Officials - Recruiting and retaining officials

• In addition to presenting your new officials with a volunteer welcome pack, your organisation could provide all new officials with information such as:
  
  • A copy of the codes of behaviour
  • An outline of officiating career pathways
  • Information on upcoming training course dates and costs
  • How much they will be paid (if appropriate)
  • Uniforms
  • Concessions
  • Special events
    
• Appoint an officials’ coordinator or manager within the club/association so there is a single point of contact for all club officials. The coordinator could:
  
  • Help recruit officials to your organisation
  • Organise the officiating duties each week
  • Organise training courses, special events and ongoing support
  • Ensure the officials are recognised through awards, uniforms or payment (See ‘Thanks’ Campaign)
  • Be a contact person for the club/association for officiating information
  • Help with communication between officials and the club or association committee
  • Deal with any officiating issues that arise
  • Provide role models and mentors to work with juniors to encourage and support them each time they officiate
  • Invite parents of players to become officials and train them
  • Develop links with physical education teachers at local schools

Provide your officials with a harassment free environment

Participation in sport and recreation should be fair, fun and safe. For this to happen everyone, including coaches, match and club officials, other team members/athletes, team personnel, spectators and opposition members, need to act fairly and respectfully towards each other.

Play by the Rules provides information on how to prevent and deal with inappropriate behaviour including discrimination, harassment, favouritism, bias and various forms of abuse. The Play by the Rules website is an online training and information resource for sport and recreation clubs and associations.

Officials Code of ethics
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) believes that the responsibility for the ethical conduct of sport in Australia rests equally with officials, players, administrators, coaches, spectators, media, educators, parents, governments, sponsors and team owners.

For more information on the officials’ code of ethics click here http://www.ausport.gov.au/official/ethics.asp

Member Protection Officer
A Member Protection Officer, formerly known as a Harassment Contact Officer, is the first point of call in a club or sporting organisation for any enquiries, concerns or complaints about harassment and abuse. The Officer provides confidential information and moral support. The Officer is integral to the successful implementation of a sport’s Member Protection Policy. To find a Member Protection Officer within your sport contact your State Sporting Association or contact the Office for Recreation and Sport on (08) 7424 7677.

For more information on member protection visit the sport ethics section on this website.

State Coaching and Officiating Centre
Office for Recreation and Sport
Phone: +61 8 7424 7625
Fax: +61 8 7424 7753
E-mail: coachingandofficiating@saugov.sa.gov.au