ASC releases new online course to help strengthen support for sports officials

The world's first course designed specifically for the people who support and develop sport officials has been unveiled by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

Supporting Officials in Practice is a free online course that aims to build a nationwide network of mentors and leaders who support aspiring sports officials to reach their potential.

Informed by the experiences and insights of practising officials, coaches, mentors and sport education professionals, the course was developed over 15 months by the ASC's Coaching and Officiating team to address a gap in how officials are supported once they move into real-life settings where their presence can help shape positive sporting experiences.

The course is made up of six modules and features examples from gymnastics, rowing, squash and touch football. Learners explore how to create positive learning environments, build connection, observe performance objectively, conduct feedback conversations and develop clear action plans.

ASC Senior Officiating Advisor Brooke Kneebush said the course reflected the growing realisation that officials need more than technical education to thrive.

"Officials make visible decisions in complex environments, often under significant pressure. Their development goes beyond formal education. They need skilled people around them who can build trust, guide reflection and provide feedback that helps them keep learning," she said.

"At present, many existing officiating pathways focus strongly on rules, technical knowledge and accreditation. While these elements remain important, officials also need practical, relational support as they apply their skills in real sporting environments."

Supporting Officials in Practice provides practical tools to help make interactions with mentors more useful and to help officials gain confidence in their skills and decision-making.

The course aligns with the emerging Officiating Action Plan, which recognises that officials develop through a combination of experience, social learning, mentoring, feedback, formal learning and accreditation.

Officiating Advisory Group Chair Katie Foulkes said the program provides sports with a nationally consistent way to strengthen their officiating workforce.

"Supporting Officials in Practice gives sports a practical and nationally consistent way to develop the people who support officials. It provides tools that can be used in real sporting environments to strengthen confidence, capability and connection," she said.

Rowing umpire coach Cate Ring, who features in the course, said having valuable conversations with mentors is central to helping officials grow.

"A strong relationship between a mentor and a mentee is about feeling comfortable to ask those difficult questions and to provide the feedback to assist with development," she said.

"This course provides practical tools and approaches that can be applied immediately to support feedback, reflection and learning in real officiating environments."

On completion of the course, learners will understand how to support officials in practice, make objective observations, provide reflective feedback and help officials plan their next steps.

The course is suitable for officials’ coaches, mentors, assessors, National and State Sporting Organisations, clubs and anyone involved in supporting officials in sporting environments.

The course is free and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

To access Supporting Officials in Practice or to find out more, visit the course page.