Officials Resources
No competition happens without officials. Every race started, every throw measured and every result that ends up on the national records page went through someone standing in the middle of it.
Athletics Cook Islands is a member federation of World Athletics, so the officials education pathway is open to Cook Islands officials.
What officials actually do
There is more to it than one job, and most people start by helping with whichever one is short on the day.
- Track judges decide placings and watch for lane infringements
- Field judges measure and record jumps and throws, and rule on legal attempts
- Starters and recallers get every race away fairly
- Timekeepers record the times, whether by hand or with the electronic system
- Marshals keep athletes and the public where they should be
- Recorders handle the paperwork that turns a competition into published results
The education pathway
World Athletics runs the Technical Officials Education and Certification System, usually shortened to TOECS. It is offered as a service to member federations, which is how a Cook Islands official gets on it.
There is a separate certification system for race walking judges.
The full detail sits on the World Athletics officials education page (opens in a new tab).
The rules you will be applying
Cook Islands competitions run under the World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules, the same rules used at the Olympic Games. Those are worth reading before your first meet, and worth having open during one.
More about the competition rules.
Getting started
You do not need a qualification to help at your first competition. Most officials start by turning up, being shown one job, and doing that job.
Our Officials Manager is Mary Strickland, and she is the person to talk to about both helping out and getting qualified.
Contact details are here, or read more about officiating and volunteering.
Local course dates and the Cook Islands officials pathway detail are still to come.