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2012 organisers launch search for new generation of umpires
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent24.03.09
HUNDREDS of Londoners are being invited to train as referees, umpires and scorers in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.
Up to 600 bursaries will be offered over the next three years to create officials who will be qualified in 17 Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Boosting the number of sports officials is an important aspect of the legacy of the London Olympics and is one of the goals of the Evening Standard's 2012 sports legacy campaign.
The programme - Official Sports London - is open to anyone aged 16 or more and is run by Sports England and the London Development Agency.
Successful applicants will be matched with one of the participating sports governing bodies for an intensive course and will have to officiate for at least 15 hours before qualifying.
Kate Hoey, the Mayor's commissioner for sport, said: "As well as the obvious sporting benefits, the skills learnt as an official are an asset in many other facets of life."
Among graduates from a pilot scheme is Luana Valentini, a building site manager who is training to become a volleyball line judge.
Ms Valentini, 32, from Sutton, recently officiated at an international held in Tooting between Australia and New Zealand.
She said: "Volleyball is a fantastic sport and I wanted to get involved in supporting it in the UK. I hope others will sign up and see how rewarding it is."
Reader views (7)
Collette you need to see http://www.officialsports.org
- Carol, West Dulwich, London
Time to lobby non - labour MP`s on a total rethink on whether we, the people want to subsidise Coe`s gravy train.
If we spent a tenth of the money lavished on the olympics and it’s parasitic entourage for health and exercise in schools (the only arena where kids can’t opt out), then we might see some improvement in the future.
The con that is the idea that olympics = more enthusiasm for fitness is not proven - most will sit cheering in front of a screen, mouths crammed full of fast food!
And incidentally - don’t advertise medal winners as "Olympians" - Olympians were Greek gods who resided on mount Olympus, so speaking as an atheist, God knows what Zeus would have made of it all!
- Darius Midwinter, London UK
What a ghastly thought!
- Dee, london
There must be lots of opportunities for work - eg office jobs, etc. Where can we get information on these jobs and where do we apply.
- Collette, Surbiton, England
What a waste of money. Scrap the Olympics now and spend the money re-training people for real jobs. Out of work ex-IT, I could do with some training!
- Lb, Bromley
The International match in Tooting was not between Australia and New Zealand. It was between the London Malory Women's team and the Australian U19 Women.
And the pay - it is voluntary, the Line Judges do not get paid.
- Charlie Orton, London
Whats the pay like? As its going to cost us taxpayers a fortune may as well try to make something out of the fiasco
- Mike, London England
