1. Officiating in Australia
Emery Holmik
Peter Topp

2. 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....

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 Griffith University

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. Officiating in Australia
High performance officiating
From here:

34. Officiating in Australia
High performance officiating
To here:

35. 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

36. Officiating Framework

37. Officiating in Australia
Thanks
Questions?
Emery Holmik
Peter Topp