perceptions of nz sports officials andrew hercus, jan charbonneau, ron garland, warren smith

Perceptions of NZ Sports Officials

Andrew Hercus, Jan Charbonneau, Ron Garland, Warren Smith

Introduction

• Without independent and unbiased officials and officiating, any sport would fall into disarray. While the crucial role played by sports officials is widely acknowledged, there has been little research other than anecdotal about how sports officials are perceived by the general public.

Survey

• A mail survey was sent to a random sample of 1800 New Zealanders to determine their overall opinion of sports officials, their performance on the field, the influence they have over the outcome of the game, and whether they should be held accountable for their decisions. Respondents were also asked the sources they used to obtain their sports information and the level of abuse faced by sports officials.

Response Rate

• A total of 692 valid questionnaires were processed for an effective response rate of 40%. Not surprisingly, respondents indicated Rugby, Netball, Cricket and Soccer as the top four favourite sports.

Level of Involvement in Favourite Sport

109 15%

522 73%

720 100%

Currently a player, athlete or competitor

Currently a coach, manager or administrator

Currently an official

Currently a spectator or follower

N Percent

Responses

Overall Opinion of Sports Officials

NegativeNeutralPositive

Opinion of Sports Officials

Overall Opinion by Favourite Sport

66% 63% 70% 48%

28% 33% 24% 46%

6% 3% 6% 7%

100% 100% 100% 100%

Positive

Neutral

Negative

Rugby Netball Cricket Soccer

Favourite Sport - Top 4 sports

Characteristics of Effective Officiating

• Based on previous studies into officiating effectiveness, a suite of general characteristics required for effective officiating was obtained. Respondent were asked to rank the importance of each of the following characteristics for officials in their favourite sport:

• makes impartial decisions• makes clear rulings• makes accurate decisions• understands the rules of the game• applies the rules consistently• maintains control of the game & players

Impartial Decisions

Extremely Important

Quite Important

Somewhat Important

Not very Important

Not Important

An effective Official in my favourite sport makes impartial decisions

Clear Rulings

Extremely Important

Quite Important

Somewhat Important

Not very Important

Not Important

An effective Official in my favourite sport makes clear rulings

Accurate Decisions

Extremely Important

Quite Important

Somewhat Important

Not very Important

Not Important

An effective Official in my favourite sport makes accurate decisions

Rules of the Game

Extremely Important

Quite Important

Somewhat Important

Not very Important

Not Important

An effective Official in my favourite sport understands the rules of the game

9%2%1%

Consistent Application of Rules

Extremely Important

Quite Important

Somewhat Important

Not very Important

Not Important

An effective Official in my favourite sport applies the rules consistently

Maintaining Control

Extremely Important

Quite Important

Somewhat Important

Not very Important

Not Important

An effective Official in my favourite sport maintains control of the game and players

5%1%1%

Implications

• Clearly, respondents were concerned with officials’ understanding and consistent application of the rules of the game with 88% and 81% respectively

• Results for the remaining four characteristics were comparable, with 69 – 72% of respondents judging them to be extremely important.

Evaluation of Officiating Performance

• Respondents were asked to assess the effectiveness of the main official (referee, umpire or judge) in a recent game of their favourite sport using the same suite of characteristics. Results were analysed for the sample as a whole as well as the Top 4 Favourite Sports with comments made when substantive differences were noted.

Performance – Impartial Decisions

Strongly Agree

AgreeNeither Agree or Disagree

DisagreeStrongly Disagree

Main Official in my favourite sport made impartial decisions

Performance – Clear Rulings

Strongly Agree

Main Official in my favourite sport made clear rulings

Main Official in Rugby – Clear Rulings

Strongly Agree

Main Official in Rugby made clear rulings

17%13%

Performance – Accurate Decisions

Strongly Agree

Main Official in my favourite sport made accurate decisions

Performance – Understanding Rules

Strongly Agree

Main Official in my favourite sport understood the rules of the game

Performance – Consistent Application

Strongly Agree

Main Official applied the rules consistently

19%17%

Performance – Maintaining Control

Strongly Agree

Main Official in my favourite sport maintained control of the game and players

Implications

Characteristics Positive Neutral Negative

Impartial Decisions 3.9 3.4 2.5

Clear Rulings 4.0 3.5 2.7

Accurate Decisions 3.7 3.2 2.1

Understanding of Rules 4.3 3.7 3.2

Consistent Application 3.8 3.2 2.1

Maintains Control 4.0 3.6 2.9

Influence of Sports Officials

• Anecdotally, there is growing concern that officials may have a disproportionate influence over the outcome of the game and are not held accountable or called upon to explain their decisions in a public forum.

• Respondents were asked their opinion as to the

amount of influence officials exert over the outcome of the game. They were also asked whether officials should be accountable for their decisions and, if so, to whom.

Influence over Outcome of Game

Too littleAbout rightToo much

Influence of Official

Differences by Favourite Sport, Level of Interest & Level of Involvement

40% 26% 24% 30%

60% 72% 75% 67%

1% 2% 2% 2%

100% 100% 100% 100%

Too much

About right

Too little

Implications

• The majority of respondents believed the amount of influence officials have over the outcome the game was ‘just right’ however almost one-third believed the influence was ‘too much’. Direct involvement in sport at some level served to amplify the sense that officials may be exerting more influence than acceptable.

Accountability of Sports Officials

• Respondents were asked whether they believed professional or amateur officials should be required to explain or justify their decisions and if so, to whom. Respondents were given guidance as to what constitutes professional sports officials e.g. Super 14 referees and amateur sports officials e.g. local club referees.

Professional Officials

Should Professional Officials be required to explain their decisions?

Who should Professional Officials be Accountable to?

435 35%

423 34%

186 15%

205 16%

1249 100%

Players

Coaches

Supporters or Spectators

N Percent

Responses

Amateur Officials

Should Amateur Officials be required to explain their decisions?

Who should Amateur Officials be Accountable to?

371 40%

346 38%

111 12%

91 10%

919 100%

Players

Coaches

Supporters or Spectators

N Percent

Responses

Implications

• These results indicate that amateur officials are not held to the same standard of accountability as professional officials. However, respondents believe both amateur and professional officials should primarily be accountable for those directly involved in the sport (players and coaches).

Officials and the Media

• Respondents were asked whether professional, international and amateur sports officials should be available for questioning by the media after games. Respondents were given guidance as to what constitutes international sports officials e.g. Olympic judges.

Professional and International Officials

Strongly Agree

Should Professional Officials be available for questioning by the Media after the game?

International Officials and Media Questioning

Strongly Agree

Should International Officials be available for questioning by the Media after the game?

Amateur Officials and Media Questioning

Strongly Agree

Should Amateur Officials be available for questioning by the Media after the game?

Implications

• The expectations of the general public that amateur officials will justify their decisions to the media are substantially lower than those for paid professional and internationally ranked officials.

• Not surprisingly, respondents with officiating experience disagreed or strongly disagreed with officials being available for questioning

Questioning of Professional Officials by Experience

8% 11%

12% 14%

19% 14%

43% 38%

18% 23%

100% 100%

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree or Disagree

Strongly Agree

No Yes

Experienced as asports official

Sources of Sports Information

• Many things can influence opinions about the performance of sports officials besides an individual’s personal experience with the sport. Respondents were asked the amount of notice they paid to a range of sources of sports information (commentary or discussion) and how trustworthy they believed the sources to be.

Notice Taken of Match Commentators

Lots of NoticeSome NoticeLittle NoticeNo Notice

Notice taken of Match Commentators

Notice Taken of Players

Notice taken of Players

Notice Taken of Coaches

Notice taken of Coaches

Notice Taken of Journalists

Notice taken of Journalists

Notice Taken of Friends and Associates

Notice taken of Friends and Associates

Notice Taken of Online Social Networks

Notice taken of Online Social Networks

Notice Taken of TV Sports Shows

Notice taken of TV Sports Shows

29%28%

Implications

• These results suggest that respondents take more notice of sources closest to the action at the time of play – players, coaches and match commentators. As such, match commentators in particular have potential to influence perceptions of officiating performance for the viewing public.

Trustworthiness of Selected Sources

• Respondents were asked their opinions as to the trustworthiness of a range of sources of sports information. Trustworthiness was defined as knowledgeable, accurate, and impartial. Coaches and players were rated as the most trustworthy with 61% and 60% respectively rating them as quite or very trustworthy

• Not surprisingly, TV sports shows and online social networks were judged the least trustworthy (Figures 47 and 46).

Trustworthiness of Match Commentators

Very Trustworthy

Quite Trustworthy

Somewhat Trustworthy

Not at all trustworthy

How trustworthy are Match Commentators?

Trustworthiness of Players

Very Trustworthy

Quite Trustworthy

How trustworthy are Players?

Trustworthiness of Coaches

Very Trustworthy

Quite Trustworthy

How trustworthy are Coaches?

Trustworthiness of Journalists

Very Trustworthy

Quite Trustworthy

How trustworthy are Journalists?

Trustworthiness of Friends and Associates

Very Trustworthy

Quite Trustworthy

How trustworthy are Friends and Associates?

Trustworthiness of Online Social Networks

Very Trustworthy

Quite Trustworthy

How trustworthy are Online Social Networks?

Trustworthiness of TV Sports Shows

Very Trustworthy

Quite Trustworthy

How trustworthy are TV Sports Shows?

Implications

• The findings suggest that respondents feel that sources closest to the action at the time of play are more trustworthy – players, coaches and match commentators.

• Also interesting is the low proportion of respondents who believe any of the sources of sports information are ‘very trustworthy’ and both the limited amount of notice and trustworthiness assigned to online sources and television shows.

• When analysed by the Top 4 Favourite Sports, the only

difference found was relative to the trustworthiness of coaches.

Trustworthiness of Coaches by Favourite Sport

2% 4% 2% 8%

26% 38% 42% 42%

61% 45% 51% 44%

11% 12% 5% 6%

100% 100% 100% 100%

Quite Trustworthy

Very Trustworthy

Media as Sources of Sports Information

• Respondents were asked to indicate, on average, how many hours per week they spend watching, reading or listening to sports coverage on each of the following media: television, magazines, newspapers, radio and the Internet. Respondents were categorised into non-users (not at all), light users (overall up to 3 hours), moderate users (overall up to 10 hours) and heavy users (more than 10 hours).

TV as Source of Sports Information

More than 10 hours

Up to 10 hours

Up to 5 hours

Up to 3 hours

1 hour or less

Not at all

On average, hour many hours per week do you spend watching Sport on TV?

29%31%

Magazines as Source of Sports Information

More than 10 hours

Up to 10 hours

Up to 5 hours

Up to 3 hours

1 hour or less

Not at all

On average, hour many hours per week do you spend reading about Sport in Magazines?

Newspapers as Source of Sports Information

More than 10 hours

Up to 10 hours

Up to 5 hours

Up to 3 hours

1 hour or less

Not at all

On average, hour many hours per week do you spend reading about Sport in Newspapers?

Radio as Source of Sports Information

More than 10 hours

Up to 10 hours

Up to 5 hours

Up to 3 hours

1 hour or less

Not at all

On average, hour many hours per week do you spend listening to Sport on the Radio?

The Internet as Source of Sports Information

More than 10 hours

Up to 10 hours

Up to 5 hours

Up to 3 hours

1 hour or less

Not at all

On average, hour many hours per week do you spend watching/reading/listening to sport on the Internet?

Implications

• Newspapers, television and radio appear to be the preferred source of sports information overall, however the majority of respondents are light users of these media. Television is the main overall source of sports information.

Abuse of Officials

• Abuse has been identified in previous studies as a source of stress and burnout for officials and one of the reasons why individuals cease officiating. Respondents were asked whether they believed the level of abuse of sports officials has increased or decreased over the past 5 years. They were asked about the acceptability of varying levels of abuse and the impact of abuse on their own enjoyment of the game.

Abuse of Officials over Last Five Years

Stayed about the sameDecreasedIncreased

Do you think that, in general, over the last 5 years the abuse of Officials has ...?

Abuse of Officials by Gender

Stayed about the sameDecreasedIncreased

Do you think that, in general, over the last 5 years the abuse of Sports Officials has ...?

59% Female

Respondent gender

Abuse of Officials by Officiating Experience

64% 67%

32% 25%

100% 100%

Increased

Decreased

Stayed about the same

No Yes

Experienced as asports official

Abuse of Officials by Involvement in Sport

61% 69%

34% 25%

100% 100%

Increased

Decreased

Stayed about the same

No Yes

Experienced as aplayer, administrator

or official

Acceptability of Varying Levels of Abuse

• What constitutes abuse towards sports officials will vary depending on the individual observing the abuse, the particular abusive behaviour, setting, and parties involved. Respondents were asked to indicate acceptance of different types of abuse identified in previous studies.

Loudly Disagreeing with Officials

Strongly Agree

Is loudly disagreeing with Officials' decisions acceptable?

Loudly Disagreeing by Gender

Disagree

Is loudly disagreeing with Officials' decisions acceptable?

20%16%

63%Female

Respondent gender

Players Answering Back

Strongly Agree

Is players answering back to Officials acceptable?

44%42%

Smart or Funny Comments

Strongly Agree

Is making smart or funny comments about Officials acceptable?

38%41%

Smart or Funny Comments by Gender

Disagree

Is making smart or funny comments about Officials acceptable?

11%14%

74% Female

Respondent gender

Commentators Questioning Officials’ Decisions

Strongly Agree

Is commentators questioning Officials' decisions acceptable?

22%24%

Throwing Objects at Officials

Strongly Agree

Is throwing objects near or at Officials "not" acceptable?

Throwing Objects at Officials by Favourite Sport

10% 17% 11% 8%

0% 1% 6% 6%

90% 82% 83% 85%

100% 100% 100% 100%

Disagree

Neither disagree or agree

Nasty or Derogatory Comments

Strongly Agree

Is making nasty or derogatory comments about Officials "not" acceptable?

Nasty or Derogatory Comments by Favourite Sport

9% 17% 13% 9%

0% 1% 6% 9%

91% 82% 81% 82%

100% 100% 100% 100%

Disagree

Verbal Abuse

Strongly Agree

Is verbally abusing Officials to their face "not" acceptable?

Verbal Abuse by Favourite Sport

9% 17% 13% 9%

0% 1% 6% 7%

91% 82% 81% 84%

100% 100% 100% 100%

Disagree

Journalists Undermining Officials

Strongly Agree

Is Journalists writing articles undermining officials "not" acceptable?

29%30%

Journalists Undermining Officials by Gender

AgreeNeither Disagree or Agree

Disagree

Is Journalists writing articles undermining officials "not" acceptable?

22%17%

20%25%

Female

Respondent gender

Implications

• Overall, respondents felt the varying levels of abuse presented were unacceptable. Respondents expressed the strongest opinions about the unacceptability of throwing objects, making derogatory or nasty comments, verbally abusing officials or players answering back. Interestingly, while 38% of respondents felt it was not acceptable for commentators to question officials’ decisions, 39% felt this was acceptable behaviour.

• • Unexpectedly, Rugby fans had a lower tolerance of specific

abusive behaviours (throwing objects, making nasty or derogatory comments, or verbal abuse) than Netball, Cricket or Soccer fans.

Effect of Verbal Abuse of Officials on Enjoyment

DisagreeAgree

Spectators verbally abusing Officials "decreases" my enjoyment of the game

Effect of Verbal Abuse on Enjoyment by Gender

DisagreeAgree

Spectators verbally abusing Officials decreases my enjoyment of the game

79%Female

Respondent gender

Effect of Players’ Verbal Abuse on Enjoyment

DisagreeAgree

Players verbally abusing officials "increases" my enjoyment of the game

Players’ Verbal Abuse by Favourite Sport

12% 12% 27% 16%

88% 90% 73% 84%

100% 100% 100% 100%

Disagree

Effect of Commentators on Enjoyment

DisagreeAgree

Constant questioning of Officials decisions by Commentators and Journalists "decreases" my enjoyment

of the game

Effect of Commentators on Enjoyment by Gender

DisagreeAgree

Constant questioning of Officials decisions by Commentators and Journalists "decreases" my enjoyment

of the game

Female

Respondent gender

Implications

• Undoubtedly various forms of abuse towards officials have an impact on spectators’ enjoyment of the game. For females, previous intolerance of abusive behaviours has a notable negative effect on their overall enjoyment of the game.

Previous Officiating Experience

Previously an Official but no longer involved?

Reasons for no longer being a Sports Official

81 28%

101 35%

43 15%

289 100%

Was unhappy with the organisation

Family or work commitments

Too many training demands

Too much abuse from fans or players

Out of pocket expenses too high

Family or personal interests changed

Other reasons

N Percent

Responses

Overall Opinion of Sports Officials

• Overall, the majority of respondents expressed positive opinions of sports officials, most notably for fans of Cricket. The more passionate the individual was about their favourite sport, the more positive their opinion of sports officials.

Performance on the Field

• Respondents felt officials’ understanding of the rules of the game and their consistent application were more important to effective officiating than other characteristics such as maintaining control over both the game and players.

• • When asked to rate the performance of the main official in

a recent game of their favourite sport, respondents gave overall high ratings. The more positive respondents’ opinion of officials was generally, the higher the rating. However, the main official in Rugby was rated substantially lower than their counterpart in Cricket when it came to understanding and application of the rules of the game.

Influence and Accountability

• Almost one third of respondents felt that sports officials exerted too much influence over the outcome of the game. Direct involvement in sport as a player, administrator or official served to amplify the belief that officials may be exerting more influence than acceptable.

• The general public expected Professional sports officials to be more accountable for their decisions than their Amateur counterparts. Respondents believe both Professional and Amateur officials, if to be held accountable, should primarily be accountable to those directly involved in the sport (players and coaches) rather than spectators and the media.

Sources of Sports Information

• Respondents took more notice of information sources closely involved in the on-field action (players, coaches and match commentators) and also judged these sources to be the most trustworthy. Rugby officials were considered significantly more trustworthy than their Cricket, Netball or Soccer counterparts. Little notice was taken of TV sports shows and online social networks and this was also reflected in the lower degree of trust in these sources.

• Respondents relied more on traditional channels for their

sports information (television, newspaper and radio), with television being the predominant source.

Abuse faced by Sports Officials

• Two thirds of respondents felt that abuse of sports officials had increased over the last five years, a view held more strongly by females.

• The vast majority of respondents judged a range of abusive behaviours towards officials as unacceptable. Respondents expressed the strongest opinion about the unacceptability of abusive behaviour towards sports officials when that behaviour was directly aimed at the sports official, namely, throwing of objects at officials and verbal abuse of officials. Females and Rugby fans had substantially lower levels of tolerance towards abuse directed at sports officials. Abuse directed at sports officials had a significantly negative effects on respondents’ enjoyment of the game – especially so for females.

• The primary piece of research was undertaken via a general public survey which was supplemented by three other general areas of analysis: Newspapers, television commentary and interviews.

Newspapers

Responses of Newspaper writers about Referee Performance

Negative, Neutral and Positive Responses

Series1

Series1 56 51 8

Rugby Match Commentary Analysis

Rugby Commentators comments on Referee performance

Negative, Neutral or Positive Commentary

Series1

Series1 38 43 19

Netball Commentary Responses

Negative Neutral Positive

Series1

Implications

• Results indicate a high propensity by media commentators to report officials’ performance negatively. Neutral commentary (informational reporting, no positive or negative judgement by commentator on specific decisions) was also prevalent and positive comments were cited as significantly lower than both other categories.

perceptions of nz sports officials andrew hercus, jan charbonneau, ron garland, warren smith

game slide

control slide

favourite sport slide

warren smith slide

favourite sports

influence of sports

unbiased officials

performance clear rulings

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