Since September 2007 the Young Officials’ Project has driven the development of officiating for young people in partnership with nine National Governing Bodies. Twelve new awards have been created specifically targeting 16-19 year olds, and around 1300 young people have been trained and deployed in support of competition.
The range of sports involved with the project include: UK Athletics, Badminton England, Boccia, England and Wales Cricket Board (new in 2008), British Fencing, England Gymnastics, British Judo Association, Rugby League (new in 2008), Rugby Union (new in 2008), Amateur Swimming Association, England Table Tennis Association, Lawn Tennis Association (new in 2008) and England Volleyball.
A YODO, or Young Official Development Officer is a full-time volunteer opportunity that has been offered through University and NGB links to young people who have an aspiration to drive the development of officiating for other young people. Each YODO is given a unique opportunity to work within a NGB of their choice (on application) and gain an insight into the development of sport, and initiate pathways into officiating for other young people. New YODOs are appointed year on year.
Competitive sport cannot exist without match officials; they are the people who make it happen but are often forgotten about and are usually volunteers. Structure and communication of pathways for young people to engage as officials in sport is limited and it is the vision for this project to tackle this. We hope to initiate a step change in the demographic of officiating to support a rapid growth of competitive sporting opportunities for young people. The inspirations of 2012 and 2014 for young people to be involved in sport are real incentives that need appropriate supportive pathways to allow access to the full range of opportunities available. Officiating is just one of these, but one that currently lacks distinct structure and a heightened profile!
Please contact a YODO for more sport specific information or to arrange a Young Officials course at your school. This year’s YODOs are:
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YODO |
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Gemma Werrett |
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Sandy Kurek |
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Kat Southwell |
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Cricket |
Fergus Guppy |
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Hannah Chenneour-Cocking |
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Laura Whitehead |
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Judo |
Stefan Newbury |
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Rugby League |
TBC |
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Rugby Union |
Ben Wish |
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Mark Strachan |
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Table Tennis |
Neil Raine |
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Tennis |
Lucy Grant |
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Chris Stott |
For further information please contact our Young Officials Development Manager at: louise.gruchy@youthsporttrust.org
Click here to download further information
Click here to download a Young Officials 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
Official Sports London
Official Sports London is an exciting bursary opportunity, offering you the chance to apply for funding to help you to complete a sports officiating qualification in one of 17 Olympic and Paralympic Sports. So if you’re aged 16+ and living in London, click here to find out more.
The Young Officials Project is sponsored by: supported by:
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