Code of Conduct for Officials

✓ Must treat everyone fairly and sensitively regardless of their gender, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion, or political affiliation.

✓ Be consistent, objective, impartial and courteous when applying the rules of the event.

✓ Complement all competitors on good play when the opportunity arises.

✓ Encourage all participants to play within the riles and the spirit of the event / competition.

✓ Try to ensure that the event/competition is allowed to flow with only as many stoppages as is necessary.

✓ Show patience and understanding towards students who may be learning the event / competition.

✓ Not be afraid to take decisions. An official should be fair and firm and must resit any possible influence from protests on the part of students, team officials or spectators.

✓ Show respect towards students and team officials.

✓ Be honest and completely impartial at all times, irrespective of the students or team officials involved in the event / competition.

✓ Inform the person or body directly responsible if unable to officiate for any reason.

✓ Refrain from requesting hospitality of any kind, or accept hospitality offered and considered to be excessive.

✓ Always have regard to the best interests of the game / competition, including where publicly expressing and opinion on the game / competition or any particular aspect of it, including others involved.

✓ Do not tolerate foul, sexist or racist language from students, officials or spectators.

✓ The powers of an official must be used with wise judgement and care. Authority and a firm approach must be combined with respect.

✓ An official should have regard to protecting the participants.

✓ An official should show due respect when speaking with the participants, even in the event of infringements.

✓ In reports, an official should set out the true facts and not attempt to justify any decisions.

✓ It is necessary for the official’s authority of be protected, not only for the sake of the event/competition, but also in the interest of fellow officials. This protection should, however, not influence the overriding regard for protection of the participants.

✓ An official should refrain from publicly expressing any criticism of fellow officials.

✓ An official should assist with the development of less experienced officials and assistant officials.