MYAs Supported to Train All Race Officials
On August 5th the sport of sailing in Australia made an extraordinary achievement after six years of self appraisal, review, development and collaboration to launch the revised National Officiating Program (NOP) in support of each of the sport's state and territory Member Yachting Associations (MYAs). 
'Committee Boat - As a sport we owe a huge debt of gratitude to tho people who act as Race Officials'
Sail-World.com/ AUS ©
The National Officiating Program is a Yachting Australia led initiative to set in place policies, education resources and support programs to develop Race Officials. Officials range from the ever present Race Officer who facilitates races and events, the often feared and misunderstood Judge who handles protests, the rarely seen Measurer who is always willing to assist with class compliance and the supposedly vision impaired Umpire who surely 'must be blind!'
As a sport we owe a huge debt of gratitude to tho people who act as Race Officials.
Race Officials volunteer their time so that the racing sailor can enjoy each competition they enter. Often this effort as a Race Official requires significant expertise and many long days, but Yachting Australia has found it brings these same tireless workers a great sense of contribution, reward, and most importantly enjoyment.
As a sport we need to further invest in these people and the structure that develops them.
In looking to make this investment Yachting Australia commissioned the National Officiating Program Review which seriously examined practices, policies and programs and made a far reaching series of recommendations to Yachting Australia an the MYAs.
On August 5th Yachting Australia achieved significant progress by rolling out the revised policies and education resources to each of the 8 MYAs. Those interested can go to the officials section of the Yachting Australia website for an overview and details on NOP policies.
This delivery of the program to the MYAs in itself represents probably the most significant change. The ownership of ongoing development and administration of Race Officials lies with the MYAs and is supported by Yachting Australia. This is important because it means that the Sport Administrators who liaise directly with the clubs and members are empowered and provided with resources to assist those clubs and members directly.
Each MYA now has the resources to provide support to the development of any Race Official; Judge, Measurer, Race Officer or Umpire from Club level through to National level.
With an identical set of education resources including exam materials, seminar presentations and assessment protocols being given to each MYA, it not only enables each MYA to train Race Officials, but enables those people looking to become Race Officials at any level from Club to National, to be confident their training and accreditation is being handled in exactly the same way across Australia.
A Club level qualification recognises those who have attended a Yachting Australia sanctioned course or met other criteria and their continued participation in the sport is very important because it provides a platform for where the bulk of the sport is conducted:- within Clubs. To become a Club level official, the person is required to attend a seminar or be recommended by their club.
State and National qualifications are used to recognise those who have considerable officiating experience and well developed skills. Competitors will expect a high level of expertise from these Officials. To become a State or National level official the person will attend a similar seminar, sit an exam and be performance assessed.
Another important refinement in the policies defining accreditation of each level of Race Official is that no longer does an aspiring Official require sign off from a Committee or Board as the policies now provide clear direction to the sport's administration.
Full details on the policies can be found on the officials section of the Yachting Australia website
Yachting Australia encourages those people already enjoying the sport to seriously consider becoming an accredited Race Official. Not only does your sport need you, but it's actually fun.
Almost every one of those people engaged as a Race Official is seen enjoying the friendships and experiences it brings. It also is a great way to enhance your own racing skills with a greater understanding of the rules, their application and how Race Officials see things on the water.
Don't hold back. Get into it.
For further information, please contact your MYA. Contact details for each MYA can be found here www.yachting.org.au/db/mya_list.asp
www.yachting.org.au
by Glen Stanaway 
Caves Beach, NSW
