Athletics Australia and Jetstar Little Athletics Australia has launched their new joint Australian Athletics Officials Education Scheme (AAEOS).

Endorsed by the Australian Sports Commission, the AAEOS delivers an innovative and transparent education pathway for all officials, with online learning coupled with face-to-face education. The scheme’s exemplary education framework will ensure Australian Athletics Officials remain world leaders in event delivery at all levels of athletic competition.

The AAOES emphasises the importance of knowledge and competency. It will be widely accessible and will encourage even more people to get involved with athletics through officiating.

The levels of this scheme delivered within Australia are:
– Club/Centre/School Official; AAOES Level 1
– State Level Official; AAOES Level 2
– National Level Official; AAOES Level 3

The AAEOS is complemented by two additional invitation-only courses delivered at Oceania Athletics Association or International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) level. These courses are designed to provide Australian Athletics Officials with the opportunity to become qualified international level officials.

“With an at home Commonwealth Games in 2018 fast approaching, it is vital that athletics in Australia boast a broad network of educated and capable officials. The online learning system that we have created in collaboration with Jetstar Little Athletics Australia will bring more people into the sport through officiating and provide a pathway for international officiating for experienced Australian officials,” Phil Jones, Athletics Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for parents of little athletes to become more involved with our great sport. Officials are crucial to the delivery of athletics to more than 100,000 children every weekend and it’s great that we have been able to create a seamless pathway for those looking to pursue opportunities across all ages of the sport,” Martin Stillman, Jetstar Little Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer, said.

This is an exciting time for officiating in Australia, and Athletics Australia and Little Athletics Australia encourage your feedback to continue to improve the program.

Athletics Australia and Little Athletics Australia would like to thank the Officials Committee of Lorraine Morgan, Donna Smith, Peter Barnes, Eddie Fabian, John Morris and Richard Lawsyz for their dedicated contribution to making the AAEOS a reality.

For more information on the Australian Athletics Officials’ Education Scheme, please go to the Jetstar Little Athletics Australia website www.littleathletics.com.au.