The following information is a general overview of the Centre procedures / requirements for officials accreditation.
QLAA Officials Accreditation now consists of five levels, with Level C having three (3) sections. These are:
D Level
The existing Little Athletics D Level
C Level
C3: The existing AA Level C & Existing QLAA Level C with three event gradings in a discipline
C2: Existing QLAA Level C with two event gradings in a discipline
C1: Existing QLAA Level C with one event grading in a discipline
QLA Ref
Officials holding C3 Level and assessed capable as a Referee at QLAA events
A & B
The existing AA and QLAA Levels A & B
Each Official attaining a QLAA Level is issued with a QLAA Officials Membership card which are produced and issued and coloured card. D Grade - grey; C Grade - yellow; QLARef - blue
Gaining Accreditation / Appointments to Competitions
To obtain accreditation for QLAA D and C Grades, applicants need to complete practical assessments and theory exams for each level. QLAA no longer offers papers to obtain QLAA B or A Grade accreditation, however recommendations and / or assessments will be conducted for QLAA Referees appointments, accreditation and notation on the QLAA database (QLAA-ref).
QLAA D and C Grades, accreditation and theory papers are set in event groups; however, qualifications may be obtained for individual events. The event groups are Jumps, Throws, Track, Recording and Race Walking. A typical theory paper includes a general section, as well as 15 – 20 questions on each specific event within the event group. While members are to be encouraged to undertake the whole event group, particularly if the official wishes to gain a higher-grade accreditation, it is not compulsory for the individuals to complete all events.
QLA Ref accreditation is achievable by any C3 (C2 Jumps) accredited Official who has been actively officiating for two consecutive years. The applicant may apply for consideration or be assessed for appointment as a Referee at Association events, by using form QLAA_300 and submitted to the Association Office.
QLAA encourages higher levels of accreditation to be obtained through the AA accreditation scheme. Theory and practical components are a requirement for ‘AA’ A and B accreditations. Further detail regarding these grades can be obtained through the Brisbane Area Official Club and or the Queensland Athletics Officials Commission (QA Office).
All accredited Officials will be recorded on the QLAA database according to the number of C grade qualifications in an event group i.e. C grade Long Jump = C1, C Grade Long Jump and High Jump C2, C Grade Long Jump and Discus = C1. Once a QLAA official is recorded as a C3, they MAY be recognised on the AA database as a C level accredited official.
Appointments to QLAA & AA competitions will be competency based, subject to specific criteria and will be assessed on an individual basis.
Accredited Practicing Official (APO) Policy
QLAA is currently running with two levels of accreditation recognition in the Education Officials Scheme.
The first level will be Officials holding accreditation that do not comply with the APO; the second will be those Officials that hold accreditation and do comply with the APO policy.
The basic principle of the policy is to identify and recognise the Officials who are holding accreditation and are active, therefore are more likely to have a good understanding of the current rules and thereby be ideal for competition appointments. To achieve APO status an Official must be recorded to have earnt 20 points in a 2 year period. Use this link to view APO Policy.
Junior Officials
Athletes from 13 years of age be eligible to sit for the D Grade officials exams.
Junior D Grade Officials (15 - 17 years of age) may be Chief at Centre level but assistant only at Association Days (includes Regions, Winter, State)
That Junior D Grade Officials (15 – 17 years of age) may apply for qualification as a “C” Grade official and may carry out duties of same at Association meets. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the Centre Committee, CAPS coordinator. This does not apply to the position of Starter – officials must be 18 years of age to use a starting gun.
That for all Little Athletics competitions, no person under the age of 18 is to be in the position of starter or recaller i.e. those positions which require the official to hold a starting gun.
Further Information & Updates of Officials Educations Papers
The review of forms and papers will be undertaken by the Officials Committee and other members so appointed by the Officials committee. All pages and procedures will indicate an update date. All relative Centre Officials papers are available through the Centre Admin section of the QLAA website.
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