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
Endorsed
01 February 2015
Review
01 February 2017