The Department of Tourism and Culture has launched Round 2 of the Officiating Development Program which provides grants to strengthen the quality of sport in the Territory.

The Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) Officiating Development Program is open to all NT Peak Sporting Bodies that have an officiating accreditation framework and pathway.

The development program has two funding categories:

• Category 1: Accreditation Courses and Competitions

• Category 2: Officiating Coaches/Educators

Category 1 aims to improve the skills, knowledge and experience of accredited officials with sport in the NT.  Category 2 aims are to assist sports with the education and coaching of officials in the NT.

Administered by the NTIS, Peak Sporting Bodies can apply for one or both of the categories and receive up to $4,000 per category (to a maximum of $8,000 in total).

Department of Tourism and Culture NTIS Director, Dr Ian Ford, said the program was an important initiative to strengthen the capability and capacity of sport organisations to assess, coach and educate other NT officials.

“The NTIS encourages all Peak Sporting Bodies to apply for the Officiating Development Program, which is designed specifically to provide greater focus on assisting sports to develop their officials as well as coaches and educators of officials.

“Sport is an important part of life in the Territory and these grants are a really great way to strengthen the quality of sport available for Territorians, while also rewarding and recognising sporting officials and their contribution to sport in the community.

“The Officiating Development Program provides assistance for sports in the NT to develop their officials and assist with their pathway programs.

“With the Arafura Games to be hosted in 2019 sports involved will need to ensure there are enough appropriately qualified local officials” said Dr Ford.

The grants opened on Monday 26 February and applications close Friday 30 March 2018.

The NT Government has committed a total of $40,000 towards the Officiating Development Program, and complements the NTIS High Performance Officiating Program.

To find out more or to apply visit https://dtc.nt.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/northern-territory-institute-of-sport/officiating, or contact Graham Glassford directly on 8922 6841 or by emailing: ntis.coachandofficial@nt.gov.au

ENDS

Media interview
Department of Tourism and Culture Director of NTIS, Dr Ian Ford.

Media contact
Department of Tourism and Culture | Media Manager 0476 844 832