For National Volunteer Week 2021 Australian Sailing is putting the spotlight on officiating.

Officiating is a fun way to volunteer and contribute to the fair and safe running of sailing competition. 

The Benefits Of Accredited Officials

Australian Sailing has a National Officiating Program, which includes the following officiating roles:

• Race Officers – manage regattas & administer racing by setting courses.
• Judges – apply the rules on water for fleet racing and onshore by resolving protest hearings & appeals.
• Umpires – provide on-water decisions for Teams and Match Racing where infringements incur instant penalties.
• Measurers – check to make sure sailing equipment is within the class or rating rules.
• Equipment Auditors – ensure all safety equipment is compliant for racing categories.

The National Officiating Program courses and seminars in all the officiating roles are structured and have content that is relevant to each role and in compliance with the Racing Rules of Sailing. All Australian Sailing accredited Officials will have completed one or more of these courses and seminars at various levels. 

As a starting point, Race Officials deliver our sport of sailing and ensure that it is fair and within the governing rules of our sport. Having a clear and consistent understanding of this will assist clubs to deliver the best possible race management and can support membership growth and membership retention.

There are many benefits for being an accredited Official and for a Club having them.

Clubs & Classes

Clubs and classes can be assured knowing that by using Australian Sailing accredited officials the required levels of competency and high-quality service delivery in race management are being provided.  The education of sailing members is an important factor, so it is equally important that employees or volunteers are equipped with the knowledge to maintain levels of consistency, fairness & safety in the delivery of their role.  Having ‘ín-house’ officials can mean that there is a reduction of costs because there is less need for outsourcing officials and paying for their travel and/or accommodation expenses.  With accredited officials on board, stakeholders will know that the Club meets racing requirements and has a good reputation for service delivery in officiating, and this will help gain hosting rights for race events.  Providing a good environment, events and membership opportunities for officials will lead to retention of volunteers.

Individuals

Whether the Official’s role is as a Race Officer, Judge, Umpire or Measurer, officiating is an excellent way of being or continuing to be involved in the sport.  It is good to bear in mind that without these roles racing could not occur. The officiating role can be considered as a pathway for an individual’s personal development as there are steps that can be taken through the levels, starting at Club level and all the way to International level.  Moving through the levels is a matter of gaining experience, information, and education.  Officiating is a great way for an individual who wants to be involved in the sport, has an interest in providing services to others and enjoys/understands fairness and consistency.  Having a National system reinforces consistency and adherence to the rules.  Officials also have the benefit of belonging to a group of like-minded people with similar interests and can take opportunities to travel. Belonging to a group also means that there is a feeling of community within the club’s membership and the security of knowing there is plenty of support and good insurance cover for on water activities.

Australian Sailing can help by providing training for volunteers, employees, and sailors, arranging appeals committees and seminars, or just providing advice to clubs and classes.

If you or your club would like to know more about accredited race officials please contact your Australian Sailing Club Services Officer or Regional Manager. AS Contacts.

Links

2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing ‘Blue Book’ with Australian Sailing Prescriptions

Race Officials Training Information

Find an accredited Race Official