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Official's Qualifications

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From entry point to world-level officiating, Officials follow a similar pathway to those enjoyed by athletes and coaches. Welsh Athletics offer courses and development opportunities to progress through the first three levels. In 2020, we launched the Welsh Athletics Officials Reward Scheme to acknowledge both the commitment and progression that is shown by our volunteer officials each year. 

From the 1st July 2022, all Officials will be required to complete the safeguarding course at the point of re-licencing. If you have already completed the Safeguarding in Athletics module as a coach/leader or as part of another volunteer role in athletics then there is not the requirement to complete it again until your licence is due for renewal.

To become a graded UKA Assistant Official, Level 1 for Technical Officials (Track and Field) Licensed Official follow the steps below:

  1. Book onto Welsh Athletics Official course by booking online via Athletics Hub.
  2. You will receive a confirmation email which includes your URN/WA number.
  3. Use your URN number to log on to your myATHLETICS portal.  Accept Welsh Athletics Officiating T&Cs and Code of Conduct. 
  4. Complete the online DBS procedure and upload a passport photo.
  5. Attend either an UKA Level 1 course Technical Officials in a specific discipline; Track Judge, Timekeeper, Field Judge, Starter / Starter's Assistant, Photo Finish, Race Walking.
  6. Complete the free online UKA Health and Safety course.
  7. Complete the online UKA Safeguarding course. 
  8. Officiate at 4 varying* athletics meetings and record in your accreditation form
  9. Email your accreditation form to officials@welshathletics.org for grading in order to receive for UKA Level 1 License.

 *Level 1 Field Officials will need to experience 1 horizontal jump, 1 vertical jump, 1 shot and 1 long throw. Starter/Starter's Assistant will need 4 experiences in each discipline. Assistant Official will need 2 competition experiences.

To become a UKA Level 1 Endurance Licensed Official follow the steps below:

  1. Book onto Welsh Athletics Risk Awareness module & Level 1 Endurance Official course by booking online via Athletics Hub.
  2. You will receive a confirmation email which includes your URN/WA number.
  3. Use your URN number to log on to your myATHLETICS portal. Accept Welsh Athletics Officiating T&Cs and Code of Conduct.
  4. Complete the online DBS procedure and upload a passport photo.
  5. Attend Risk Awareness module.
  6. Attend Level 1 Endurance Official course. 
  7. Complete the online Safeguarding course. 
  8. Attend 4 varying* competition experiences and record in your accreditation form. 
  9. Email your accreditation form to officials@welshathletics.org for grading in order to receive for UKA Level 1 License.

*Any 4 from the following experiences will be accepted on an Endurance Officials Record of Experience sheet to attain a level 1 licence. No more than two of the same type of experience should feature. Three differing experiences should be achieved as a minimum:

Pre-Race Registration Duties
Assisting with the setting out a start / finish area pre-race
Start Line assisting / assembling Athletes
Course Marshalling
Marshalling Crossing Points
Marshalling at Road Junctions
Assisting with the judging / recording at a race finish or equivalent
Stewarding / Marshalling at finish or operating a finishing funnel
Timekeeper Recording

Are you interested in attending a Level 1 course Officials course?  Please email officials@welshathletics.org   

For more information on the official qualifications please see below.

The Assistant Official course is a basic introduction into key areas of officiating, this will enable you to assist at track and field meetings under the supervision of a qualified UKA Technical Official.

Course details

Duration: 2-3 hours

Content:

  • The responsibilities and role of an Assistant Official
  • Measuring and recording times and distance
  • Making, sharing and recording judgements
  • Ensuring safety and reporting concerns
  • Communicating with athletes and other officials
  • Following procedures and applying basic rules

For upcoming course dates click here.

Once you have attended the course and gained experience at two athletics meetings email your application form to officials@welshathletics.org

If you would like your club to host an official course please contact Zoe Holloway for more information.

Successful completion of the Level 1 Award for Technical Officials (Track and Field) will enable individuals to work with other qualified UKA Technical Officials in a specific discipline; Track Judge, Timekeeper, Field Judge, Starter / Starter's Assistant, Photo finish, Race Walking.

Course details

Duration: 2-4 hours

Content:

By attending the course candidates will have a knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

  • Knowledge and application of rules relevant to the role specific to discipline
  • Ability to follow duty sheet
  • Relationships with other officials
  • Relationships with athletes
  • Health and Safety
  • Appropriate attire/equipment

All of the modules are interactive and they are designed to help officials apply new knowledge and skills in practice, either through workshops and discussion, or through practical drills.

You are required to complete the online Health and Safety module as part of Level 1 Award for Technical Officials (Track and Field). You can take the module at your own pace and leave to return later if required. The module has multiple-choice quizzes after each section; the first section covers generic health and safety and the second focuses on Health and Safety within each of the disciplines. You will need to score 70% across all sections to pass.

To book onto the free online Health and Safety module. 

For upcoming level 1 course dates click here.

If you are interested in attending a Level 1 course Officials course or if you would like your club to host a level 1 official course please contact Zoe Holloway for more information.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Content:

Following attendance on the Level 1 - Endurance Officials course candidates will have knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

  • How endurance officials operate at road and cross-country races
  • The requisite skills to be an endurance official
  • The key officials who operate at an endurance event and their responsibilities
  • Knowledge and application of rules
  • Risk assessment and practical considerations
  • Relationship with other officials and athletes
  • The tools to do the job
  • A working knowledge of the start, course and finish of an endurance event
  • Appropriate attire/equipment

Minimum age: 18

You are required to complete a Risk Awareness module as part of the Level 1 - Endurance Officials course.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Content:

Following attendance at this course candidates will have knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

  • Reasons for undertaking a risk assessment
  • Risk Awareness methodology and content
  • Identify hazards, risks and how to control them
  • Who is at risk from an event
  • Who is responsible for Risk Awareness and who needs to be involved
  • Appreciation of the production of a Risk Assessment document
  • Timetable for the production of a Risk Assessment
  • Practical considerations in the production of Risk Assessment

For upcoming course dates click here

If you are interested in attending a Level 1 course Officials course, please complete the survey expression of interest form. 

If you would like your club to host an official course please contact officials@welshathletics.org for more information.

This course will be returning in 2024... if you are interested in attending please email Zoe Holloway to express interest. 

The Race Directors course is the perfect opportunity for Race Directors and Event Organisers to learn more about the requirements to putting on an endurance race.

Duration: 1 day

Content: The course programme includes;

Event Venue
Relationship with Local Authority and Highways
Event Plan
Risk Assessment
Race Licensing
Other Material
Feedback/Questions

Cost: £50

Maximum attendees per course: 30 people on a first come, first serve basis

For upcoming course dates please click here.

The role of an event adjudicator is to ensure that race organisers are compliant of licencing conditions and that races are upheld to high standards of health and safety practices. This in turn, ensures that insurance regulations are maintained. An additional benefit is that the presence of an event adjudicator will allow Race Referees where appointed, to solely focus on their role of upholding the rules of competition. Event Adjudicators will also be tasked with completing a report that will allow race organisers to increase the standard of their race and the standards of events across Wales.

Event Adjudicators can be;

  • Current Endurance Official (Level 2)
  • An existing Regional Licence Officer
  • Race organiser (must not adjudicate own event)

If you are interested in becoming an Event Adjudicator, contact office@welshathletics.org

Apply to be an adjudicator at runbritain 

Event Adjudicators will be DBS checked, covered by the UKA Public Liability Insurance and issued with accreditation. Welsh Championship races will require both an Event Adjudicator and a Race Referee.

Benefits

  • Free entry to the event 
  • Mileage expenses will be reimbursed

What's involved?

The Role of an Event Adjudicator presentation (including audio Nigel Jones)

Once you have opened the PowerPoint click Enable editing, next click Slide Show, next click From Beginning then the sound will start automatically.