Officials

A journey from Goalball UK Activator to the Paralympic games.

From starting out as a Goalball UK activator there is a pathway in place to take you all the way to officiating at the Paralympic games and everything in between.

There are two levels to the Goalball UK official’s pathway that feed up into three levels of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) pathway. Officials at all levels of the pathway support Goalball UK competitions. To find out more about Goalball UK competitions click here.

Wherever you are on the pathway, Goalball UK are here to support your development and ambitions.

For more information about starting your officiating journey, please contact Steve Cox at Steve.cox@goalballuk.com or call 07706286584.

Officials Pathway

IBSA Goalball Level 3 Referee

Can undertake all officiating roles at all levels in Goalball UK competitions.

For Paralympic Games and World Championships, all referees must have level 3 certification.

To maintain their qualification level 3 referees must referee a minimum of eight (8) games at one or more local or international tournaments and referee a minimum of ten (10) games at one or more international events (total 18 games).

IBSA Goalball Level 2 Referee

Can undertake all officiating roles at all levels in Goalball UK competitions.

For Regional Championships and Youth World Championships all referees must have minimum Level two (2) certification.

To maintain their qualification level 2 referees must referee eight (8) games at one or more local or international tournaments and referee a minimum of four (4) games at one or more international tournament (total 12 games).

To progress to IBSA level 3 you must have at least 3 years of practical national and international experience between level 2 and level 3.

IBSA Goalball Level 1 Referee

Can undertake all officiating roles at all levels in Goalball UK competitions.

Table officials (Timer and Scorer) at the IBSA Sanction events must be IBSA certified. Ten Second Timers must have the same level certification as per the referees for the same event.

Level 1 referees can referee (whistle) non IBSA sanctioned international events to gain experience.

To maintain their qualification level 1 referees must referee a minimum of eight (8) games at one or more local or international tournaments (total 8 games).

To progress to IBSA level 2 you must have at least 2 years of practical national and international experience between level 1 and level 2.

Goalball UK Referee

At this level you can referee at Goalball UK Novice and Intermediate levels and undertake all table officiating roles at all levels. With experience (1-2 years refereeing) you can progress to referee at Goalball UK Super League level competitions and progress to an IBSA Level 1 referee. It is recommended you referee at least one Goalball UK Super League tournament before completing your IBSA level 1 certification.

Goalball UK Activator

Will have a basic understanding of the game, the rules and the officiating roles by undertaking the Goalball UK Introduction to Officiating course. Can Goal Judge and table officiate at Goalball UK domestic tournaments.