Top tips to progress as a technical official

Moira Gallagher is the Tri Regional Officials’ Group (TROG) upgrading secretary for the North. She's a very experienced technical official, having initially qualified as a timekeeper and track official in the early 1970s, and was Meeting Manager at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Moira's first national track referee appointment was at the Women's AAA championships at Crystal Palace in 1978 - and she has the photo to prove it!

Tri-region upgrading secretaries are experienced officials operating at the highest levels of the sport within England and the UK and form a link between the counties and the respective tri-regions (Northern Group, Midlands and South West, and Southern Group). They have an important role in coordinating and supporting officials working towards Levels 3 and 4 across all disciplines.

Moira's top tips

Moira details below some advice to officials thinking about or are in the process of progressing to Level 3 or 4.

Don't rush

Take your time and don’t try to rush through the levels as a tick box exercise. Build up your experience by learning from more experienced officials through watching, working alongside and asking questions.

There are minimum requirements, but you are likely to develop into a more competent official if you gain additional experience before trying to progress, particularly at Levels 3 and 4.

Realistically appraise yourself

As early as possible start using the record of experience forms to detail the duties carried out but more importantly what you have learnt from that event. You need to be able to realistically appraise your own performance in order to develop as an official.

"None of us knows everything and at any level we can still make mistakes and feel that we could have done things better! However, don’t forget to also record the things that have gone well."

Liaise with your upgrading secretary

If you are aiming to progress from Level 3 to Level 4 it is essential that you liaise with your TROG upgrading secretary so that they can make other senior officials in your area aware of this and can help and advise you regarding appropriate meetings at which to seek reports.

If by this stage you do not have a mentor they will be able to help to put you in touch with appropriate people. They will also monitor your progress and in some cases suggest spending more time gaining experience before looking for further reports.

Get experience working in other roles

In order to develop as an official, working in the ancillary (non-technical) roles at some events can really help to widen your knowledge. Opportunities tend to be made available at England championships mostly to Level 3 and 4 officials to fill roles such as call room judge, athletes steward or results runners.  If these roles are not carried out well the whole meeting suffers as they are all absolutely essential.

"I would urge all officials to take advantage of these opportunities - especially for anyone progressing through the pathway - as they can be an excellent introduction to higher level meetings and those who perform well and are reliable become known to meeting organisers."

All officials should be doing their best to ensure that every athletics meeting is safe, fair and enjoyable for all concerned.

"As an official I hope that you will enjoy your involvement in the sport!"