Young Officials

About this programme:

Competitive sport cannot exist without match officials. They’re the people who make it happen but are often forgotten about.

Since September 2007, our Young Officials programme has driven the development of officiating for young people in partnership with 16 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGB), training and deploying over 4,000 young people in local and school competition.

This programme is designed to challenge and support these National Governing Bodies to establish a structure, which had previously been lacking, for the development of Young Officials throughout England and embed opportunities for young volunteers. Young full-time volunteers lead the project working within their chosen NGB to act as a role model to inspire and support other young people.

Target audience:

14 to 19 year olds

Issues that this programme tackles:

It offers a defined role for young volunteers to become sports officials and provides a local skilled workforce for School Sport Partnerships to utilise. It also encourages young people to build confidence, problem solving, communication and decision making skills.

How is the programme accessed?

All School Sport Partnerships are able to access this programme by contacting the Young Official Development Officer (YODO) directly.

Further information:

Young Official information sheet

Click here to download two case study examples of Young Officials at work

Click here to view a case study example of the development and deployment of Young Officials

Contact:

If you work in a School Sport Partnership contact the YODOs directly: 

For general enquiries about this programme, contact:

Scott Clarke, Project Support Assistant
T: 01509 226673
E: scott.clarke@youthsporttrust.org

The Young Officials Project is supported by: