Australia’s future elite sports officials have been inducted into the National Officiating Scholarship Program (NOSP) at the 2009 orientation and professional development camp hosted on the Gold Coast in February.

Twenty scholarship holders from nine sports were recently announced by the Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis. Financial assistance of up to $10,000 has been provided through each official’s national sporting organisation for them to upgrade, update and professionally develop their skills in officiating.

The 2009 scholarship holders include some of Australia’s leading sports officials, including Shannon Walding from Tennis who was the 2009 Australian Open Mixed Doubles centre umpire, former Australian cricket player Paul Reiffel who umpired his first One Day International in Australia earlier in 2009 and some of Australia’s best up and coming Netball and AFL umpires.

This year’s camp included personalised sessions with leading specialists in a number of key areas including, psychology with Michael Lloyd, recovery with Angie Calder, nutrition with Sally Anderson, sports vision by Pat Gerry, and sports media with Sharon Phillips. All of these experts bring extensive knowledge to the program.

A key component of the scholarship program is mentoring for the officials. A number of recognised and respected officials attended the camp to provide their guidance. These mentors included AFL umpire Brett Allen (head coach of the AFL Umpires Academy), current AFL umpire Brett Rosebury, A League Football referee Matthew Cream, netball umpires Helen George and Rachel Ayre, swimming’s John Keppie and Rugby Union World Cup referee Scott Young. These mentors will work with the scholarship officials throughout the year to assist their development.

The mentors combined with expert presenters to provide an extensive program over the three days. Australian Defence Force instructor Craig Kingston talked about how the defence forces develop decision making skills and how this can be applied in sport. Rugby League refereeing great Mick Stone offered some tips for officials and mentors on how to operate their program, the AIS’s Lyndell Bruce provided extensive knowledge on decision making, and legendary basketball referee Bill Mildenhall provided insight behind what is required to be an official at the highest level.

The camp is the first stage of the program which aims to prepare officials for the scholarship year.