Officiating in Australia Emery Holmik Peter Topp

Officiating in Australia Presentation summary Background to Officiating in Australia National Officiating Program Year of the Official outcomes ASC research Current state of play – What the ASC is doing NOAG – NOSP – Framework Good practice High Performance issues and models Future....

Organisational Structure Sports Coach and Official Section Organisational Structure Emery Holmik General Manager Kellie Alexander Section Administrator Darlene Harrison Manager High Performance Vacant Sue Jenkins Senior High Performance Sports Consultants Peter Brown Darryl Durham High Performance Sports Consultants John Armstrong Stakeholder Servicing Antonia Harmer Peter Topp Senior Sports Consultants Sue Sinclair Sian Mulholland Jenni Sutherland Adam Horner Sports Consultants Natalie Menzies A/Manager Learning and Development Senior Sports Consultant Loren Trimble Ashley Synott

Officiating in Australia Emery Holmik, Manager, Sports Coach and Official Section, ASC From NOP to Now National Officiating Program Year of the Official Research conclusions & considerations

Officiating in Australia ASC involvement since 1991 through the National Officiating Accreditation Program (NOAS), Codes of Conduct, Harassment Free Sport Program and Junior Sport Policy National Officiating Program established in 1994 – to develop and implement programs to improve quality, quantity, leadership and status of officiating

Officiating in Australia Australian Bureau of Statistics survey 2002 26% decline in officials from 1997 – 2001 – abuse suggested as significant factor Fair Go for Officials – ASC forum 2002 in consultation with State and Territory Departments of Sport & Recreation Outcomes lead to the “Year of the Official” campaign in 2003

Officiating in Australia Key focus of the YOF was on strategies to address abuse of officials and change social attitudes Engaged major stakeholders in changing behaviours campaign

Officiating in Australia Outcome / Results (Year of the Official) Survey 1 in 5 Australians had seen or heard about YOF Overall attitudes (survey): 81% feel abuse is never acceptable 18% believe it is acceptable “sometimes” 75% concerned about abuse of officials

Officiating in Australia Survey Results (Year of the Official) Perception of change compared with 3 years ago: 37% believe there is now more abuse 11% believe there is less 41% believe there is no change

Officiating in Australia Australian Sports Commission research into the Officiating: Year of the Official - Time to Respect the Official – National campaign focussed on promotion of Officiating – ASC 2004 Problems and Issues in the Recruitment and retention of Sports Officials – Graham Cuskelly & Russell Hoye 2005 - Griffith University

Officiating in Australia Some key conclusions: Problems in retention of officials, particularly inexperienced officials at the grass roots level of sport National and State bodies have little influence in the recruitment and retention of sports officials at grass roots levels The facilities and resources available to sports officials at the grass roots level are inadequate

Officiating in Australia Key conclusions There are significant shortcomings in the training provided for sports officials to deal with abuse and conflict situations The feedback provided to practicing officials at the grass roots level is generally inadequate There is an underlying assumption that all sports officials are seeking career advancement

Officiating in Australia Key conclusions The skills and abilities of sports officials’ coordinators is a key determinant in the recruitment, development and retention of sports officials. Sports should attempt to build a stronger and more positive public image for sports officiating.

Officiating in Australia Considerations: More actively managing the intent of “codes of conduct” Zero tolerance policies with mandatory suspension guidelines The application of consistent and enforceable sanctions The implementation of a de-accreditation policy for coaches who repeatedly abuse officials

Officiating in Australia Recognition of officials through such things as: Providing adequate resources for officials including separate and secure rooms and storage space at all venues Reducing or eliminating out of pocket expenses associated with training, accreditation and equipment for officials Recognition that officials are integral to positive sport experiences for players, coaches and spectators at all levels of sport

Officiating in Australia Formal recognition schemes for sports officials at all levels including regular opportunities for officials to mix formally and informally with coaches, players and administrators Sports at all levels should shift from stand-alone to integrated structures in relation to sports officiating

Officiating in Australia Peter Topp, Senior Sports Consultant, Sports Coach and Official Section Current state of play NOAG – industry reference group NOSP NOAS Initiatives Research Education & Training

Officiating in Australia What is the ASC doing? National Officiating Scholarship Program (NOSP) – Designed to enhance the learning and competence of potential high performance officials Target NSOs to develop, update and re-write training programs under NOAS National Officiating Workshops – Conduct combined Coaching & Officiating workshops for NSO & State personnel

Officiating in Australia State Coaching & Officiating Centres – Work closely with State Departments of Sport to develop Officiating with National and State Sporting Organisations National Officiating Advisory Group (NOAG) – targeted officiating industry representatives from sports and other appropriate bodies to provide strategic input to the direction of officiating with the ASC

Officiating in Australia Officials Managers workshop – work with NSOs to assist club level individuals to deliver necessary service to sports Junior Officiating Academies – Pilot Officiating Academies with Clubs / LGAs / Schools Officiating Framework – Assist NSOs in the development of an Officiating Framework that will assist in the development of Officials

Officiating in Australia Mentor Skills workshops – introduce a second phase of Mentor development, targeting Mentor skills of Communication, Conflict Resolution, Learning Styles, Giving & Receiving feedback and Emotional Intelligence Presenter & Assessor Skills – Revised Presenter and Assessor training focusing on practical application not theory

Officiating in Australia On-line General Principles – ASC General Principles available via the web: More self-reflection– ‘Learning Journal’ at the start and end of each module Layered approach to info – case study, model answer, quick tip and dig deeper Greater use of video - 5 video segments. Two new videos have been developed on Communication and Risk mgmt. 360 degree risk assessment activity Showing the ‘human’ side to officials through images, audio and related activities

Officiating in Australia On-line General Principles – ASC General Principles available via the web:

Officiating in Australia On-line General Principles – ASC General Principles available via the web: Course launched in May 08 Enrolments to date: 11,976 Completions to date: 7,579

Officiating in Australia Good practice examples Green Shirt Program – AFL and others - Identification of junior/new officials Mentoring – Helping guide officials through 1800 dial-a-ref – ARL referee recruiting Compulsory referee course attendance – Lacrosse Victoria Duty referees – used to help run competitions

Officiating in Australia Good practice examples Whole of sport approach – Umpire Academy programs – small group of umpires in a scholarship program Ground Managers – Administrators in bright tops “We’re not playing for sheep stations” – AFL educating parents about behaviour Locker room forums – Qld Sport & Recreation – series of evening forums exchanging ideas

Officiating in Australia High performance officiating Issues Officiating departments in NSOs HP development programs Resources for officials Support for officials – pre, during & post match Length of appointments to HP Access / control over appointments (age, politics) Role of Official’s coach

Officiating in Australia High performance officiating Issues Official Coach / Assessor / Appointee conflict Video role in officiating Life / Work (Officiating) balance What happens after? (retirement?) Players becoming officials Research

Officiating in Australia High performance officiating Role of the media Judiciary role Link of high performance to community officiating

Officiating in Australia High performance officiating examples AFL AFL Umpires list – P/T - 32 central umpires + Boundary & Goal Umps AFL Umpires Department – National Ump Manager & Coach Basketball NBL – P/T contracted BA Coach / Assessor Cricket National Umpires Panel – Sheffield Shield Emerging Umpires Panel – 12 umpires High Performance Umpires (assessment) panel – 4 + Nat Umpires Manager

Officiating in Australia High performance officiating examples Football 7 referees P/T for A-League 21 home based for the Youth league W-League Referee Assessor group for all referees

Developing high performance officials High performance officiating examples Rugby League NRL referees F/T NRL Match Officials Group – 5 former NRL refs – Match assess Rugby Union National Elite Panel service 30 refs National A Panel – 6 contracted referees – national & international National B Panel – 11 referees – Super14 & Major domestic National development panel – 13 referees – potential to Super14

Officiating in Australia High performance officiating From here:

Officiating in Australia High performance officiating To here:

Officiating in Australia Emery Holmik, Manager, Sports Coach and Official Section, ASC Future trends and challenges International conference Officiating Framework Brand management Treatment of officials

Officiating Framework

Officiating in Australia Thanks Questions? Emery Holmik Email emery.holmik@ausport.gov.au Peter Topp peter.topp@ausport.gov.au