Sports Official

Tasks & duties

Sports officials may so some or all of the following:

• referee or umpire sports competitions or games
• work as a timekeeper for competitions and races
• judge and award points in sports competitions
• check and adjust sports equipment and ground markings
• start races and competitions
• make sure sportspeople know and follow the rules
• research and study sportspeople and teams in preparation for future engagements
• attend meetings with teams and their coaches
• attend after-match functions

Specialisations

Sports officials usually specialise in a particular sport or event including basketball, rugby, golf, netball, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and marathons or triathlons.

Skills & knowledge

Sports officials need to have a detailed knowledge of the rules and regulations of their particular sport or event. They also need to know about safety rules and methods, and basic maths. Sports officials need to have excellent communication skills for managing players, coaches, other officials and spectators, and good decision-making ability.

Entry requirements

To become a sports official you need to have a good knowledge of your sport, as most organisations require you to pass theory exams and practical tests before they hire you.

Training on the job

Sports officials attend introductory and ongoing educational courses and workshops to obtain the required knowledge to fulfil their role.

Training requirements for officials vary depending on the sport. Some sports have specific training, which covers subjects such as the rules of the sport, first aid and player management. Professional rugby referees are given a written assessment on every game they referee.

For more information on training contact the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Industry Training Organisation.

Useful experience

Useful experience for sports officials includes amateur refereeing, teaching experience, or work in sports administration. Participating in sports and coaching is also useful.

For more information, please refer to Career Services.