Track and Field pathway
Select an option below to view more information about each pathway step.
The track and field pathway can begin at Assistant Official or Level 1. Assistant Official is not a pre-requisite for Level 1.
Pathway
Track and Field pathway: Assistant Official
Attend
- Register and attend an Assistant Officials’ course (must be over 14 years of age).
Collect
- Attend a minimum of 2 athletics meetings (under supervision of a qualified level 1 or above Official). Experiences can be backdated up to 12 months prior to your Officials’ course. This is for both levels of track and field, plus Level 1 of endurance.
- Complete a DBS Check (aged 16 and over) via MyAthletics Portal; go to Apply/Renew DBS and complete short form.
– or complete a self-declaration (under 16). - Complete the health and safety self-paced online module
- Complete the safeguarding self-paced online module
Submit
- Send your record of experiences via MyAthletics Portal > Record of Experience > Export > Send by email.
- Alternatively, you can send an application form which can be found on My Athletics Portal > Useful Documents > Officials and sending this to officialsaccreditation@englandathletics.org
Track and Field pathway: Level 1
Attend
- Register and attend a Level 1 officials’ course (minimum 16 years of age).
- Once logged in, please select the drop down menu under course type. Select ‘Officials’ then search.
- Complete our health and safety self-paced online module.
- Complete our safeguarding self-paced online module.
Collect
- Officiate at a minimum of four athletics meetings (for Level 1 Starter – this must be four experiences as a starter AND four experiences as a starter’s assistant). Experiences can be backdated up to 12 months prior to your Officials course. This is for both levels of track and field, plus Level 1 of endurance.
- Complete a DBS check.
Submit
- Send your record of experiences by MyAthletics Portal > Record of Experience > Export > Send by email.
- Alternatively, you can send an application form which can be found on My Athletics Portal > Useful Documents > Officials and sending this to officialsaccreditation@englandathletics.org
Track and Field pathway: Level 2
Attend
- Complete all steps at Level 1.
- Complete Level 2 discipline-specific questions found on My Athletics Portal > Useful Documents > Officials
- Obtain one positive report (reporter must be Level 3 or above for at least two years).
Collect
- Officiate at a minimum of six additional meetings (for Level 2 Starter – this must be six experiences as a starter AND six experiences as a starter’s assistant).
- Obtain one positive report – contact your County Officials’ Secretary (COfSec) to arrange this.
- Show evidence of self reflection within Record of Experience (ROE)
Submit
- Submit Level 2 application form, completed questions, positive report, Record of Experience to your Level 1 Course Tutor. All documents can be found on My Athletics Portal > Useful Documents > Official
- If your Level 1 Course Tutor is unknown, please submit the above documents to officialsaccreditation@englandathletics.org who will send this on your behalf.
Track and Field pathway: Level 3
Attend
- Complete all steps at Level 2.
Collect
- A minimum of 10 additional meetings (for Level 2 Starter – this must be 10 experiences as a starter AND 10 experiences as a starter’s assistant).
- Two positive reports (reporter must be level 4 or a Level 3 for 2+ years).
- For track and field – one report must be as a team leader/chief judge or referee, and for level 3 track applications – this must be in the role for a full meeting.
For Level 3 Starter this must include one report as a starter and one report as a starter’s assistant. Contact your County Officials’ Secretary (COfSec) to arrange this. - Show evidence of mentoring and self reflection within Record of Experience (RoE)
Submit
- Submit your Level 3 application form, two positive reports and Record of Experience to your Tri-Regional Upgrading Secretary:
Northern: gallagherm@supanet.com
Midlands and South West: mswupgradesecy@outlook.com
Southern: sroffupsec@gmail.com
All documents can be found on My Athletics Portal > Useful Documents > Official
Track and Field pathway: Level 4
Attend
- Complete all steps at Level 3.
- Register and attend Level 4 Officials Course and technology module of chosen discipline. This is facilitated by UK Athletics.
Collect
- Include evidence of mentoring and self reflection within Record of Experience.
- Officiate at a minimum of 30 additional athletics meetings over two years (three years for photofinish).
- Obtain a minimum of six positive reports (Level 4 or above) – contact your Tri-Regional Upgrading Secretary to arrange these.
- Complete Level 4 questions and submit to Tri-Regional Upgrading Secretary by 1 September.
Submit
- Submit Level 4 application form, six positive reports and Record of Experience to Tri-Regional Secretary by 30 September.
Northern: gallagherm@supanet.com
Midlands and South West: mswupgradesecy@outlook.com
Southern: sroffupsec@gmail.com
Download the guidelines for presenting applications for Level 4.
Roles and Responsibilities of Level 1-3 officials
Level 1
- Act as a team member or judge in the respective discipline.
- Officiate under supervision of a level 2 official (where possible).
- Able to officiate on long-throws events in the area of the throws sector (Field only).
- Not able to act as a referee or equivalent (all disciplines).
- Not able to able to act as chief judge for individual field events including long-throws.
Level 2
- Act as a team member or judge in the respective discipline and as a clerk of course.
- Act as a clerk of course to prepare event sites and associated tasks thereafter.
- Act as chief judge/Leader, on field events this includes long throws.
- Act as Referee/Chief for meetings at club/league/county level e.g., chief timekeeper, chief photo-finish, field referee, chief starter, chief starters assistant or track referee
- Able to write reports for officials seeking to upgrade to level 2, after having served 2 years as a level 2 official.
- Not able to act as a referee (all disciplines) at regional level.
Level 3
- Act as a judge in the respective discipline.
- Act as referee/Chief for meetings at league/county and regional levels.
- Act as a technical manager or clerk of course at county and regional levels.
- Able to write reports for officials seeking to upgrade to level 2 or 3, after having served 2 years as a level 3 official.
County Officials’ Secretaries (Track & Field)
Your County Officials’ Secretary (COfSec) are a vital link between Officials in their county, meeting organisers and England Athletics. COfSecs provide invaluable support and guidance and form a very important relationship with officials from within their county. This includes:
- Finding events to attend to gain experience
- Advising and supporting Officials in their development including upgrading processes
- Identifying/allocating experienced mentors to support new Officials’ development
- Identify and arrange training courses that are required for clubs and counties
- Encouraging and supporting individuals attending Assistant/Level 1 Officials courses to complete the process of attaining their Officials qualification
- Maintain contact with local clubs in encouraging the recruitment and development of club members interested in becoming a Technical Official
Tri-Regional Groups
Tri-Regional Groups form a link between Officials within the multiple counties and the respective tri-regions (Northern Group, Midlands and South West Group and the Southern Group). They have an important role in coordinating and supporting officials at or working towards Levels 3 and 4 across all disciplines in England.
Tri-regional Secretary contact details:
- Northern – tronorth@gmail.com
- Midlands and Southwest – midsswsecretary@gmail.com
- Southern – elsesec2022@gmail.com
Record of Experience
Completing your Record of Experience (RoE) is an excellent way to record the experience, skills and knowledge gained at the events you have attended. It can also assist your mentor/ COfSec/ Tri-Region in supporting your development and progression.
Your Record of Experience can be accessed by logging onto MyAthletics Portal using your licence number and password. This login is the same for Athletics Hub to access course resources/ course bookings).
- Click on ‘Record of Experience’ tab (located on left-hand side)
- Add record
- Complete the relevant fields/using the drop-down menus.
- Click Save.
To download your Record of Experience:
- Click on ‘Export’ button (located top-right of the screen).
- Click ‘OK’ on the next screen.
- Select event area and event season from drop-down menus.
- Click on Export.
- Click ‘OK’ on the next screen.
- Open File and save to device. This can then be attached to any subsequent email.
Level 1 and 2 Officials – Send to your COfSec by 30 September (track/field) and 31 August (Endurance).
Level 3 and 4 Officials – Send to your tri-region secretary by 30 September (track/field) and 31 August (endurance).
For queries please contact officialsaccreditation@englandathletics.org.
Image by Mark Pain: 07774 842005 | mark@markpain.com
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