Officials

General

Officials are an important part of the BC Athletics membership. As a volunteer group, officials are responsible for judging the various events within the divisions of athletics. For track & field, officials can be divided into four main groups: field judges, track judges, timekeepers and starters. Within cross country, road running and ultra, officials act as start coordinators/assistants, starters, finish judges, time keepers and recorders. BC Athletics officials play a pivotal role in maintaining the rules of play in all athletics events.

BC Athletics officials are certified through the National Officials Committee from levels 1 t o 5, with level 1-3 being provincial level officials and levels 4-5 being national level officials. Under the U18 program members can become officials as young as 13.

Latest News

A Celebration of Life service for Alwilda van Ryswyk will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 1136 6th Avenue Kamloops, BC.  October 9th,  1:00pm to 2:30pm.  Due to COVID Restrictions attendance will be by invitation only and limited. Attendees will need to show their double vaccine passport and wear masks indoors.  Please RSVP to Len_v@shaw.ca if you would like to attend.

Offiials Committee Annual Report to the 2021 BC Athletics AGM

Officiating under COVID-19 (April 14/21)

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NOTICE TO OFFICIALS re: Officiating within current PHO - March 22, 2021

1. BC Athletics Return To Competition – Officials Guidelines - Posted July 28, 2020
2. Officiating During COVID-19 - Frequently Asked Questions. - Posted Sept 3, 2020

Renew your BC Athletics Membership for 2022!

• Unattached members renew online
• Members with affiliated clubs should join up through their club.
• sign off on your COVID Waiver
• make sure you have your Proof of Vaccination on file with your club or with the BC Athletics office if you are Unattached.

Reminder to consider upgrading your level and/or adding a new discipline.  See the Upgrading and Certification tab for more information

Opportunities for Officiating within the Club Model

The BC Athletics Officials Committee invites clubs to offer training and development opportunities to their members to become BC Athletics officials through our B.C. Officials Class of 2021 program. The first two levels in the program, provided by Athletics Canada and the National Officials Committee, can be administered within the club and includes web-based training following by hands-on experience.

This is an excellent opportunity for clubs to develop officiating resources for their club meets. Clubs are encouraged to identify a point person who can work with the Officials Committee to implement the BC Officials Class of 2021 in their Club. More information is available in the PDF at this link.

Next steps? Please contact Marilyn Benz at: m.benz@shaw.ca.

Officials' Newsletter July 27, 2021

          If you don't receive the  BCA Official's Newsletter by e-mail, you may wish to contact Carol Cull (Carolcull@telus.net) with your current e-mail address. Contact information goes out of date very quickly.

Meet Schedule - updated 4/28/21

2020 World Athletics Book of Rules (Nov 1/19)

2021 BC Athletics Officials Annual Meeting

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CAREER PATH

BCA Officials Committee

Chair: Brian Thomson

Board Representative: Jasmine Gill

Provincial Coordinators:

Upgrading Coordinator: Cheryl Elke

• Determines upgrading needs (credits and evaluations) for officials, and works with Assignments Coordinator to ensure assignments support officials development needs.
• Maintains a Provincial Officials Directory
• Processes upgrading applications
• Distributes certificates, letters etc. relating to upgrading
• Orders and distributes officials name badges
• Produces priority list for officials requiring travel for experience or evaluations.

Assignments Coordinator: Carol Cull

• Selects officials for higher level events (Championships, Games and International level events).
• Supports officials managers for other events
• approves travel between zones
• recommends officials for out of province assignments

BC Branch Officials Committee (BOC) Handbook - To be updated

BCA Officials Committee - Recruitment Training Retention Programs - Ver 1

Officials Annual Awards

As part of the recognition program for officials, BC Athletics provides 4 annual awards to Officials. The Officials Committee assists with the nomination process. The Committee may also make recommendations to BC Athletics for the Hall of Fame, and may send nominations to the National Officials Committee for the "NOC Official of the Year" and Athletics Canada "Wall of Honour". A listing of past recipients can be found via the link below.

Past Recipients

Officials must be nominated via nomination form. 

• Nomination form (Nominations will close Dec. 10, 2021)

Ian McNeil Award, Official of the Year: 

A registered, active Official who made an outstanding contribution to officiating athletics in BC The recipient has demonstrated recent excellence in consistent and fair application of the rules and participation in officiating meets at the local, regional, provincial and national level. Other activities to consider is the role the official played in developing their own skills and those of other officials (e.g., supervising officials, mentoring, evaluating, instructing) and administration of the various officiating programs used to recruit, develop and retain officials in BC. An official may be eligible to receive the award more than once, provided the interval between awarding is five years or more and subsequent awards are based on significant accomplishments and/or leadership in officiating athletics in BC. Generally, this award builds on the Mary Temple award for Novice official—picking up officials who have been officiating for more than 5 years.

About Ian McNeil:

Ian was a Scottish immigrant to Canada in 1949. Ian’s enthusiasm and sense of humour added much to all the road and cross-country races and track meets he volunteered at. His technical expertise was exceptional and of huge benefit to the Vancouver Olympic and all of track and field in BC. Ian was the Chief Timer at the first international meets held in Swangard Stadium. On a cold wet day at a race in Stanley Park, in the 1960s and 70s, Ian could always be counted on for a warm drink or a good story about growing up in “the Old Country”.
 

Ralph Coates Award, Longstanding Service:

A registered, active Official who has contributed dependable, long term and versatile service to athletics in BC. It is recommended the length of service be a minimum of 20 years and awarded to an active official. An official may only receive this award once. First awarded in 1991.

About Ralph Coates:

Ralph was a long-time member of the Richmond Kajaks in the 1970s and 80s He was a fixture at all meets at Minoru Track and could be counted on whenever and wherever help was need. Ralph officiated as an umpire at the 1978 Commonwealth in Edmonton and was a long-time starter when he retired.
 

Mary Temple Award, Novice Official:

A registered, active Official who, in his/her first 5 years, has focused substantial effort on learning to be a BC Official as well as contributed willingly and unselfishly as a beginner Official. The five-year term commences when the official registers for the pathway to Level 2 official. An official may only receive this award once. First awarded in 1995.

About Mary Temple:

Mary was a long-time member of the official’s team in the 1960s and 70s. Mary was a horizontal jumps official who took on the onerous task of officials’ coordinator in a time before computers and cell phones. Mary was incredibly encouraging and supportive of new officials. In 1974, with the 1976 Olympics (Montreal) and 1978 Commonwealth Games (Edmonton) on the near horizon, Mary placed an ad in the Vancouver Sun newspaper advertising a night school course called Olympic Appreciation. Attendees in this course were exposed to all the athletics events and were encouraged to become officials. Many did and some are still active today. Her laugh could be heard all across the stadiums.

Dave Coupland Inspirational Award:

The Dave Coupland Award is presented to a BC Athletics member who has been an inspiration for Officials. The recipient is someone who has demonstrated respect, support and encouragement for officiating in BC. This person could be an official, meet director, club member, etc. An official may be eligible to receive the award more than once, provided the interval between awarding is five years or more and subsequent awards are based on significant accomplishments and/or inspirational activities in officiating athletics in BC. First awarded in 2003.

About Dave Coupland:

Dave was a long-time member of the Vancouver Olympic Club for over 40 years. After immigrating to Canada in 1966, Davie could always be counted on to enter (he formerly competed internationally for Scotland) or help out at races. He became a highly skilled official in timing road races, marathons, cross country, and track and field and became known throughout the country. His keen interest and knowledge in timing lead to the development and building of timing boxes and overhead finish clocks.

Athletics Canada-National Officials Committee (AC-NOC) Official of the Year:

The BC Athletics Officials Committee may nominate one official from B.C. for the Athletics Canada-National Officials Committee Official of the Year. The BC Athletics Official of the Year will be considered for nomination. So will other officials in BC who have made an outstanding contribution to officiating in BC and Canada (e.g., previous BC Athletics Official of the Year). Considerations include performance; progress and expertise; development and officiating. The nominee may be selected from any level but must be a member of BC Athletics and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

Officials Expense Claims

Member officials are entitled to repayment of authorized expenses for travel to events, and for "expendables" (meet supplies). Expenses for local travel require no specific authorization.. Expenses for “out-of-Region travel are only eligible if given prior approval by the Officials Committee.  Officials must work at the event for a substantial period (at least 4-6 hours) to be eligible for repayment. Officials cannot claim travel expenses for meets in which they also intend to coach, parent and/or compete. Carpooling or sharing rides is strongly encouraged where feasible. A rationale for travelling as an individual must be provided (if other officials are travelling to the same meet).

Reimbursement rates:

Local travel                 $.30 per kilometer,  $.40 for a carpool

To another Region      $.20 per kilometer,  $.25 for a carpool

Guidelines are posted in the Committee Handbook. Some general rules for claiming expenses:

• claims will only be paid for current BC Athletics members
• claims must be on the printable form (pdf) or the  Download fillable form If you don't wish to do the form online just print it out and complete it manually..
• claims must be submitted within 30 days to John Cull for approval
• receipts must be submitted
• list specific events (meets) and any members of the car-pool
• do not claim for meals...eat whatever is provided at the event
• expenses for travel outside of your local area must be approved by the Committee Chair on behalf of the Officials Committee.

Officials funded by BCA for travel outside the Province are eligible for repayment of cost of the air travel (or equivalent cost) only.

Filling out the forms

Printable Form (PDF)

• Print the form
• Fill in the following sections(blue) by hand:
  • Personal information and address
  • Date and name of the event
  • Departure point (or indicate “home” if departing from your home address)
  • Location of the event (or name of stadium)
  • Total Kilometers
  • Ferry, tolls

The rest, (gst applicable rate etc.) will be filled in by the Officials Committee

• Attach receipts if claiming for ferry fares or tolls

• Scan and e-mail, or post to John Cull  with attachments or mail to John Cull, Expense Claim, 12691 55A Ave., Surrey, BC V3X 1W1)

Fill-in form (Excel)

• Download and save the form to your computer

• Open the form in Excel or compatible program
• Fill in the following sections (blue) :
  • Personal information and address
  • Date and name of the event
  • Departure point (or indicate “home” if departing from your home address)
  • Location of the event (or name of stadium)
  • Total Kilometers
  • Ferry, tolls

The rest, (gst applicable rate etc.) will be filled in by the Officials Committee

• Save the file and name it - Your Last Name, First Name - amount of claim - ie; Doe, Jane - $74.50
• Send the file with scans of receipts by e-mail as attachments to John Cull 

Forms

• Sport Injury / Accident Report Form
• Protest Form 2020
• 2019 Officials Awards Nomination Form Deadline September 31, 2019
• Official's Meet Expense Claim Form  (pdf) updated 3/1/18
• Official's Meet Expense Claim Form (download and computer complete) updated 3/1/18
• Officials' Travel Subsidy Program - 7/13/21
• Officials Event Record Card (UPD July 2021
• Officials Event Record Card - small bi-fold (UPD July 2021)
• Event Feedback
• Event Feedback (Online Form)
• Level 1,2,3 Upgrade
• Level 4,5 Upgrade
• Provincial Mentoring form
• National Mentoring Form - contact NOC for current form
• Workshop Procedure & Registration Form Updated 30-Apr-18
• Recognition Award Claim Form
• Annual Checklist for Officials
• Level 2 Confirmation Report (by Mentor)
• Umpire Forms - umpire report and lap scoring (Aug_21)
• Umpire Report Form non-stadia (Oct 21)

Newsletter & Meetings

BCA Officials Committee Meeting Minutes (Scroll down page to "Officials Committee)

BCA Branch Officials Newsletters:

• July 27, 2021
• June 23 2021
• une 22, 2021
• May 10, 2021
• April 23, 2021
• March 14, 2021
• February 26, 2021
• January 28, 2021
• September 30, 2020
• September 22, 2020
• August 29, 2020
• August 18, 2020
• August 3, 2020
• March 17, 2020
• January 23, 2020
• January 4, 2020
• October 7, 2019
• September 22, 2019
• August 25, 2019
• July 25 2019
• June 16 2019
• June 5, 2019
• May 13, 2019
• May 7, 2019
• April 16, 2019
• March 14, 2019
• February 26, 2019
• February 13, 2019

Officials Annual Meetings:

November 7, 2021  - 10:00am - 12:00pm (video conference

Officials Committee Meetings:

• Sunday November 28, 2021 - 10:00am - 12:00pm (video conference)
   

National Officials Committee Newsletters

• Ontrack 5.1 July 21
• Ontrack4.4 March 21
• NOC October 20
• NOC May 20
• NOC February 20
• NOC September 19
• NOC April 19
• NOC Jan 19
• On Track 2.1 August 2018
• On Track 1.2  April 2018
• On Track 1.1  10/17/17
• On Track 1.2  01/18/18

Upgrading and Certification

Officials are welcomed, and encouraged, to participate in the upgrading process. The program consists of 5 separate levels, with specific requirements for each. National Officials Committee Upgrading Criteria (updated October 2020).

Core Competencies for Officials

• Press here for a description of the knowlege, skills and abilities expectations for each of the 5 levels of officials 

Levels 1 - 3 (provincial)

• applications are processed by BC Athletics Officials Committee
• applications can be submitted at any time

Levels 4 - 5 (national)

• upgrading decisions made by National Officials Committee
• application deadlines: Mar 15 and Sept 15 of each year

U-18 Officials Program

BCA offers an officials training and certification program for girls and boys between the ages of 13 and 17.

Upgrading Process

The following outlines the process of upgrading from one level to the next. Please follow carefully to ensure your application proceeds smoothly.

1. If you wish to upgrade this year, please complete the Upgrading Tracking Form
2. You will then be contacted to discuss arrangements for obtaining required courses, credits or evaluations   
3. Work with your Mentor to complete all necessary requirements and submit necessary information for completing the upgrading process

Requirements for Provincial Levels

Click HERE to review the Officials Career Pathway 

Officials’ Travel Subsidy Program

Subsidies are available for level 1 or 2 officials residing in smaller communities to travel to competitions for purposes of gaining experience, mentorship or evaluations. More information can be found under the section on Benefits, Recognition and Expenses.

Contact for Certification and Upgrading Requests

Cheryl Elke
2397 Fleetwood Ave., Kamloops, BC  V2B 4S8
Phone 250-554-4240
wcelke@shaw.ca

Benefits, Recognition

Officials Honour Roll - click here

Meet Credits

Benefits and recognition items and activities for officials is based on participation at meets. Officials earn credits for each meet they participate in which in turn qualifies them for various benefits and recognition items.

The Officials Committee approves (reviews) members’ claims for meet credits. Only officiating at sanctioned track and field events count for meet credits. Sanctioning can be from BC Athletics or equivalent organizations in other jurisdictions. Unsanctioned meets do not count for upgrading, recognition item or travel reimbursement (e.g., Special Olympics, some elementary school events). Sanctioning ensures insurance coverage along with a minimum standard for meet organization, competition and officiating requirements. Workshops do not count as meet credits for upgrading, recognition item or travel reimbursement purposes.

BCA Officials Recognition Program 2019

The 2019 Recognition Program is supported by BC Athletics and by individual donors. We wish to recognize the dedication and many volunteer hours of our BC Athletics member officials.

All officials who:

• Are current members of BC Athletics
• Have Level 1 or above certification
• Have earned a minimum of 15 credits

Are eligible to receive this year’s recognition items

The fabulous items for 2019 is a choice between a Relaxus cooling Towel for those hot summer days, or a BC Athletics Official Toque for those cool spring days.

For all eligible officials

All officials who obtain 15 or more credits between September 1, 2018 and August 31. 2019 are eligible for the 2019 Official recognition Item.  Please submit your application by September 1, 2019.  Submit your claim to Sue Kydd, following the instructions on the Order form 2019 Recognition Item. 

For new Level 2 eligible Officials (upgraded to Level 2 in 2019) only

Officials who upgrade to Level 2 are eligible to receive a BCA Officials name tag.  If you have not received your name tag, contact Cheryl Elke

Officials’ Travel Subsidy Program

This program is for level 1 or 2 officials who reside in smaller communities where there is not the benefit of local competitions or where there are few mentors available to guide and evaluate their progress. The program offers a $200 subsidy per official, for up to five officials, for purposes of assisting them travel to meets to gain experience, mentorship or evaluations to upgrade to the next level. Further information about the Travel Subsidy Program and the application form can be found here.

Sport BC Presidents' Award - Athletics

Peter Fejfar – 2020 Presidents' Award

For more than 45 years Peter Fejfar has volunteered his time as an Athletics Official for Track & Field, Road and Cross Country Running Events. A Level 5 National and International Technical Official, Instructor and Mentor, Peter has also been a valued member of the BC Athletics Facilities Cttee and involved in reviewing the planning, building and upgrading of Track & Field facilities in British Columbia. A BC Athletics Hall of Fame member, it is an honour to recognize Peter Fejfar as the recipient of the 2020 Sport BC President’s Award for Athletics.

About the Sport BC Presidents' Award

Founded in 1994, Sport BC’s Annual Presidents’ Awards promote and celebrate the spirit of volunteerism by giving member organizations an opportunity to acknowledge and thank an individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to their sport. See complete list of 2020 Recipients at Sport BC Presidents' Awards.

Training Materials

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CLINIC/WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

National Clinics for Officials

These free clinics are required for upgrading to Level 4. 

Who should participate:

• any official intending to upgrade to Level 4 in the discipline within 5 years
• any official Level 4 or above in the discipline who has not participated in a Clinic in the last 5 years

Other officials who are Level 3+ in any discipline may also participate.

Register for National Clinics with John Cull johncull@telus.net

2021 Officials Workshops

Officials Group Training - COVID-19 Protocols

Resources for Mentors

Coming soon...

Officials Training Program

Official's Code of Conduct (2018)

Recruitment, Recognition and Retention of Volunteers

All members are encouraged to read about best practices for Recruitment, Recognition and Retention of Volunteers.

Expectations for officials working with volunteers

Officials Technical Info

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Links

• BCA Events & Technical Specifications
• BCA Calendar of Events
• BCA Officials Committee Minutes
• BCA Officials' Honour Roll
• BCA Officials' Ethics and Guidelines
• Official's Decorum - reminders of the behavioral duties and conduct officials need to be aware of when officiating
• Spectator Code of Conduct - BC Athletics' expectations for spectator conduct in supporting the values of the organization and encourging the development of all athletes.
• NOC Web Page

• Donated to:The BC Athletics Officials Development Fund In Memory of Jackie Barrington:BC Athletics Officials Development Fund Donor Form

BC Athletics Officials Development Fund

The BC Athletics Officials Development Fund, established through the National Sport Trust Fund, was set up to allow for tax receiptable donations to be made for the Recruitment, Training and Retention of Volunteer Athletics/Track & Field and Off-track Officials.

Tax Receipts are issued for donations of $20.00 or more.

Individuals, Families, Clubs, Organizations, Societies and Corporations can made a donation by connecting to the:

• BC Athletics Officials Development Fund Donor Form

Thank you for your help in continuing the Recruitment, Training and Retention of Volunteeer Officials.

Sincerely,

Brian McCalder, BC Athletics President/CEO

Officials Gallery!

2018 World Masters Championships Malaga, Spain

2018 Canadian Track & Field Championships

2018 BC High School Track & Field Championships

Kamloops Officials Meeting 2018

2018 Gary Reed Invitational - Kamloops, BC  Feb/18

2017 BC High School Track & Field Championships

May 20, 2017 - Richmond - Richard Collier Big Kahuna ThrowsFest

April 23, 2017 - Vancouver - 2017 Vancouver Sun Run

April 1-2 2017 - Kamloops van Ryswyk Invitational and BC Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships 

Kamloops Spring 2018