Judge

Judge Program

Click on one of the sections below to be taken to the related content.

• Overview
• The Judge Policy
• Accreditation & Re-Accreditation Requirements
• Application Forms
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Judge Resources

OVERVIEW

At the core of sailing competition is the Racing Rules of Sailing which all participants abide by. The Judges role is to offer a range of services (related to these rules) to competitors and organising authorities. These including the hearing of protests and requests for redress, appeals, equipment compliance, and on-water judging (watching for rule infringements).

In line with the Judge Accreditation Policy, Australian Sailing provides courses with a structured approach to learning which covers the correct procedures to conduct club level arbitration through to complex protests and appeals for Championship racing.

• The Protest Committee Member online course is aimed at educating Australian Sailing members in the basics to conduct consistent procedure, fair protest hearings at a club level. This entry level course equips new Judges to be members of a club and regatta level Protest Committee and be a valued member who can contribute to protest hearings at local sailing events.
• The Regional Judge course is a face-to-face* seminar aimed at developing individuals to Chair a Protest Committee at club and local regatta racing. Regional Judges also conduct arbitration at fleet racing events and consult with organisers and race officers ahead of club level events to review race documents and procedures.
• The National Judge course is a face-to-face* seminar aimed at developing individuals to Chair a Jury and handle complex protests, contribute to appeals and cases for Championship Racing. National Judges also conduct arbitration hearings and may partake in on-water judging at fleet racing events. National Judges will also consult with organisers and race officers ahead of Championship events to review race documents and procedures.

Click on any of the courses below to find one near you:

THE JUDGE POLICY

The Australian Sailing National Officiating Program (NOP) has successfully provided education, training, and assessment for accreditation over the past twenty years. The program is consistently reviewed and updated to remain current and relevant.

The policy document outlines a clear pathway for accreditation as well as the skills, knowledge and judgment expected from an Australian Sailing accredited Judge.

Important aspects to consider to advance the development of officials and aid accreditation:

• It will be important for Clubs, OA’s, Race Committees and senior Officials to provide development opportunities for Protest Committee Members and Regional Judges to advance and enhance their level of experience at events.
• Because there are no regulations on using qualified officials up to state-level competition this mens that qualified Protest Committee Members and Regional Judges can obtain practice at club and local regattas if they wish to gain experience or a practical assessments for accreditation.
• To gain club and local appointments, Protest Committee Members and Regional Judges should be in contact with Club representatives (Race Committee Chair, Sailing Secretary or Sailing Manager).

ACCREDITATION & RE-ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS

An Australian Sailing Officials appointment begins on the date approval is granted by Australian Sailing. The duration of appointment shall be not more than four years from the date approval is granted.

It is recommended that you check the specific requirements in the Judge Policy and related documentation that can be found in the Judge Resources page.

Note: To submit any accreditation and/or re-accreditation documents to Australian Sailing please click on the application form links listed below under 'Application Forms'.

APPLICATION FORMS

Note that Accreditation is to be used by candidates that are not already qualified at the level (e.g. Regional Judges accredit for the National Judge qualification). Re-Accreditation instead is to be used by already qualified Judges that want to extend the same level of qualification they have (e.g. Regional Judges re-accredit for the Regional Judge qualification).

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)

There are many ways a Judge can show evidence of the competencies held prior to accreditation. Some examples of evidence that can be provided to demonstrate competencies include:

• Resume of your experience.
• Reports from other Australian Sailing recognised Officials.
• Evidence of home/self-directed study that may include a list of recent readings, synopsis of seminars attended, reports of own research/analysis undertaken.
• Relevant work examples e.g. training programs, videos of your officiating.
• Copies of Certificates, qualifications achieved from other courses, school or tertiary results.
• Statements outlining courses and/or study that you have undertaken and the learning outcomes/competencies achieved from these

To apply for RPL please email a letter of request for RPL and any supporting documentation to Officials@sailing.org.au. All request will be responded to within 14 days.

JUDGE RESOURCES

All Judge Resources can be found HERE. Example of documents include:

• Judge Policy
• Regional and National Presentation
• Regional and National Practical Assessment
• Racing Rules of Sailing ‘Blue Book’