officials and train them
• Get support and develop links with your SSA.

Websites

• Australian Sports Commission (ASC)