What qualifications do I need to officiate, and how are officials appointed?

To officiate at any LSA competition you must:

• Be a registered member of an affiliated province, district, region, branch, club or kindred organisation.
• Hold the appropriate award and be proficient as that award prescribes.
• Not be in default on financial, disciplinary or duty/patrol commitments.
• Be accredited by your branch or provincial lifesaving sport body, with your application endorsed before you are appointed.

Minimum qualification: Level 1 Accreditation (Judges Certificate) or equivalent. At provincial, district, regional, branch or club competitions, probationary or on-the-job trainees may be appointed to gain experience.

For LSA National Championships you must also be an active technical official in your province or regional association.

Appointments

• National events: the Chief Referee and Deputy are appointed by the LSA Sport Advisory Board.
• Provincial and lower competitions: they are appointed by the provincial authority.
• Other officials are appointed by the Chief Referee, to criteria endorsed by the Sport Advisory Board.
• Technical officials (judges) are appointed annually by their province, district, region, branch or club and endorsed at the LSA AGM on the recommendation of the LSA Director: Sport.

Once appointed, you should be told your duties, briefing times and reporting arrangements, and you must attend the briefings.