Current Position in Respect of Upgrading, Education & Governance of Officials
The current position of UKA in regards to Upgrading, Education & Governance of Officials is now avaliable....View Report
UK Athletics Officials Conference 2008
The UK Athletics 5th Officials' Conference took place at the Heart of England Conference Centre, Fillongley, Coventry on Sunday 20th April 2008. The title of this years conference was 'Preparing for 2012: Learning from Olympic and Paralympic Experiences'
This years conference attracted over 250 registrations which led us to increase the number of delegates from 200 to 230.
UK Athletics Chief Executive Niels de Vos opened the conference with the Welcoming Address and outlined UK Athletics' committment to Officials.
Xavier Gonzalex, Chief Executive Officer of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) then gave an interesting presentation titled 'Technical Delivery of a Paralympic Event', outlining his role within the IPC and explaining how the International Paralympic Commmittee delivers across 9 different sports.
Workshop session one enabled the delegates to split into 5 different workshop groups; Disability officiating (Field), Technical Information Centre, Final Call, Mentoring and Assessment.
Dr. Moira Gallaghers' presentation 'Officials Developement' outlined the new officials education structure and detailed the officials' pathway.
John Trower (Coach to Olympic Athletes) led the Guest speaker session after lunch detailing experiences at an Olympic event through the eyes of a coach and providing a useful insight into how coaches' and officials could learn from one another.
Drawing on his years of experience as a coach and having observed the interaction between coaches, athletes and officials he urged the gathering to ensure there was consistency across the board. With 2012 approaching at speed, Trower encouraged the delegates to ensure that there was a synergy between GB athletes and GB officials at the London Games - not, of course, to gain an unfair advantage - but to ensure every aspect of an athletes preparation in the moments leading up to and during an event are respected.
GB Olympic athlete, Jason Gardener provided the delegates with a privileged insight into his personal experiences at the Olympic Games.
Workshop session 2 enabled a second delivery of the workshop sessions with delegates able to attend a different workshop to the first.
UK Athletics would like to extend their thanks to the Guest Speakers for taking time from their busy schedules to attend the conference and to the volunteer workshop leaders for writing and delivering the various workshops.
Presentations for all Guest speakers and workshops can be downloaded from the Conference 2008 page of the website.
Cessation of transfer from Grades to Levels
The transfer from grades to levels has ceased. If you wish to discuss this further please contact Paula Gowing, Senior Co-ordinator - Officials Development at UK Athletics by email pgowing@ukathletics.org.uk or telephone 0121 713 8407.
Current Position in Respect of Upgrading Education and Governance of Officials
Over the past year changes have occurred in the Governance, Regulation and Education of Officials and these are outlined in the Education and Training Section.
Further Update on Selection & Records of Officials within England
England Athletics at their Council meeting held on Friday 14 December 2007 made certain decisions regarding the selection and records of Officials within England. These decisions are available at England Update.