Officials program is tops!
A ‘green’ approach to officiating is resulting in a growing respect for officials and the vital role they play in sport and recreation.
02 February 2010
Launched in 2006 by the Department of Sport and Recreation, the Green Shirt Program aims to reduce the incidence of abuse and harassment directed towards inexperienced officials, and as a result, increase retention rates at the grass roots level of sport.
Netball WA and Warwick Senior High School are among the many associations and schools that have recorded a positive change since implementing the program.
“Netball WA has been utilising the Green Shirt Program from 2007 with very successful results,” said Netball WA Umpire Development Officer Justine Carpenter.
“In 2007, seven associations were invited to participate with results already showing by 2008. The program expanded to 11 associations participating throughout 2008 and by 2009, 16 associations – nine metro and seven country associations – were participating.”
Ms Carpenter said the Green Shirt Program had proven an invaluable tool in encouraging officials to take part and ‘have a go’ in a safe and nurturing environment.
“Many associations participating have commented on the reductions in the number of complaints made against new, beginner officials and on how many officials – the majority young girls – are enthusiastic in continuing their umpiring beyond this program,” she said.
“2010 looks set to be an exciting year for our Green Shirt Program within the sport of netball with registered interest by 19 associations to take part throughout 2010.”
However it is not only state level sporting associations benefiting from the program, Warwick Senior High School umpires also wear their green shirts with pride.
The school has been working with Netball WA towards getting all of its players qualified as umpires during Year 9, and teacher Jill Burns says the Green Shirt Program had tied in well with this.
“Not only are (the umpires) proud to wear (the green shirt), it gives them confidence,” Ms Burns said.
“The umpires wear the shirts with pride as they are only given to them when they have completed a certain amount of training.
“They go out into the primary schools to umpire carnivals as well as umpire younger teams in carnivals, (and) when we have international teams come to play against us – mainly Singaporean – we supply all the umpires.”
Kirstie Morrison, a former school netball captain, is among the school’s success stories.
“(Kirstie) has been accepted into university and is working at night earning very good money umpiring top level netball games at indoor recreation centres,” Ms Burns said. “She has to put in less hours at this than she would have at any other part-time work her friends may do to help pay their way through uni.”
Department of Sport and Recreation Project Officer Jonelle Burns said Football West, the Tee-ball Association of WA, Judo Federation of WA, Hockey WA, Melville Recreation Centre and John Forrest Senior High School were among the many other successful participants in the program.
“These sports are diverse, but the one thing they have in common is that they all need officials to ensure the game is kept fair, safe and enjoyable,” Ms Burns said.
“Respecting the role of the official, who can sometimes cop a lot of flack particularly when they are learning, is vital to keeping officials in sport.
“The Green Shirt Program is helping to ensure officials develop and continue in their role so the rest of us can reap the benefits of participating in sport.”
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.
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