Panel set up to upgrade recognition of umpires

16/10/94Sporting figures who are often the least appreciated and the most criticised, have a new ally in the form of a panel of senior sporting administrators.

16/10/94

Sporting figures who are often the least appreciated and the most criticised, have a new ally in the form of a panel of senior sporting administrators.

The panel has been established to upgrade the recognition and support for umpires, referees and sports officials.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore today announced the membership of the panel, which would be headed by international hockey umpire Don Prior.

Mr Moore said the group would work to implement the recommendations of the report entitled 'A Fair Go' which highlighted problems facing officials in Western Australian sport.

The report, written and researched by Mr Len Pavy - a former Sheffield Shield cricketer and State cricket selector - identified the need for substantial improvement of training and accreditation courses for officials at all levels of sport.

"The State Government has provided $50,000 to sport associations to help them address concerns about the number, profile and standard of training of officials, without whom sporting contests could not be run," Mr Moore said.

"The panel, which has a wealth of relevant knowledge, will work to coordinate the response to the report, and to bring the level of resources and effort directed at sports officials, closer to that put into enhancing the performance of athletes and coaches."

Other panel members were:

·       Mark Spargo, sports psychologist with the Western Australian Institute of Sport;

·       David Johnson, director of umpiring with the WA Footbal Commission and a former League umpire;

·       David McCann, chief executive officer of Athletics West, an IAAF official and former international athlete;

·       Liz Chetkovich, WAIS Gymnastics coach and administrator of the Women's Gymnastic Program;

·       Cathy Smith, a highly-qualified tennis umpire who officiates at the Australian Open and secretary of the WALTUA;

·       Alan Luscombe, president of the WA Baseball League, president of the WA Baseball Umpires' Association, director of the WA Baseball Academy and director of the Australian Baseball Federation;

·       Ron Tindall, former soccer and cricket player, now the executive officer of the WA Coaching Foundation;

·       Peter Burke, a soccer development officer, representing the Sports Development Forum; and -

·       Carolyn Parker, former State hockey player, representing the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.

The Ministry of Sport and Recreation, with the sponsorship of Ampol Ltd and Channel 9, has begun a public awareness campaign on television to coincide with major sports telecasts from now until Christmas.

MEDIA CONTACT: John Fuhrmann -- Ministry of Sport and Recreation -  447 9837

Ross Storey  321 1444


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