Race officers, measurers, equipment auditors, judges and umpires are the backbone of any organisational chart for running an event. Whether it be Match Racing or a casual fleet race, the people filling these roles hold specific positions in the hierarchy responsible for its delivery. It is clearly in the organising authority’s interest to make sure they’ve got what it takes, and ‘what it takes’ varies from club to club.

Some clubs, indeed, most clubs in Australia just need to run racing a couple of times a week and maybe have a redress or protest hearing a couple of times a year. This type of club should get its people to do Australian Sailing’s online courses. These courses teach the basics and allow officials to run racing that is safe, fair and efficient. The courses on offer are:

The club could even make a night of it. Invite interested members to come down with their laptops, have one of your world famous chicken schnitties or a burnt sausage on the BBQ, and do the online courses together, there and then. Not only are race officials trained up, but it becomes an excellent member engagement exercise.

At the other end of the scale are the clubs who regularly seek to host World Championships. And there are quite a few of these in Australia. These clubs and the interested classes have very different needs. The race officers, judges and measurers need to be top level officials with global credibility, no buts. How does your club get them there?

First, walk before you run. The first step is developing your people to become nationally recognised. Do this by having them attend Australian Sailing’s national level seminars for the classroom element, help them get experience at state and national championship events for hands on experience, and encourage them to find a mentor for that guiding voice. The large number of clubs who look to host state and national championships really should get their people to this stage of development. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen if the right support is in place.

The clubs in Australia who are organising authorities for World Championships are really starting to elevate talent. This could be one or two people and helping them reach the top. The same model applies: Do this by having them attend World Sailing clinics and seminars for the theory, help them get experience at World Championship and other international events for essential experience, and again, encourage them to find a mentor for that guiding voice.

The international pathway takes time. No different to a sailor who wants to be competitive internationally, it takes coaching and application over years to get there, but they can get there with your support.

Ultimately, this benefits your club. Your club will build capacity, will be more attractive to classes needing hosts, and your volunteer base will be more engaged and will grow.

For Australian Sailing’s online learning centre, click here and log in.
More about becoming a race official is here.
Information from World Sailing on officiating is here.

By Glen Stanaway