Interested in officiating? Have a passion for the game and want to get involved? Here is some information to help you on your journey.

How we help you get started

• After completing the initial training and registration requirements we provide you with a basic starting uniform.

• The association pays your national registration fees.

Payments

• Once accredited you receive a game fee for each game worked – the amount varies based on the level of competition

• These rates increase as you progress through each of the accreditation levels

• You receive a ‘per km’ travel allowance if you drive to a game site and your round trip travel from home is more than 100 km

What’s in it for you

The opportunity to;

• get out and be active – maintain a level of fitness
• challenge yourself to learn and apply a new set of rules
• practice and improve your people-management skills in a competitive environment
• meet and work with like-minded people who also love the sport (all games are worked with a crew of at least 4 officials)
• be mentored by a current official
• review your performance on video and receive feedback
• attend periodic ‘development’ sessions to improve your knowledge
• be eligible for selection to interstate games and national competitions once you achieve Level 2 accreditation
• be involved in a great sport and have the “best seat in the house”

What we ask of you

• Be reliable, responsible and a good communicator
• Have a reasonable level of fitness – we generally move at a jog but occasionally need to sprint
• Have humility – be receptive to constructive feedback as you learn (we all make mistakes!)
• Commit to;
  • meet the requirements of the AGOA Level 1 Training Program. These comprise;
    1. Completion the Australian Sports Commission ‘Introductory Level Officiating General Principles’ online course (this takes around 3-4 hours in total and can be done over a number of days/weeks)
    2. Completing the Australian Gridiron Officials Association (AGOA) online Basic officiating course.
    3. Achieving the pass mark of 65% in the national Level 1 exam at some point during your first year
  • attend a series of classroom sessions (3 at most – may be evenings or weekends)
  • attend at least one on-field training session/club scrimmage prior to the start of the season
  • provide evidence of a current ‘Working with Children’ check (unless exempt) or obtaining the check if you do not already have one
  • improving your skills and knowledge
• Endeavour to make yourself available for games as often as possible
  • We understand that family, work, other activities/interests and life get in the way of things we might also like to do so the fact that you may not be available every weekend does not rule you out

Note: We also offer opportunities in a range of ‘ancillary’ roles such as game or play clock operator, penalty recorder or as a member of the chain crew. Completion of the training program is not a requirement for these roles (although a ‘Working with Children’ check is) and you would still be eligible for a nominal game fee for each role undertaken.

What you need to do next: email vgoapresident@gmail.com to register your interest.