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The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced a new media campaign for the Year of the Official, aimed at challenging the culture of abuse and harassment towards umpires, referees and judges.

The national media campaign for Year of the Official is promoting the key message: Time to respect the official, sport.

Speaking in Melbourne at today’s media launch at the beginning of the summer sports season, Senator Kemp said the Australian Sports Commission’s media campaign highlighted the need for change in community attitudes and behaviour towards sports officials.

‘Time to respect the official, sport sums it up,’ Senator Kemp said. ‘The entire sporting community needs to take action to stamp out abuse and drive a change in attitudes and culture.

‘Abuse is a major reason for a decline in the numbers of officials. This campaign is a reminder for the sports community to recognise and respect the vital role officials play in ensuring sport is played fairly, by the rules and in a fun, safe environment—from the grassroots to the elite level.’

The media campaign involves 30-second community service announcements for television and radio, print advertisements, plus posters and other promotional material addressing entrenched community attitudes.

The Australian Sports Commission is also conducting an education campaign through Administrator Education Workshops around the country to improve the competencies of officials at all levels and is working with sporting organisations to help improve the behaviour and attitudes of participants, and enhance the competencies, education and skills of officials.

Senator Kemp also announced a National Officiating Scholarship Program. The Program will be managed by the ASC and will provide training and development of officials and will be a companion program to the highly successful National Coaching Scholarship Program.

Time to respect the official, sport is part of a wider, ongoing Year of the Official campaign that AFL and Cricket have already actively embraced through the Whistling in Harmony and Spirit of the Game initiatives.

A key objective of the Year of the Official is to attract, develop and retain officials in Australian sport. For more information, visit www.ausport.gov.au/yearoftheofficial.

Media contact: Richard Wise Minister’s Office 03 9650 7274 or 0438 204 554