Clare Dowdall, Sport Ireland Officials Development Manager, said: “The first step in our plan to transform and elevate the role of officiating in Irish sport was the launch of our Technical Officials Development Plan 2025–2027. Now with this survey we’re gathering information that will guide our next steps to promote a safe, respectful; environment for technical officials and implement a national respect campaign . We’re proud to be taking the lead in coordinating the first national approach to rebuilding, supporting, and safeguarding the officiating community.”
To take part in this research, you can access the survey here Respect The Official Coach/Athlete/Spectator Survey.
The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
It is open to players, coaches, or spectators who have encountered a sports official at a competition/game over the past season.
Once the survey is completed the research and stakeholder input will be developed into actionable insights to help develop a national respect campaign to address the issues raised through the Sport Ireland Respect the Officials working group.
About the survey
Responses to this survey will be anonymous and confidential. All data will be stored in compliance with GDPR principles. The survey features some questions about behaviours toward sport officials. This includes behaviours you have witnessed or demonstrated and includes both negative behaviours (eg, abuse) and positive behaviours (eg, praise, thanks).
You must be older than 18 years to take part in this survey.
The survey will be conducted by University Of Ulster.