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.

Officials Annual Meeting - Nov., 7 2021

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Latest News

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

Quick Guide to setting up a First and Second Claim Club for Officials

Reminder to renew your BC Athletics memberships for 2021 and be sure to sign off on your COVID Waiver!

NOC Guidelines for World Athletics Shoe Rule 5

The National Officials Committee and Athletics Canada have developed guidelines for the implementation of the World Athletics shoe rule 5.  The guidelines are targeted to athletes, coaches and officials and include shoe declarations by the athlete and shoe checks at competitions.

Unattached members renew online

Members with affiliated clubs should join up through their club.

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

Celebrating 70 Years of Officiating!

Anne Lansdell will be receiving her service pin from Athletics Canada’s National Officials Committee for over 70 years of officiating service! A retired high school teacher from Chilliwack and Victoria, B.C., Anne started officiating in 1948 as a young teenager, drawn to the sport through her father, Fletcher Winter, who was the long serving Chief Timekeeper for B.C. in both swimming and track and field.

Our thanks and appreciation go out to Anne for her longtime service to our sport. Click here to read more of her history. 

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

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 April 2017

BCA Officials Committee - Recruitment Training Retention Programs - Ver 1

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)

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