THE Department of Youth and Sports and the newly-elected executive of the Saint Lucia Athletics Association will host a meeting and training session for all technical officials, today at the George Odlum Stadium starting at 10:00 a.m.
The activity is geared towards sharpening the skills of technical officials as the 2017 track and field season begins in earnest in the coming weeks.
Senior Youth and Sports Officer, Patrick Mathurin, said the recruitment drive provides the opportunity to continue the groundwork for a Technical Officials Association which started late last year.
Mathurin said, “The composition requires for referees who will be responsible for judging the various events within track and field. They can be sub-divided into four main groups – field judges, track judges, timekeepers and starters.”
He continued: “Recruitment for officials is always necessary as people come and go. In addition, we have always been running with skeleton crews, so we are trying to boost the numbers to allow for better efficiency. Remember that this is voluntary.”
Mathurin concluded: “Officials will be put through the paces as to how to officiate during a throwing event — javelin, discuss and shot putt. If time permits, there will be a demonstration of the FAT System to generate a level of interest and hopefully some recruitment can be done.”
In terms of changes to the rules for the various throwing events, the officials present will be brought up to speed on any rule change, rule interpretation, point of emphasis and pre-meet notes.
The sessions today will be conducted by Mathurin with assistance from other trained technical officials. Mathurin is an IAAF Certified Level II Official, one of only two on island, the other being the President of the Saint Lucia Athletic Association, Andrew Magloire.
Meanwhile, technical officials and interested persons are reminded that transportation leaves the Derek Walcott Square at 8:15 a.m. and that the attire that should be worn should be conducive for work as the session will be a practical one.