Why officiate?
Gaining an Official Sports London Bursary can unlock the door to gaining a new qualification, improve your access to volunteering, work and social opportunities and allow you to take the lead for your sport.
The Importance and Role of Sports Officials
Every National Governing Body of sport, club, athlete/participant and event organiser will tell you of the immense value which they place on the official. Competitive sport at any level cannot happen without the input of sport’s technical officials.
There are numerous different officiating roles in every sport. Whilst these roles differ they are likely to require an individual to:
- Impartially apply the laws and rules of their sport;
- Ensure the integrity of a sports competition;
- Promote good sportsmanship and equity;
- Measure performance;
- Keep score;
- Keep time;
- Manage the playing area;
- Manage the competitors;
- Ensure the well-being of competitors;
- Present the sport to the spectator;
- Operate the latest information technology;
- Build relationships; and
- Work as part of a team with other officials.
Why Officiate? What are the benefits?
People officiate in sport for a variety of different reasons. Each of these reasons has a host of benefits to the individual including:
- Keeping in touch with a sport they have played and loved, or currently play and love;
- Giving something back to a sport which they have been passionate about;
- Gaining new and recognised qualifications;
- Supporting a sports club or sport they have a personal, family or social connection with;
- Developing a new and engaging pastime;
- Building new friendships and social networks;
- Giving people the opportunity to compete in sport;
- The fulfilment of the challenge and ensuring fair play;
- Choosing a different path to get to the greatest sporting stage for their sport and officiate at a top level international/ professional competition;
- Improving their transferable skills; and
- Developing their career.
The benefits do not stop at the individual. By officiating you could benefit your sport, its participants and clubs.
What Personal Qualities do Sports Officials Require?
Some of the key personal qualities required of good officials include:
- Fairness;
- Honesty;
- Integrity;
- Commitment;
- Effectiveness;
- Consistency;
- Decisiveness;
- The ability to act responsibly;
- Strong communication skills;
- Partnership working;
- The ability to cope under pressure;
- Negotiation skills;
- Being approachable;
- Positivity;
- The ability to learn and apply the rules of the sport; and
- The ability to evaluate play.
Some, but not all, officiating roles require physical fitness and endurance. Official Sports London and its partner National Governing Bodies are committed to providing officiating opportunities for all. If you are concerned about your ability to fulfill any of the physical or sensory elements of officiating due to fitness levels or a disability, please discuss this with the National Governing Body of your sport, or the Official Sports London team.
If you would like to find out more about officiating roles in your favourite sport, links to each of our partner governing bodies can be found here.
Sports Officials UK (SOUK)
Sports Officials UK (SOUK) is the organisation responsible for representing and supporting sports officials across all sports in the UK. SOUK comprises representatives from a number of National Governing Bodies of sport with the responsibility for the sports specific training education and development of officials. They work to develop and promote examples of good practice in relation to the training and development of referees, umpires, stewards and judges. SOUK is a key partner of the Official Sports London Bursary Scheme. You can find out more about SOUK at www.sportsofficialsuk.com
In support of Official Sports London, SOUK’s Chairman, Dr David Pegg has developed ‘Why Officiate?’ This document has been instrumental in developing this section of the website and serves as an excellent guide for new and prospective officials. It can be downloaded, free of charge, by clicking here.
Is Officiating for You?
If you feel you have the qualities needed to become a sports official then why not apply today?
