The Officiating Reference Panel advises the Department of Sport and Recreation on strategies and policies to develop and support the role of sporting officials in Western Australia.

Related topics: officials

Officiating Reference Panel

Since its inception in 1994, the panel has been instrumental in delivering the recommendations from the 1994 Pavy Report (research conducted into the status of officiating in Western Australia), particularly in the areas of recruitment, education and training, retention, recognition and promotion. 

The panel consists of up to 12 members who are appointed for three-year terms and represent a wide cross section of sports, including team, individual and high and low-profile sports. 

A chairperson is selected from the panel members every three years and this person is put forward to the Director General of the Department of Sport and Recreation for endorsement. The panel meets approximately six times a year and receives administrative support from the department's officiating consultant.

Meet the panel

• Ann Ranieri - Gymnastics
• Tim Priest – Australian Rules Football (WAFC)
• Peter Anderson – Swimming
• Dean Woodhams – Combat Sports
• Brendon Hill - Touch Football
• Linley Campbell - Calisthenics
• Barry Rennie – Cricket
• Steve Muldoon – Football (Football West)
• Stephen Fox – Motor Sport (CAMS)
• Ian Mc Rae – Lacrosse
• John Murdoch - Rowing

Contact details for Officiating Reference Panel

Jonelle Burns
Project Officer - Industry Training and Development
246 Vincent Street, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
PO Box 329, LEEDERVILLE WA 6903
Telephone (08) 9492 9757
Facsimile (08) 9492 9711
Email Jonelle

Aaron Morse
Project Officer - Industry Training and Development
246 Vincent Street, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
PO Box 329, LEEDERVILLE WA 6903
Telephone (08) 9492 9758
Facsimile (08) 9492 9711
Email Aaron

Where would you like to go next?

Officials education

Training and courses facilitated by the department for officials.

National Officiating Accreditation Scheme

A national education and training system for officials at all levels and an industry recognised qualification.

Officiating scholarships

Officiating Scholarships

Coach in Residence

The Coach in Residence program is a long standing and very successful initiative that continues to contribute to the development of sport in Western Australia.

Green Shirt Program

The objective of the Green Shirt Program is to reduce the incidence of abuse and harassment directed towards inexperienced officials and, as a result, improve retention rates at the grass roots level of sport.

Tools and tips

The Department of Sport and Recreation have loads of information sheets and booklets available for coaches and officials on their website, along with links to the Australian Sports Commission website and other relevant sites.

Sports Officials Awards

The Sports Officials Awards were established in 1999 to recognise and reward an official from each sport for their outstanding contribution to sport in Western Australia.

Australian Sports Commission Officials webpage

The Australian Sports Commission offers a wide variety of training programs and resources to assist officials to develop in their role. Many of these are facilitated by the Department of Sport and Recreation. For further information on the National Official Accreditation Scheme and the Australian Sports Commission please check their website.

Presenter, Assessor and Mentor Training

Workshops and Other Events

Local Sporting Champions Program - Juniors

The Local Sporting Champions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance for juniors towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching or officiating at an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national competition.