Officiating is a crucial element in the development of judo and in maintaining the integrity of competition judo at levels of events throughout the country. Officiating is challenging, rewarding and above all great fun. Officiating helps equip people with skills such as confidence and decisiveness that are applicable in everyday life.

Whether you want to officiate at your local club or local competitions, run local events, officiate at national events or run national events, there are officiating roles at all levels where you can put your knowledge and passion for judo to use.

Technical Official involves;

  • Timekeeper – Responsible for keeping track of the contest time, scores and penalties awarded to each player.
  • Contest Recorder – Responsible for recording contest results and calling the players to the mat. Contest recorders can also run very small events.
  • Senior Recorder – Responsible for placing players into and running pools and running medium sized events.
  • Competition Controller – Responsible for the running of larger events. They complete the draw, prepare the timetable and take overall responsibility for all the officials.

You do not have to have ever stepped on a judo mat to be a Technical Official, including Competition Controller. Although officials need to have good communications skills and work well as part of a team.

If you want to be involved why not focus on the following areas;

  • Offer to help at your local competitions – If you are already attending competitions in your local area.
  • Speak to the Tournament Director or the person in charge of officials and offer your services as an assistant Timekeeper. They will then sit you with a Timekeeper or Contest Recorder who will bring you up to speed.
  • Visit the NI Judo Federation website for an up to date competition calendar nijudo.comwhere you can offer to help.
  • You need to get your Technical Officials attendance log sheet signed at three such events, at least one of the signatories being a minimum of Senior Recorder.
  • You then send the form into Head Office of the British Judo Association and you are a qualified Timekeeper.