THE AGOA Training Program

Purpose of the Training Program

The purpose of the training program is to guide the Trainee through the available source material so that they become more effective officials through knowledge of rules and mechanics. The source material is to be considered a study guide and not the definitive material on any particular subject area.

The program is illustrated below:

 

DIAGRAM 1.          AGOA Training Program Map

The underlying principle of the delivery of the AGOA Training Program is:

• Individual officials are identified, developed and mentored by state GOA in accordance with the requirements of the AGOA Training Program
• When ready, the individual official is recommended to AGOA for accreditation
• AGOA assesses the progress of the individual official and grants accreditation
• AGOA manages and quality assures the Training Program for all gridiron officials in Australia

OUTLINE CONTENTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM

The training program for each level consists of:

·         Theory lessons and examination conducted over a single two day weekend seminar covering;

·                Officiating Ethics and Practice,

·                Rules of the Game,

·                Officiating Mechanics,

·                Crew Participation and Leadership, and

·                Legal Responsibilities and Risk Management.

·         Demonstrated practical knowledge and evidence of on-field capability assessed by;

·                On-field assessment, and

·                Minimum number of games.

·         Appropriate level of experience of the game assessed by a minimum training time.

The complete requirements for each level are detailed in the appropriate sections.

The method of on-field assessment is detailed in Appendix 1.

COURSE DURATION

The complete course is a multi-year program.  It is intended to be taken progressively over approximately four to six years.  This is to gain the experience necessary to achieve the expert levels of knowledge.  Section 5 describes the following.

·         The Qualification Levels.

·         The Qualification Standards.

·         The special certifications to meet specialised roles and their responsibilities.

The complete requirements for each level are detailed in the appropriate sections.

·         Each course stage has a sequence of theory lessons designed so that they can be delivered over a single weekend.  This necessitates the breakdown of some elements into smaller groupings eg rules.

·         The balance of the program, ie practical experience and on-field assessments are intended to be gained over time.

COURSES

There are five AGOA Courses leading to three qualification Levels and two Certificates. The details of each course are contained in subsequent sections of this Manual.

The courses are:

·         Level 1 Official

·         Level 2 Official

·         Level 3 Official

·         Referee’s Certificate

·         Officiating Instructor’s Certificate

SANCTIONING OF COURSES

Only courses approved for delivery by AGOA and delivered according to the standards outlined in this program will be sanctioned by AGOA for accreditation purposes.

The authority for sanctioning the delivery of a course is the NDT.

A state GOA wishing to deliver a course is to obtain sanctioning authority from the NDT for the inclusion of a training course in the individuals record.  Details are given in the section “Course Management”.

Contents

Each course outline will consist of the following

·         Competency Statements

·         Pre-Course, In Course and Post Course requirements

·         Training Program Syllabus

·         Training Program Overview

·         Sport Specific Resource Development

Officiating Practice

Timing of Officiating Practice.

To achieve a qualification level practical officiating is required to be completed during and/or immediately after the course.  The timings are listed in Table 1 “QUALIFICATION STANDARDS” on Page 10.

Officials may complete theory sessions and study well in advance of completion of practical experience.  However, qualification will only be granted when minimum practical experience levels have been achieved.

Supervision/MENTORING of Officiating practice

The crew chief (usually the Referee) will supervise the practical officiating experience.

Supervision will involve:

·         Contact with the trainee official, either

·                observing them, or

·                officiating with them.

·         Setting tasks for the trainee official to undertake in their own time or at training sessions, including reports or presentations.

·         Assisting the trainee official to analyse a video tape of their officiating.

 

Assigned supervisors will meet with their respective trainee official during or after the formal course. At this meeting the official and their supervisor should formulate a satisfactory arrangement to enable them to fulfil the officiating practice requirements.

Supervisor credit

Supervisors will receive updating credit for the number of hours spent on supervising trainee officials.