News & Updates

A proactive approach to recruiting young officials in the Otago region paid dividends at the 2024 South Island Colgate Games as a group of around 30 “young people” officiated at the latest edition of the iconic event in Dunedin.

Acknowledging that a high percentage of officials in the region were in their more senior years, Athletics Otago Officials Co-Coordinator Joan Merrilees actively sought out younger people to fulfil the role.

Reaching out to several coaching groups, Joan, alongside her fellow co-coordinator Karen Palmer, initially set up a Mathletics-style fun officiating game and a group of younger officials from up and down the country were all showcased to show the potential of working in the field.

Off the back of this, the Otago region – which has also been responsible for a wider officials recruitment strategy – completed 102 gradings and with 29 of the 88 officials committed to the South Island Colgate Games aged 16 to 30 it has been a huge victory for the region.

“There is a general feeling that within the world of officials there are many of us with grey hair,” explains Joan. “So, this makes it hard to build from the top and to get more officials involved is something we need to grow from the bottom. To help recruit more younger officials we need to show how it benefits the athletes to have a greater understanding of the rules. Even if they are not ready to officiate yet it is something they might want to come back to in the future.” 

The younger officials have been recruited from a range of clubs not only in Otago but also Canterbury and Southland and although most have completed their C Grade official qualification, four athletes – including Paralympic javelin F46 champion Holly Robinson – have completed their B Grade qualification giving them far more responsibility.

Holly herself has been involved as an official for four years and recently officiated at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Track, Field and Road Championships in Christchurch.

“I first got involved as an official because I wanted to give something back to the sport that had given me so much,” she explains. “By becoming an official it gives you a great understanding of the rules which is helpful for your event. But not only that, the camaraderie of working with other officials and being able to create an environment which can allow the athletes to achieve their goals is hugely rewarding. I would encourage any other younger athlete to make the same step.” 

Joan, a former Athletics NZ President, had been delighted with the pipeline of younger officials within the region, and she adds: “I’m proud and really happy that the kids have stepped up. We’ve had quite a few who have completed their gradings who have chosen to volunteer at South Island Colgate Games rather than become an official but that is great too. It all adds to the future safeguarding of our sport.”