Yasmin Al-Daftary: New opportunities unlocked through officiating
Officials are key to ensuring competitions go ahead and athletes have a great experience. At the recent West Midlands Regional Volunteer Awards we caught up with Yasmin Al-Daftary, who won an Inspiring Official award, on her officiating career so far and hopes for the future.
How did you get into officiating?
Yasmin was never involved in athletics as a child, but her desire to help drew her to the sport. Since then, she’s completed lots of officiating qualifications and primarily volunteers at competitions as a starter and starter’s assistant.
“About 18 years ago I was asked to go and rake a sandpit, I walked through the middle of the field and people shouted at me, which I’ve since realised probably wasn't the best thing to do. It was really born out of just wanting to help competition. And that was my driving force, just making sure that a competition can go ahead for the athletes.”
What’s a standout moment in your officiating career?
Over the last 18 years, Yasmin has had the opportunity to travel across the country and work with lots of different people. Her highlight, however, comes back to her spiritual home in Birmingham.
“At the Commonwealth Games in 2022 I was working in the call room. Birmingham is like my spiritual home. I came here at three as a refugee and I was put up in Birmingham with my family and it just meant everything being at the Commonwealth Games. I wouldn't have been there if I hadn't been an official. So, just being part of it, seeing Birmingham all dressed up, it was a really, really big thing.”
What does it mean to be recognised with a Regional Volunteer Award?
Whilst volunteers do not give their time and commitment to receive recognition, Yasmin explained how much this Inspiring Official award means to her.
“I jokingly said, I might have sweaty eyes, but it really has blown me away. My motivation is trying to get people to come and enjoy it. I love working with different people, that's the driving force and being recognised for that is everything to me, really.”
What do you see the future of officiating looking like?
To secure the future of officiating, it is important to reach out to people who may be completely new to the sport, or just new to officiating, and show them what it looks like to be an official. Yasmin has been part of an outreach programme in local schools and colleges looking to encourage enthusiastic people to give it a go.
“We want to showcase how much fun officiating is and get them to places like Birchfield Harriers events in the West Midlands. The National Relay Championships were really exciting, and the atmosphere was fantastic. So, for me, it's getting somebody to come along to a really good day because they never forget that.
“I'm hopeful that we can engage lots of young people and we need longevity. So, it's not just about getting people at school coming in because then they'll go off and have work and families. But we need people coming back to the sport later on as well and giving up some of that time. I feel very positive that we're doing that.
“I feel that England Athletics have really set a stake in the ground with progression for officials and recognition of officials. So it is a positive atmosphere to be in. Whatever age, somebody who comes along first time, I think they're having a much better experience and that is being driven really by England Athletics.”
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