We would like to thank all officials for all their hard work, commitment, and support on behalf of events and the sport, in what is the first full season without any pandemic restrictions in place since 2020. You are all doing a fantastic job and it is very much appreciated by athletes, coaches, event organisers and the home countries and UKA’. Our sport is forever indebted to the sterling work the officiating community undertakes week in week out across the UK.
As the governing body for the sport, we are firmly committed to the safety of all event participants, and it is important to highlight the crucial role all event organisers and officials play in ensuring that Athletics is as safe as possible for all involved. During this year we have seen an increase in reported near misses and incidents. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all officials that their safety is incredibly important.
UKA appreciate that officials are required to make “on the spot decisions” at events, however, it is important to note that as well as ensuring a “level playing field” many roles/events also carry critical safety elements, and it is imperative that events run safely to avoid any serious accidents / incidents occurring.
Competition organisers should ensure that they meet all elements of their licencing terms and these are available here Officials should feel comfortable that they are able to undertake the role asked of them, and that they are currently licenced to carry out that role. It is important officials on all events follow the relevant protocol for their areas of responsibility. E.g., face the cage/runway/circle at all times and acknowledge the lead official/warning horn, prior to each throw commencing.
Colleagues at all levels will find the online document “Safe Athletics” useful and for less experienced colleagues it should be essential reading. In addition, last year, UKA issued Long Throws Statement detailing guidance when judging long throws which should be revisited periodically by all officials.
Everyone involved in Track and Field events should be familiar with facilities being used at events being attended, with lots of resources available here
Thank you so much for all your hard work, time, passion, and dedication to the sport in providing good competition experience for all participants in Athletics.
Kind regards
UK Athletics Officials Team
