Introduction
Sports officials play an important role in regulating sport to ensure the safety of participants and others involved in the game.
Sports rules and regulations are constantly developing to improve the experience for participants, and to provide spectators with greater enjoyment and, often to provide the media with greater levels of excitement.
Governing bodies have realised that the more exciting their sport is, the more popular and marketable it is, which can lead to more people participating at a competitive level. Governing bodies are responsible for the rule changes and are responsible for enforcing them throughout their sport.
Governing bodies have recognised that match officials are often former players or those with practical experience of the game. However due to the changing nature of sports, which have become faster and more physically demanding, they have turned to the younger generations to start officiating as early as possible.
