What can you do to recruit and retain more women officials?

Without officials there is no sport, so how can community clubs, state sporting organisations and associations ensure they have a pool of women officials?

New research from La Trobe University, supported by a Change Our Game Research Grant, showed the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment to attract and retain women and girls as officials.

The study showed that women officials experienced a range of barriers and challenges at the community sport level that hindered them from being involved in sport.

The challenges ranged from the training environment, behaviour of spectators, coaches and players, and pathways.

How to address barriers and more women and girls interested in becoming an official?

Here's a few ideas:

• implement a buddy system to pair new officials with more experienced ones

• ensure women are present in decision making processes and leadership roles

• create clear and accessible pathways for women in officiating

• offer flexible scheduling or part time roles

• develop a spectator code of conduct that outlines appropriate behaviour and consequences

• promote stories and achievements of women officials in media and organisational communications

The research also indicated the need for targeted outreach, such as partnering with local schools or community groups to identify women who might be interested in trying officiating or creating campaigns to encourage more women and girls to get involved.

Offering career development, frequent training and creating more welcoming and inclusive spaces for women and girls in community sport will help with keeping women and girls in officiating roles.

Check out the full research report enhancing participation pathways for women sport officials.

Discover all the steps to recruit and retain women officials.