Stewards News and Information

Open letter from Sport Australia

The following is an open-letter written by Sport Australia's Acting CEO Rob Dalton to all volunteers and participants involved in sport across all levels.

Sport has been in survival mode. For the past few months, Sport Australia has been trying to support all sports dealing with these unprecedented challenges. It’s more than the financial strain, there has been a huge emotional toll.

So it was with optimism and pride that we were able to launch the Return to Sport Toolkit this week, moving a step closer to the resumption of community sport. Sport, we firmly believe, can play a prominent role in lifting the nation’s energy and spirits again.
 
First up, let’s bust some myths about the Return to Sport Toolkit.
 
I can assure you, grandparents are not banned from watching their grandkids play sport.
 
Nor are we enforcing one parent to sit alone in the car instead of cheering on from the sideline.
 
Our intention is not to burden millions of sporting volunteers with rules and red tape. Indeed, this Toolkit is designed to give them a helping hand and peace of mind for a safe and successful return to sport at all levels.
 
Put yourself in this scenario, the local junior netball or footy competition has been given consent by the local state Government to resume. Children, families and communities flock to a congested local venue en masse to cheer on the kids and celebrate.
 
Now think about the role of sporting officials, the bulk of them volunteers, who are trying to manage everything from competition schedules, venue preparation, match officials, operational procedures. Then add the complexity of a pandemic, where they need to consider crowd management and social distancing for public safety.
 
As we contemplate the return to community sport, there are two key priorities. The first is supporting our sporting administrators, many of them volunteers. The second is winning back our participants.
 
Sport Australia’s AusPlay research conducted just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic reveals Australian sport and physical activity has about 3.1 million volunteers.
 
The biggest segment is 35-54-year-old parents.
 
Sport has the largest volunteer base in this country and one study has previously valued this contribution at $3 billion per year. The reality is, sport’s volunteers are priceless. Australian sport, as we know it, cannot survive without them.
 
But this is no regular return to sport, like a new season. We cannot blow a whistle and just re-start play, expecting things will immediately return to normal, as we’ve always known it.
 
That’s why the Toolkit has been developed, with checklist that give our community clubs guidance. They are adaptable for small to large organisations, with templates that everyone can customise to their own circumstances.
 
We have, of course, made recommendations to try and ensure the safest sporting environments. We recommend, if possible, that one parent or guardian attend along with each child as sport resumes. In many cases this guardian may well be a grandparent.
 
If you happen to be at a venue where you can watch the action from the car, it may be suitable for parents and guardians to view from there.
 
We will all have to play a role in a safe and sensible return to sport. We may only get one shot at it this year, so we need to do it right.
 
Taking this approach will also give participants the confidence they are returning to safe sporting environments.
 
Just as we do not take our volunteers for granted, we desperately need our participants.
 
Many Australians have no doubt adapted their activity during COVID-19. It may be running around the block, cycling on trails, creating home gyms and following online sporting drills.
 
Sport offers so many benefits these activities can’t. Social connection and friendships. A sense of purpose, whether it’s overcoming your own challenges or uniting with teammates for a common goal. The thrill of competition, win, lose or draw. The euphoria of kicking a goal, the resilience of learning from an error and getting better each time.
 
We cannot decide when sport returns, those are the decisions for State and Territory Governments and are based on the very best health advice. Public safety is paramount.
 
But when sport is back, we will need you all back too. Join a team, sign-up for a membership, volunteer to help.
 
Let’s ensure sport doesn’t just survive, but it thrives again

Return to Race - Stewards COVID19 Update

Motorsport Australia is committed to the safe and socially responsible resumption of motorsport in a COVID-19 environment. This document details the requirements for officials to comply with Motorsport Australia’s Return to Race strategy for the resumption of motorsport activity under COVID-19 restrictions. Click here for the full Motorsport Australia Return to Race documentation page

Stewards are advised to regularly visit the Motorsport Australia website for the latest information on event changes and any cancellation notices.

The MotorsportJAC website will also continue to update any event changes via the Stewards’ Email Notification service which is managed by each state’s allocation officer. However, due to the current daily changing situation stewards are advised to contact the event organisers to ensure their event is still proceeding. Do not rely solely on the Email Notification.

MotorsportJAC can offer the following advice for Stewards;

All stewards that have been appointed to events are reminded to follow the government’s advice, and if they feel unwell should not attend.

If for any reason you are unable to attend an event, you can also advise your state allocation officer online at motorsportJAC.org by logging into the Stewards’ section.

Go to the website https://www.motorsportjac.org

  • Click on the blue Login button located at top right corner of the page
  • Log in with your Motorsport Australia Licence number and your password.
  • If you have forgotten your password or have not previously logged into this site, click on the "Retrieve or Forgotten Password" link on the login prompt screen. If you are still having difficulties logging in, please follow the instruction at the end of the article.

Once you have successfully logged in you are directed to the Edit My Details page.

If the displayed information is correct, click on the button ‘Exit without Saving’

If not, please make the necessary changes and click on the ‘Update my Changes’ to save your changes.

Also under the My Details menu is a sub-menu My Roster (Coming Events) click on this menu to list the events you have been appointed to.

Following the onscreen instructions for - Now Unable to Steward at an Event

It is as easy as selecting the event(s) you are unable to attend, click the email icon, and then click the Send button on the onscreen form. (Leave the message box clear if you like)

 

Should you require any assistance logging into the website, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, officials's licence number and mobile number.

Regards,
MotorsportJAC

Motorsport Australia Uniforms - Stewards

Motorsport Australia Stewards,
As you would be well aware, the Motorsport Australia brand officially came into effect on 1 January 2020. Since then, we have continued to roll out new staff and volunteer uniforms across the entire country. In recent weeks, Motorsport Australia has reviewed the uniform implementation schedule and we can now confirm that we will take the following actions to support National Appointed Officials and Stewards through the uniform transition:
  • The original deadline date of 31 March as the last day CAMS branded uniform can be worn will now be extended to 30 June, 2020 with regular observation and review
  • National Appointed Officials and Stewards will have the opportunity to purchase relevant merchandise (this does not extend to official Motorsport Australia staff uniform) at a reduced cost

Please note that only the National Appointed Officials and Stewards are required to wear the Motorsport Australia uniform. Motorsport Australia have not, and will not require anyone to purchase uniform. It is an option available to officials. All stewards are supplied a name badge and are free to wear their own attire to events. We have received feedback about the use of patches, however to ensure consistency of application and quality of presentation, this is not a suitable option.
 
One of our core values at Motorsport Australia is respect and we can assure everyone that we are forever grateful for the contribution of all volunteers, including the unwavering commitment of our Stewards and Officials. We hope that the above actions address the concerns you have raised.
 
Regards,
Motorsport Australia Management