SISSSOF203
Judge competitive situations

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to judge the performance standard and outcome of a competitive situation according to relevant National Sporting Organisation (NSO) rules and regulations. It includes the application of strategies to deal with disputes surrounding the outcome of the competition and self-reflection to review and analyse the conduct and outcomes of the official’s performance to modify and improve future performances.

Application

This unit applies to those undertaking an officiating role in a competition environment at entry level. This unit covers the application of relevant NSO rules, regulations and guidelines to judge performance levels and competition outcomes. It also includes the application of some basic strategies to prevent and deal with minor disputes regarding decisions made by the official. Personnel undertaking this unit would be seeking to act as a judge or scorer in a sport specific event or competition.


Prerequisites

SISSSOF101

Develop and update officiating knowledge


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Assess the competition environment and requirements.

1.1 Identify the rules or regulations and performance standards appropriate for the relevant event or competition.

1.2 Check appropriate documentation prior to commencement of event or competition and confirm participant eligibility status.

1.3 Confirm that environment, facilities and equipment meet event or competition requirements.

1.4 Confirm that risk analysis has been completed prior to commencement of the event or competition according to organisational policies and procedures.

2. Judge performance levels.

2.1 Undertake observation of the competitive situation and demonstrated performance levels.

2.2 Judge within terms of NSO rules, regulations and guidelines.

2.3 Make decisions within required time frames and advise outcomes promptly.

2.4 Manage reactions of participants to decisions according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.5 Identify breaches of rules and regulations by participants, coaches and officials and act accordingly.

3. Judge the outcome.

3.1 Make decisions that are fair and equitable and can be factually justified.

3.2 Make and communicate decisions promptly within required timeframes and without influence of external sources.

3.3 Undertake cooperative approach to team judging decisions where appropriate.

3.4 Apply effective communication strategies in interactions with competitors, spectators and other officials.

4. Certify and endorse results.

4.1 Undertake certification clearly and accurately within prescribed time frames.

4.2 Utilise prescribed formats and documentation where required to ensure consistency.

4.3 Cross check certifications for verification prior to authorisation where required.

5. Deal with disputes.

5.1 Identify the causes of conflict.

5.2 Use accepted conflict resolution techniques to manage the conflict situation and develop solutions.

5.3 Explain techniques for conflict resolution to individuals involved and relevant others where appropriate.

5.4 Identify quickly situations where personal safety of relevant others may be threatened and organise appropriate assistance.

5.5 Resolve disputes arising from the event or competition promptly.

5.6 Ensure assessment and decisions are fair, equitable evidence based and adhere to principles of natural justice.

5.7 Record outcomes of dispute according to organisational policies and procedures and competition regulations.

6. Review and modify outcomes.

6.1 Review outcomes in consultation with appropriate personnel.

6.2 Evaluate own performance using self-reflection methods and identify potential improvements for future performances.

6.3 Make modifications where required in response to feedback from support personnel and own self-reflection outcomes.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

elicit and confirm information from participants before the competition

clarify rules and regulations with appropriate personnel

communicate decisions clearly and accurately

interact with participants, coaches and team officials with in a courteous and professional manner

resolve conflict

seek feedback from appropriate personnel on the conduct of the game or competition

language and literacy skills to:

access and interpret information about the rules and regulations for the relevant competition

complete documentation in relation to competition outcomes and results

problem-solving skills to:

respond appropriately to problems during or after the competition

apply strategies to resolve disputes related to the conduct or outcome of the competition

planning and organising skills to identify competition requirements and confirm these are met

self-management skills to review and reflect on own work performance in effectively conducting competitions according to rules and regulations and expectations of participants.

Required knowledge

NSO codes, rules, performance standards and guidelines including conditions of participation and documentation required for the relevant competition

relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of the competition

self-reflection principles to enable effective self-evaluation for future improvement

judging codes of practice and best practice principles to enable the competition to be officiated to the highest standard

organisational risk management procedures to enable risks associated with competitions to be assessed and addressed so that activities can be undertaken safely

conflict resolution strategies and procedures to enable disputes arising from the competition decisions or outcomes to be resolved fairly and to the satisfaction of those involved.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

utilise knowledge and interpretation of relevant rules, regulations and competition performance standard requirements to judge competitive situations according to NSO requirements and policies and procedures

apply effective negotiation and contingency management techniques to deal with problems or disputes that arise in response to the outcomes and makes adjustments in response to changing situations

observe the performance standards and makes decisions objectively within required time frames and certifies and endorses the results

use a range of communication strategies to work effectively with other officials and communicate with participants, officials and spectators

seek feedback from stakeholders and evaluates and reflects on own work performance to identify ways in which the judging of events and competitions can be improved.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

judging of multiple events or competitions to demonstrate competence and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a sport-specific competition setting or environment

participants, equipment and facilities and support personnel in a competition setting or environment

current NSO rules and regulations and performance standards for the relevant competition

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Officials Code of Behaviour.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of judging competitive situations with a range of participants, including making and certifying decisions

observation of dealing with contingencies such as disputes to the outcomes of the competition

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of NSO performance standards, rules and regulations for the relevant competition or event

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing work performance.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

sport-specific units of competency.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the individual, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Rules or regulationsmay include:

current relevant registration and accreditation

age where applicable

certification requirements

membership

standard of facilities and equipment

NSO rules, regulations and guidelines

local or competition specific rules and regulations.

Equipmentmay include:

fixed pieces of apparatus

individual equipment required to manage the competition

personal protective or non-protective clothing or attire and equipment

technical

audiovisual

safety.

Risk analysismay include:

risk identification

risk assessment

design of risk elimination or reduction plan

implementation of the plan

constant evaluation and modification of the plan.

Organisational policies and proceduresmay include:

work health and safety

complaints

conflict resolution

reporting and record keeping

communication protocols

decision making processes.

Decisionsmay include:

incremental during an event or activity

at completion.

Reactionsmay include:

queries about decisions

appeals against decisions

abuse towards official and others

abuse of equipment.

External sourcesmay include:

administrators

other facility users

coaches

spectators

parents or guardians

officials

other judges

peers

media.

Communication strategiesmay include:

active listening

questioning techniques

rephrasing and repeating questions, requests and statements to confirm that they have been correctly understood

empathising with participant situation while upholding rules and regulations

assertiveness

non-verbal communication and recognition of non-verbal signs

ability to speak clearly to be understood and use appropriate language, style and tone.

Causes of conflictmay include:

lack of information

ineffective communication

frustration

provocation

vilififcation

sledging.

Conflict resolution techniquesmay include:

identification

avoidance

problem-solving

use of appropriate communication skills

negotiation.

Relevant othersmay include:

participants

coaches

administrators

parents or guardians

officials

other judges

supporters.

Disputes may include:

disagreement with or questioning of results

official protests

appeals.

Relevant legislationmay include:

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) or Work Health and Safety (WHS)

child protection

anti-discrimination

duty of care.

Principles of natural justicemust include:

inquiry into matters in dispute

right to a timely hearing

fair and impartial hearing panel

opportunity to respond to matters in dispute including presenting evidence

timely, reasoned decision

explanation of reasons for any sanction.

Self-reflection methodsmay include:

diary or journal

mentoring

strengths and weaknesses.

Feedbackmay include:

verbal

written

visual

tactile.


Sectors

Sport


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Each NSO has specific training and assessment requirements for industry accreditation of officials. These requirements will vary between different sports and those developing training and assessment for this unit should undertake consultation with the relevant NSO or State Sporting Organisation (SSO) to determine any specific arrangements for courses, trainers and assessors to facilitate RPL for individuals to achieve the required registration status to operate as an official in that sport.