Having a go at officials is second nature to many Australians, but increasingly this practise is becoming more abusive and violent. Verbal and physical abuse of volunteer officials occurs every weekend from junior to senior levels at ovals, courts and other Local Government sporting facilities across the country. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is hosting a national series of innovative high profile forums to tackle the issue of abuse of officials in Australian sport.
The Fair Go For Officials forums are enabling the ASC to tap into the extensive experience of Australian sporting communities to devise firm strategies to deal with abusive spectators, coaches and players, improve accuracy in officiating decisions, and uncover best practice models for sporting clubs and organisations to access. Information gathered at the forums will be posted on the Play by the Rules and ASC websites after September’s final forum.
Harassment is driving many officials out of sport and discouraging others from taking up officiating roles. The vast majority of officials in Australian sport are volunteers. They provide the backbone of Australia’s sports system from club to elite level and need to be encouraged to continue, just as we need to encourage others to become involved. The Fair Go For Officials forums are the first step in an integrated approach to stamping out harassment of officials.
The ASC has developed other resources and services available for use by Councils and sporting organisations to help ensure sport is accessible, safe and fun for all Australians. If you would like more information on the National Officiating Accreditation Scheme and the Officials’ Code of Conduct, Play by the Rules, Harassment Free Sport, Pregnancy in Sport, Disability Education, Indigenous Sport, Junior Sport or Women in Sport programs, visit the ASC’s Active Australia website at www.activeaustralia.org They each provide a great starting point for Local Government authorities that want to promote fair play and ethical behaviours in their local sporting associations and clubs.
For more information on the Fair Go For Officials forums, go to www.officiatingaus.org/fgforums.htm
