Officiating

Bowls Victoria supports a national framework of accreditation for officiating. This framework is provided by Bowls Australia and includes a combination of online and face-to-face learning and assessment. A national framework ensures consistency, minimum standards of expertise, and the broad understanding of best practice in officiating.

Want to get involved?

Marking, measuring and umpiring are essential roles in the game of bowls. Officiating help keep our game safe, fair and fun for everyone.

Bowls Victoria Officiating Accreditation Process 2024

NAVIGATION: Please click the ˅ icon to the right for more information.

How to become an Official

There are three levels of national accreditation to officiate bowls, including the specific roles of Marker and Measurer, which lead to becoming and accredited National Umpire. Umpires may be eligible to become an ITO after 3 years of experience.

To accredit to become a Marker, Measurer or National Umpire, please follow the 3-step process listed below.

ACCREDITATION COURSES PROCESS

STEP 1	Complete the online application form.
STEP 2	BV will process and forward to your Region and local Umpiring Coordinator.
STEP 3	Coordinator will be in contact to facilitate your access to the next available course.

For more information about Marker, Measurer, National Umpire and International Technical Official accreditations, please expand below.

Marker Accreditation

The role of a Marker is critical at all levels of the game. This accreditation is perfect for participants who would like to become proficient Markers with intentions of performing the role of a marker at Club events, Region events and also National events.

The interactive Marker Accreditation Module will contain indoor and outdoor discussions and activities. Focusing on the things a marker should do when preparing to mark, laws relating to marking and how to use the index of the law book plus other topics will be workshopped indoors. Outside on the green, participants will discover the best techniques for selecting distances, using the correct equipment and identifying the best methods for anticipating player’s questions.

At the completion of the Marker Accreditation Module, the participant will be able to:

Identify values and ethical behaviour expected of a marker.
Plan and prepare for the requirements of marking.
Self reflect on performance after the competition.
Identify and manage the risks associated with marking.
Apply a positive and cooperative attitude towards other officials, players and spectators.
Using the Laws of the Game of Bowls in Australia, correctly identify and interpret the laws relevant to marking when called upon to do so.
Identify the correct position for the jack/mat at the start of an end.
Demonstrate the appropriate position for a marker to stand on the green during a game.
Select and use the appropriate method for marking touchers.
Identify the equipment that a marker needs in their possession during the game.
Correctly demonstrate the use of equipment needed to mark a game.
Using correct terminology and signals, demonstrate appropriate feedback regarding the state of the head during play when asked by the player in possession of the rink.
At the completion of the end, provide appropriate terminology and signals of the result of the end.
Accurately mark a singles game in a timely and professional manner including correctly maintaining a neat and accurate scorecard.

Measurer Accreditation

Many players would like to become skilful at Measuring. Completing the measuring component will increase your skills and abilities in undertaking accurate measures. This accreditation is designed to provide support for measurers at club level and above. The accreditation will ensure the participants are working on the green learning and practising measures using all types of approved equipment.

The Measurer Accreditation Module will predominantly be conducted on the green exploring the uses of a variety of equipment. The laws relating to the role of a Measurer will also be discussed coupled with the role of a measurer at club level. At the completion of this module, the participant will be able to:

Identify values and ethical behaviour expected of a measurer.
Plan and prepare for the requirements of measuring.
Identify and manage the risks associated with measuring.
Apply a positive and cooperative attitude towards other officials, players and spectators.
Using the Laws of the Game of Bowls in Australia, correctly identify and interpret the laws relevant to measuring when called upon to do so.
Identify and correctly demonstrate the equipment that a measurer needs in their possession during the game.
Utilise a range of communication strategies to communicate decisions to players in an inclusive manner.
Correctly measure the distance between multiple points when called upon to do so.

National Umpire Accreditation

The National Umpire Accreditation is aimed at umpires wishing to officiate at Club and Region level, and above. National umpires will learn how to use the index of the law book and how to correctly interpret laws. People wishing to become accredited must be proficient in all aspects of the game.

As 95% of the work umpires complete is conducted on the green, some of the course will be spent on the green working through scenarios relating to the laws of the sport. National Umpires will work in groups to correctly interpret the laws and discuss the best methods for communicating with players and other officials.

At the end of the module, the participant will be able to:

Identify and display the values and ethical behaviour expected of an umpire at all levels of the game.
Plan and prepare for the requirements of umpiring at all levels of the game.
Maintain a level of fitness appropriate to the standard of bowls at all levels of the game.
Review own performance post competition.
Display a range of body language techniques in order to promote professionalism and enhance an air of presence.
Using the index of the Laws of the Game of Bowls in Australia, correctly identify, interpret and apply the relevant laws appropriate to the game when called upon to do so.
Utilise a range of communication strategies to communicate decisions to players in an inclusive manner.
Apply a positive and cooperative attitude towards officials, other officials, players and spectators.
Identify and manage the risks associated with umpiring and abide by the legal responsibilities expected of an umpire.
Resolve disputes between players relating to the Law and Rules under which the game is being played.

International Technical Official (ITO) Accreditation

The ITO accreditation is a World Bowls accreditation which lasts five years. The frequency of and locations for the assessments will be decided by World Bowls.

Applicants for the ITO position must meet the following qualifying criteria and apply through Bowls Australia:

Have actively officiated for a minimum period of three years. That is, have officiated annually in at least five events at any level for a combined total of at least thirty hours;
Have officiated in at least two International/National/National Division (State/Region/District) events in the two years immediately prior to the date of application;
Have officiated as a marker during the quarter-final, semi-final or final stages of at least two International/National/National Division (State/County/Province/Region) events in the two years immediately prior to the date of application.

APPLY NOW

Click to expand for more information before applying below.

How to reaccredit your officiating qualifications

Umpire, Markers and Measurers accreditation expires after 4 years, as noted on your accreditation card. Reaccreditation should occur prior to expiry, however a short window between expiry and reaccreditation will be accepted at BV’s discretion.

The reaccreditation process takes approximately one hour and is supervised and organised by your Region’s Presenter and Assessor.

When reaccrediting as an umpire you must undertake five questions relating to each category of marking, umpiring, and measuring. There will also be on green exercises related to measuring and marking.

To reaccredit please follow the 3-step process listed below.

Bowls Victoria encourages members to reaccredit and continue your much-valued contribution to the sport of bowls.

REACCREDITATION COURSE PROCESS

STEP 1	Complete the online application form.
STEP 2	BV will process and forward to your Region and local Umpiring Coordinator.
STEP 3	Coordinator will be in contact to facilitate your access to the next available course.

Find out what’s required to reaccredit as an official before reapplying below.

Resources

BVOLC Umpires – 75 Questions & Answers

BVOLC FAQs

BVOLC Umpiring Equipment

BVOLC Basic Measuring for Umpires

BA Challenge to Bowls Form

The Bowls Victoria Officiating & Laws Committee (BVOLC) has collated a number of documents that will be useful administrative and training tools for the Umpires Committees established for the Bowls Victoria Regions and Divisions.

The Lawman

Bowls Victoria Officiating & Laws Committee Co-Chair
John Roberts
E: jmr333@netspace.net.au
P: 0417 330 070

Officiating

Want to get involved?

How to become an Official

ACCREDITATION COURSES PROCESS

Marker Accreditation

Measurer Accreditation

National Umpire Accreditation

International Technical Official (ITO) Accreditation

How to reaccredit your officiating qualifications

REACCREDITATION COURSE PROCESS

Resources

The Lawman

Previous Articles

Lawman – Bowls for Bowls

Lawman – The Chestnut Edition

Some Funny Things Happened…

Managing Disciplinary Matters

Slippery Scenario Solutions

The Lawman

To stop or to lift?

Back to basics reminders from The Lawman

The Lawman Double Header

The Lawman: Laser Measures

The Lawman: Changes to the Laws of the Sport of Bowls booklet

The Lawman: Three things to address

“Play it Again, Sam.”

The Lawman: Changes to Laws, CoPs, Rumours and Facts

The Lawman: It’s about time and place.

The Lawman: New Law Book in Town

The Lawman: Instantaneous penalties, is it worth eight shots?

The Lawman: Umpiring equipment check list for Pennant

The Lawman – Umpires, Officials or Police?

The Lawman: Rules changes for the 2018/19 pennant season

The Lawman archive

The Lawman – Mar 23 2018

The Lawman – Mar 9 2018

The Lawman – Feb 16 2018

The Lawman – Feb 2 2018

The Lawman – Jan 19 2018

The Lawman – Jan 5 2018

The Lawman – Dec 22 2017

The Lawman – Dec 8 2017

The Lawman – Nov 3

The Lawman – Oct 20 2017

The Lawman – Sept 28 2017

The Lawman – Sep 15 2017

The Lawman – April 7 2017

The Lawman – Mar 24 2017

The Lawman – Mar 10 2017

The Lawman – Feb 24 2017

The Lawman – Feb 10 2017

The Lawman – Jan 27 2017

The Lawman – Jan 13

The Lawman – Dec 23

The Lawman – Dec 9

The Lawman – Nov 25

The Lawman – Oct 28

The Lawman – Oct 14 2016

The Lawman – Sept 29 2016

The Lawman – Sept 16 2016

Contact BV Officiating