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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-06-09 Daily Xml
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SPORTING OFFICIALS

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. What is the state government doing to curb unsportsmanlike behaviour towards sporting officials?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Premier with South Australia's Strategic Plan) (14:28): The government is concerned about any unsportsmanlike behaviour in the sporting arena, whether directed at umpires, referees, officials or other participants. It is vitally important that clubs, teams and individuals respect umpires, referees, officials and other participants. A couple of recent incidents of referee abuse have attracted attention—and for good reason, as any abuse or attack on a referee simply cannot be tolerated.

In the first instance, each club has the responsibility to educate its own players, officials and spectators regarding appropriate behaviour and to take prompt action to address matters as they arise. Resources are available to help with this responsibility. The Play by the Rules website provides free online awareness training on appropriate sporting behaviour. Codes of behaviour set out clearly the behaviour expectations a club has of its players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.

The Office for Recreation and Sport manages the Coloured Shirt program, which supports new officials and encourages positive spectator behaviour. The program aims to make all beginner or inexperienced officials easily recognisable to players and spectators by wearing a fluorescent green shirt, leading to greater tolerance and a reduction in harassment, and thereby making officiating more attractive to participate in. It focuses on educating not only the new officials but also the players, spectators and coaches, to help them understand what the shirt means so that they can modify their behaviour accordingly. I can tell the house that I have had direct experience of playing in a game officiated by one of the officials in a green shirt, and it takes a certain amount more discipline to interact with such a referee.

Scouts SA has partnered with the Office for Recreation and Sport to help deliver this important message to the sport and active recreation community. Information stands at various sporting venues have been set up throughout May and June to remind the sport and recreation community of the Coloured Shirt program and of the acceptable sideline behaviour towards new or inexperienced officials. When you see a learner official in their fluorescent green shirt we must all stop, think and support them.

Without officials, sporting activities so important to individuals and communities simply would not exist. It is therefore vital that we help new officials to have a positive experience so that they will be encouraged to continue, and that we do not tolerate attacks on referees at any level.

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