Increasing the recruitment and retention of sports officials – the importance of sports officials in any new sport and recreation strategy

Sports officials face considerable challenges merely in undertaking their role. They face issues related to abuse, isolation and support and this means that there is a constant challenge for governing bodies of sport to recruit and retain these individuals. However, without sports officials facilitating competitive sport, participation numbers reduce. Concerns arise regarding further reductions in the numbers of sports officials and the impact that this reduction would have across sport, and therefore it is imperative that a joined up, coordinated approach to the issues identified here, is evident in any forthcoming sport and recreation strategy.