MAKE IT OFFICIAL BRITISH ATHLETICS’ OFFICIALS STRATEGY 2016 - 2020 Niels De Vos, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, UK ATHLETICS
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MAKE IT OFFICIAL BRITISH ATHLETICS’ OFFICIALS STRATEGY 2016 - 2020 Niels de Vos, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, UK ATHLETICS The importance of technical officials to the growth of athletics is impossible to overstate. Put simply, without officials there would be no British Athletics competition for athletes to take part in. From major international events such as London 2012, Glasgow 2014 and the upcoming World Championships in 2017 through to local leagues, from the London Marathon As athletes we rely on officials to and Great Run series to mountain, fell and cross country events, it is the 23/03/1983NIELS DE VOS, CHIEF Nike,EXECUTIVE, Beaverton UK ATHLETICS validate our performances. Officials keep commitment and expertise of UK Athletics (UKA) licensed officials that makes Mogadishu, Somalia Alberto Salazar the events operating professionally and all thesePortland, possible. USA Pace Sports Events that are prioritised by either DCMS or UK Sport will be invited to discuss the potential smoothly. Their important role should “Oregon Project, Newham Management UK &Athletics, Essexrange Beagles of alongside UK-level its support Home Country availableNike partners, from across is committed Government. to the Prior to this it will be important never be forgotten in the uncompromising recruitment,to evidence training, the development feasibility of andthe supportevent and of officials.provide a robust headline assessment that the event environment of competition. This documentis deliverable sets outand our affordable. strategic prioritiesIn some forcases the this next willfour be straightforward – particularly However as athletes we really appreciate years towhen ensure the we event support (or similar) our technical has been officials staged and in theprovide UK the previously. However, in some “the skill, hard work and dedication of our necessarycases training, a feasibility guidance study and may development be required. opportunities to officials and the many, many hours they enable us to continue to deliver top quality athletics events. give to our sport. I would like to thank all In considering whether the Government will support an event, DCMS may ask UK Sport to provide our officials for their valuable time and the an expert assessment of the bid, which will be used to inform Government Ministers as to whether support they give to competitive athletics Nigelsupport Holl, is DIRECTORappropriate, however OF STRATEGY the decision & PARTNERSHIPS,on the nature of the supportUK ATHLETICS will be taken by Ministers. in this country and abroad. Where there is a financial burden or risk to Government, DCMS may have to seek authority from HM Treasury to proceed. British Athletics is fortunate to have many excellent and committed Officials. As the demands of our competitive structure evolve however, it is Shara Proctor, DCMS and UK Sport support to major sporting events will be based on a partnership approach. clear we need to support, identify, motivate and cherish our existing Officials WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SILVER MEDALLIST 2015 and atIn the providing same time an welcomeextensive into package the family of support, more talented a number officials of requirements for would need to be the yearsdelivered, ahead. which This Strategy may include: simply sets the scene for that work and responsibility – with partners across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland▪ workingEarly engagement with UK Athletics with toDCMS deliver and against UK Sport these priorities in ways that work in those Home Countries. The challenges are significant – the ” ▪ Ability to acknowledge events as either a Gold Event Series funded event or a Gold Event “demands on voluntary time get greater, and our actions plans at Home Series supported event Country level that follow from this Strategy need to reflect that and adopt flexibility▪ Where and an funded, “official” a commitment centred approach to branding at the heart and of hospitality the work. opportunities for the National I look forwardLottery to andworking other with partners Home Country Athletic Federations (HCAF’s)▪ Commitment and the established where Officials possible to Groups engage to withcollectively cross deliver promotion of events on the against theSeries areas and issues this strategy so effectively summarises. ▪ Commitment to recognise and advocate public sector interests Malcolm▪ Commitment Rogers, to CHAIR work with OF Home TECHNICAL Country SportsADVISORY Councils GROUP (HCSCs) and Home Nation NGBs, where they exist, in developing the sport development activity ▪ Share knowledge transfer and resources with other events on the programme At the tender age of twenty-two, I was persuaded by my then Head of Department▪ Provision to organise of post-event the South data Sheffield to ensure Schools measurement District Athletics of impact across the Series Competitive athletics would just not Championships. Before he passed away last year, he’d seen me direct two happen without officials. They are a crucial Commonwealth Games, European and World Indoor Championships, ingredient to any event and as athletes we Paralympic Games and Olympic Games. If I can do it, anyone can! That chance really do appreciate their knowledge, skill and occurrence, so many years ago, literally opened the World to me, and those enthusiasm in carrying out their duties. We same opportunities await others. I now want to see other officials have the also recognise that they are volunteers who chance to develop their knowledge, abilities and people skills so that they too give us their time for their love of the sport. “can enjoy similar experiences. Often the only rewards are the warm glow of I’d like to thank each and every one for their satisfaction of a job well done and that “thank you”, whether it comes from “valuable contribution to athletics. a 13-year old or an Olympic Champion. It matters not whether officials are content to officiate at club level, where they perform invaluable service or at international level, without them there is no competition. Athletics Hannah Cockroft MBE, became my passion. The friendships last a lifetime and athletes PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST 2012 never forget the efforts made on their behalf. Aspire to be the best! 2 www.britishathletics.org.uk” 3 STRUCTURE IN THE UK Structure in the UK Official’s Pathway Whilst UKA sets the overall direction for Officials’ education and licensing, each individual HCAF has its own structure The structure provided by HCAF’s and UKA delivers a coherent pathway from beginner to international standard, with for delivering that strategy at club and regional levels. recognised and examined qualifications at each level. The responsibility for recruitment and education of officials at levels 1-3 lies with the HCAF’s and with UKA for the upper levels 4 and 5. UK Athletics Level 5 course (T&F) Level 5 to prepare candidates for Athletics England Athletics Scottish Athletics Welsh Athletics IAAF TOECS Level II and Northern Ireland European ITO Examinations Competition Management Award (CMA) is a management award that Official’s Level 4 Course Level 4 sits outside of the officials’ pathway. Individual (T&F ONLY – Has Equivalence to IAAF Level 1 TOECS) Officials - Development Officer Officials - Officials - modules of the CMA can be taken as Continued Coordinator Development Officer Coordinator Professional Development Official’s Level 3 Level 3 Midlands and North London South South Development West 4 Regional Groups - Officials’ Commission Officer South, North, Official’s Level 2 Level 2 Discipline Peer Groups (Volunteer) West and East Cofsecs Cofsecs Cofsecs Cofsecs Official’s Level 1 Course Level 1 Assistant Official’s course 4 www.britishathletics.org.uk 5 MAKE IT OFFICIAL: OFFICIALS STRATEGY - 6 KEY PRIORITIES GOVERNANCE RECRUITMENT & RETENTION 23/03/1983 Nike, Beaverton Mogadishu, Somalia Alberto Salazar Creating the platform for officiating excellence Portland, USA Pace Sports The Officials Workforce of the Future Oregon Project, Newham Management UKA governs the structure that supports officials’ activity from grassroots through & Essex Beagles Nike We will recruit more officials to our sport, retaining, rewarding and respecting their increasing knowledge and experience. to global events. Priorities: Operating priorities: 1. HCAF’s to recruit volunteers to train to become officials 1. Agree roles and responsibilities between UKA and the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAF’s) 2. Develop quality officials’ courses utilising new technology 2. UKA monitor the implementation of the plan 3. Raise the profile of athletics officiating with a clear and visible link to the official’s pathway andogression pr routes 3. Implement robust reporting systems across UKA and HCAF’s with agreed targets, measurement 4. Develop an Official’s Recognition Programme to include a regular and well established and well regarded awards and achievements programme for officials from National through to local and long service awards 4. Staff, structure and esourcer support to implement four year plan at UK and Home Country level 5. HCAF’s to establish 2-way connection to clubs and tracking of progress of volunteers 5. Support the Home Country and County Officials’ Secretaries Forum. 6. HCAF’s to provide the workforce to enable development of officials through the pathway. COMPETITION DEVELOPMENT Overseeing, improving and resourcing the competition structure Invest in the resource of knowledge and experience UKA licensed officials will deliver excellence in and around athletics events,