The Australian Sports Commission has launched a new online training course to further the training and learning of aspiring officials.

The online Introductory Officiating General Principles course is now available free to beginning officials who seek to improve their skills and abilities in key areas of people management and preparation for officiating.

Director of the Australian Sports Commission’s National Sports Programs, Greg Nance, encouraged more Australians to get into officiating and to enrol in this new online training course.

‘The Australian Sports Commission works to attract, train and retain more officials in Australian sport and is committed to supporting the education and development of officials at all levels.

‘Officials are a vital part of sporting contests and the future of Australian sport. They ensure sport is played fairly within the rules of a fun and safe setting. That is why we need to encourage volunteers to officiate to help run Australian sport,’ Nance said.

Officiating is a rich and rewarding experience that provides a chance for Australians of all ages and abilities to learn new skills and to make a difference in their sports community.

This online training course will contribute to building the confidence and competence of officials in making key decisions during competition.

‘The training course draws on the knowledge and expertise of some of Australia’s leading officials and provides a clear pathway to national accreditation,’ said Nance. ‘Aspiring officials can take the first step towards accreditation by completing this online course.’

The training course covers a number of key topics, including the ethical responsibilities of officials, safety, effective communication, managing conflict, self-preparation and developing people skills.

Officials can complete the online training course 24/7 in the comfort of their own home. The course will be especially useful for those officials in regional and rural areas who may have difficulty in accessing face-to-face courses.

For more details or to enrol in the online officiating training course, visit the Australian Sports Commission’s learning portal (https://learning.ausport.gov.au).