COUNTY OFFICIALS SECRETARY ROLE AND EXPECTATION

APPOINTMENT Based on agreed job description/qualities of an Officials Secretary Local appointment by either – COUNTY ASSOCIATION REGIONAL COUNCIL

COUNTY ASSOCIATION County focuses on someone suitable for the role prior to appointment Time allowed for ‘shadowing’ Appointed by County Association (even though they have no governance role) at AGM

Regional Council Through Regional Officials Portfolio Holder to reflect the role of governance and responsibility for Education and Development of Technical Officials Researching for anyone with the necessary skills & interests and prepared to be responsible for a ‘county’ (need not be an Official from that county) As the COffSec may be involved in the local delivery of Technical Officials Educational initiatives and is working on behalf of EA recruitment & development they could sign up to an EA Code of Conduct

An EA (National & Regional) strategy & various initiatives in terms of Education and Development To work within an EA Code of Conduct and for EA to provide support to the Officials Secretary to show linkage from National Governing Body to local level Could EA support an Honorarium for the Officials Secretary?

Duties & Responsibilities Recruitment and Development of Officials Maintain contact with local clubs (T&F and/or Endurance) to encourage the recruitment and development of club members interested in becoming Technical Officials Encourage ‘ad hoc’ helpers at athletic events to attend a Level 2 Officials’ course Make recommendations to England Athletics on the need to provide Level 2 courses in the County Identify suitable venues for courses, recognising the need to keep travel to a minimum for those attending Recommend suitable tutors to England Athletics, for the disciplines to be covered Circulate, as widely as possible, information on upcoming courses

Follow up with those attending the courses to ensure that they are continually informed of officiating opportunities and made welcome when they attend Encourage new Level 2 Officials to complete the process by filling in the ‘Application for Accreditation as Level 2 (Club) Official’ Advise and support Officials in their development Encourage a proactive approach in all new Officials so that they take ownership of their own progress Ensure that Tri-Regional Secretaries are aware of the availability of such Officials for appointment in non-technical roles Make recommendations for appropriate reports to be obtained on Level 2 (County) Officials, based on duties performed and of events covered, in support of a subsequent ‘Application for Accreditation as Level 2 (Regional) Official’ Help in the provision of suitable mentors for developing Officials

Governance and Infrastructure Maintain & monitor the list of all registered Officials on the Trinity data- base who are affiliated to the county Provide information to the Tri-Regional Group and UKA to enable Territorial and National lists to be kept up-to-date Receive Annual Records of Experience from Level 2 (& 3?) Officials Act in a liaison role between EA/UKA and local Officials to clarify National policy Act as the conduit in feeding back ‘ground root’ opinion to help in developing National policy Participate in meetings called by the Tri-Regional Secretary and/or Regional Technical Officials Portfolio Holder

Competition Invite Officials cover in support of County-organised events Provide information for clubs and other appropriate bodies seeking Officials for their own meetings

SKILLS REQUIRED / PREFERRED IN A COFFSEC Essential Good (excellent?) working knowledge of UKA Officials Pathways and Education processes Basic PC skills (Word / Excel/ Internet) Operating actively as an Official at Regional Level Desirable Presentation skills Operating actively as an Official at National Level Wide knowledge of officiating disciplines Network of contacts within the Sport outside own county

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED / PREFERRED IN A COFFSEC Essential Communication: written and verbal Planning & Organising Prepared to embrace use of Technology Discretion / Integrity: able to handle sensitive information Ability to work collaboratively Desirable Leadership Making change work A desire to enthuse young people Flexibility and humour

QUESTIONS 1. Is there any other option you would add for the appointment of a COffSec? 2.Which method of appointment mentioned would be preferred? 3. Does the list of duties & responsibilities reflect the needs of the present day COffSec? 4. What other qualities should be added to those required of a COffSec? 5. How could the various lines of communication be simplified? 6. How can England Athletics support COffSecs?