Growing the next generation of officials in Humber

Every athletics competition relies on a dedicated team of officials working behind the scenes to ensure events are delivered safely, fairly and professionally. Yet many clubs face a growing challenge: a small number of experienced volunteers are often asked to cover increasing numbers of fixtures, while fewer new officials enter and progress through the officiating pathway.

Recognising the need to create a sustainable future for the sport, clubs across the Humber region came together to address the issue through a structured mentoring and development programme designed to recruit, support and develop new officials.

The initiative demonstrates how investing in officials can strengthen clubs, improve competition delivery and create new opportunities for volunteers to contribute to athletics.

Creating a clear pathway into officiating

Launched in June 2024, the competency-based mentoring programme was designed to help parents, club volunteers, helpers and Level 1 officials gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to progress to Level 2.

Participants are supported through a structured development journey, combining practical experience at competitions with mentoring from experienced officials. Officials begin by learning core duties before progressing to more technical and safety-critical responsibilities, including event administration, electronic distance measurement (EDM), throwing events, cage safety and field positioning.

By providing clear expectations, regular feedback and hands-on learning opportunities, the programme has helped make officiating more accessible and rewarding for people who may never have considered it before.

The impact so far

The programme has delivered significant results in just over two years:

Programme reach since June 2024

• 222 competency reports completed
• 13 experienced officials acting as mentors
• 29 Level 1 officials and helpers supported
• 5 athletics clubs involved across the Humber region

Progression to Level 2

• 1 official progressed to Level 2 in 2024
• 3 officials achieved Level 2 in 2025
• 3 officials progressed in 2026
• 2 additional officials have completed their competencies and are considering progression
• Several more candidates have been identified for development in 2027

Why recruiting officials matters

Officials are essential to the successful delivery of athletics competitions. Without them, clubs can struggle to meet competition requirements, host events or support athletes effectively.

By encouraging volunteers, parents and club members to become qualified officials, clubs can:

• Reduce pressure on existing volunteers
• Improve resilience and succession planning
• Increase their capacity to host and support competitions
• Provide valuable volunteering opportunities for members
• Develop stronger relationships between athletes, parents and the wider club community
• Help ensure the long-term sustainability of athletics competitions

Importantly, officiating offers a rewarding way to stay involved in the sport. Many participants in the programme reported that mentoring and structured development transformed officiating from simply helping at events into a meaningful personal development journey.

Building a culture of support

One of the programme's greatest successes has been creating a culture where experienced officials actively support, encourage and develop the next generation.

Rather than replying on volunteers to learn through trial and error, new officials are given the guidance and confidence they need to progress safely and effectively. This approach has not only increased the number of qualified officials but has also strengthened the collaboration between clubs across the region.

Looking ahead

What started as a response to a local officiating challenge has become a successful model for official development across Humber athletics.

The programme continues to focus on a simple objective: educating, supporting and developing competent, confident officials who can help deliver high-quality competitions for years to come.

For clubs looking to strengthen their volunteer workforce, this example shows the value of investing in officials. By creating clear pathways, offering mentoring and encouraging volunteers to take the next step, clubs can build a sustainable future for the sport while providing rewarding opportunities for their members.

Interested in developing officials within your club? Discover how our officiating qualifications can help volunteers gain the skills and confidence to make a lasting impact on the sport.