Dr Tom Webb

Great to be in Copenhagen for the kick-off meeting for the REFS project.

This is a reaply important project focused on young officials, their recruitment and retention and how to attract more young people into officiating. More details on the project here - www.coventry.ac.uk/research/res...

Tom Foley: Rugby match official to leave role Match official Tom Foley is to leave his role at the Rugby Football Union after 15 years' refereeing to

Another example of the cost of abuse towards sport officials. Rugby has lost one of their elite referees due to the abuse and 'vitriol' to which Tom Foley has been subjected. Abuse towards officials is a major concern across sports and countries.
#abuse #referees

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

The future for sport officiating research: an expert statement Research, coverage, and understanding in sport officiating related scholarly activity have increased markedly in the last decade. Sport officials (referees, judges, umpires) have been historically ...

Our latest research is free to read. We produced an expert statement on the future for sport officiating research. The work utilises a number of areas of research, all focused on developing research areas/ideas further.
#referees #umpires #sportofficials #research
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Top FIFA official says it's harder than ever to be a football referee due to abuse One of football's best-known referees has warned the behaviour of some managers and clubs has cast doubt over the integrity of officials.

I don't disagree...there's far too much referee abuse in football. The problem is that this has been the case for a considerable time and we need to back up the sentiment with actions. It is good to see recuritment is on the up, retaining those referees is another thing.
news.sky.com/story/top-fi...

Thanks to @drtomwebb.bsky.social’s leadership, our article, "The future for sport officiating research: An expert statement" is now available to read. It can be a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners alike. t.co/fzuajCMUxM #Referee #SportsOfficial cc: @refbooks.bsky.social

The future for sport officiating research: an expert statement Research, coverage, and understanding in sport officiating related scholarly activity have increased markedly in the last decade. Sport officials (referees, judges, umpires) have been historically ...

Latest research - free to access.
This work provides avenues for collaboration focused on changes for organisations, policy makers & officials. The statement utilises a number of areas of officiating research, all focused on developing the research areas further.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

County Durham rugby union referees abandon game over abuse - BBC News Three referees in County Durham quit after criticism from players, club officials and spectators.

Worrying signs in rugby union. The story states that referees feel unsafe and are leaving due to the increased abuse - this is a big concern given the challenges around recuritment and retention of officials. Lets hope raising the issue helps to deal with the problem.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Assaulting a sports official should be a felony offense, whether actual bodily harm occurs or not. Give them protected class, as given to teachers, transit workers and others.

Parent Arrested for Assaulting Referee at Youth Basketball Tournament In the video, multiple adults can be seen rushing across the basketball court toward the referee. A few seconds later, the referee can be seen falling to the floor.

Incidents like this happen far too often to sport officials. Abuse happens towards officials across sports and countries. We are currently researching the interactions between youth officials and parents to understand and improve the sporting environment.
www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/s...

Managing and Developing Sports Officials: Officiating Excellence This book offers an evidence-based guide to the development, management, and retention of sports officials. Drawing on research at all levels of sport, from grassroots to professional, this book focus...

"Managing and Developing Sports Officials” is now available in paperback. The book links research and practice and is a great resource for sport administrators, officials themselves, and all involved in sport officiating. Please connect if you want to know more.
www.routledge.com/Managing-and...

Managing and Developing Sports Officials: Officiating Excellence This book offers an evidence-based guide to the development, management, and retention of sports officials. Drawing on research at all levels of sport, from grassroots to professional, this book focus...

“Managing and Developing Sports Officials” is available in paperback. The book connects research w/ practice and is a great resource for sports admins, referees, and all involved in sports officiating. Please connect if your organization would like to learn more. www.routledge.com/Managing-and...

“What are we looking at?”: the development and implementation of a performance analysis framework for netball umpires Technology is progressively being used in sports development, with video feedback playing a central role in performance analysis (PA). However, the impact of PA on learning remains unclear. This st...

Just published - We created, validated, and implemented a self-controlled performance analysis framework, for sport officials. Results showed improvements in performance scores, which was a very positive outcome.

Some free copies available below - if those run out, get in touch

Here’s a starter pack of sociologists if sport. It’s mainly UK based at the moment, but add you name below if you want to be added to the list go.bsky.app/BKgUU5v

Starter pack for Mental Health and Physical Activity Research - please take a look, share or ask to join!

go.bsky.app/tSiurc

Managing and Developing Sports Officials: Officiating Excellence This book offers an evidence-based guide to the development, management, and retention of sports officials. Drawing on research at all levels of sport, from grassroots to professional, this book focus...

We published "Managing and Developing Sports Officials" in August.
The books is designed to bridge the gap between research & practice, and to be an essential resource for anyone involved in the world of sport officiating. Feel free to get in touch with questions.

www.routledge.com/Managing-and...

Really looking forward to presenting at the PGMOL EDI in Match Officiating summit today. I'll be talking about our research in sport officiating and developments, some of which are linked to the EDI space.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) in Match Officiating Summit by PGMOL Join us for a day of learning and discussion on promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in match officiating with PGMOL!

I'll be speaking at the inaugural EDI in Match Officiating Summit organised by PGMOL tomorrow. This is the first time an event focused on ED & I has explored officiating. Our research has started to consider marginalised/under represented groups, and this summit will develop understanding further.