This study examined how referees' experiences impact their behaviors by surveying touch football referees in Canberra, Australia. The survey found that the main reasons referees do not participate in higher level competitions are lack of time (50% of respondents) and player abuse (30% of respondents). While over 70% of referees had more than 5 years of experience and the required level to referee nationally, only 40% attended national/international events, preferring local winter competitions. The discussion concludes that cost, travel time, and dealing with unprofessional players at higher levels likely prevent more referees from participating in bigger tournaments.

1. How do Referees Experience
Impact on Their Behaviours
Peter Fan
Special Sport Studies, University of Canberra
u3045273@uni.canberra.edu.au
INTRODUCTION
RESULTS
Touch Football is one of the most extensively played sports in Australia,
according to Australian Human Rights Commission, 13% of males and 7%
of females play touch in Australia, and there are as many as 700, 000 of
Australians plays this sport on a casual basis [1]. From lunch time social
games, to elite level competitions such as National touch league and the
touch world cup.
To be more specific, Canberra has the greatest number of touch players
per capita of all major cities [1], 16%. According to the Touch football
Australia 2011/2012 Annual Report [2], “Referees are important part of
the infrastructure at TFACT, as is the case in all grassroots sports”.
Furthermore, in sport development key result areas, target 3d,
mentoring was identified as a vital element to the supportive structure
with refereeing.
Yet, in ACT, more referees are needed; but not only in ACT, in national
events too. What prevent referees for not participating in higher
competitions?
The main reason for not refereeing is because of a lack of time for about 50% of the
participants, followed closely by player abuse, and cost with almost 30% of the
respondents.
Over 70% of the participants have been refereeing for more than 5 years,
and more than 60% have a level 3 or above referee level. A level 3 allows
them participate in national competition. It also shows that the
participants are experienced and have skills.
Purpose: to determine to what extend internal and external factors
have an impact on the referees behaviours*.
* If the referees go to work.
The participants were asked a series of questions (10) relating to
refereeing experiences, and internal and external factors that affect
their refereeing behaviours.
We can understand that most referees go to the winter competitions rather than the
national / international competitions in terms of timing. Winter competitions are
locals, they just require a few hours at night, unlike national or international
tournaments which are far away and are spread on several days. According to Touch
Football ACT, over 45% of players and referees reported that it were taking them
between 21 to 40 minutes to go to Deakin [4]. And in relation to cost, it can be too
expensive for the referees to travel far away for competitions. Finally, players abuse
are probably most likely to happen during higher level of competitions, and
unprofessional referees may find it difficult to cope with it.
ACT should have an organisation to reduce cost like organising share transport and
run some refereeing skill sessions to tackle how to deal with different situations like
player abuses.
METHOD
Surveys were distributed online by using a website called “survey
monkey” and a mass mail has been sent via ACT Touch football office to
collect referees’ feedback.
DISCUSSION
60% of the respondents referee during the winter competitions at least
once a week. But barely 40% attend national / international competitions
while the majority of the referees interviewed are qualified to participate
in national events. So the referees interviewed seem to prefer to go to
lower competition levels rather than bigger tournaments.
REFERENCES
1. Fitness for Referees. Australia Touch Association. Retrieved from http://www.sportingpulse.com/get_file.cgi?id=514541, 1995
2. Australian Human Rights Commission. (2012).Touch Football. Retrieved from
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/racial_discrimination/whats_the_score/pdf/whats_the_score_report.pdf
3. Oldswothy, T. (1992). The Physiological Requirements of Rugby League Referees, unpublished thesis, University of Sydney
4. Touch Football ACT. (2011). Deakin Competition Survey, Season 1.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of this survey and research was to see if the external and internal
factors that referees experience has an impact on their referee behaviours. We
noticed that while 70% of the participants are experienced referees, they don’t
participate in higher performance competitions very much. Reasons for not
refereeing were mostly because of a lack of time and because of disrespectful
players.