International Technical Officials are accredited by World Bowls and officiate at World Bowls sanctioned events including World Bowls Championships and Commonwealth Games. The International Technical Official (ITO) accreditation is valid for five years.
Applications for accreditation as an International Technical Official must be completed by the candidate and submitted to Bowls Australia (BA).
BA will complete an ‘Endorsement of Application’ form to confirm that they consider the applicant to be suitable for assessment as an International Technical Official and that the applicant meets the following qualifying criteria.
- Have actively officiated for a minimum period of three years. That is, have officiated annually in at least five events at any level for a combined total of at least thirty hours.
- Have officiated in at least two International/National/National Division (State/Region/District) events in the two years immediately prior to the date of application.
- Have officiated as a Marker during the quarter-final, semi-final or final stages of at least two International/National/National Division (State/County/Province/Region) events in the two years immediately prior to the date of application.
Following the approval from BA, applicants seeking accreditation as International Technical Officials will be invited to attend a four-part assessment which will comprise:
- Part 1: answering fifteen ‘closed book’ written questions on the Laws of the Sport.
- Part 2: in the role of a marker, giving their opinion on the distance between the jack and a bowl in four head settings and giving their opinion on which bowls are shot in a further four head settings. Then, acting as the marker during a Singles game comprising four ends.
- Part 3: carrying out five measures whilst operating on their own.
- Part 4: carrying out four measures whilst being assisted by another umpire.
Once accredited, ITOs will be listed on the World Bowls Website and will be eligible for selection for World Bowls sanctioned events in accordance with ITO and National Technical Official (NTO) Selection Policy.
The frequency of and locations for the assessments as an ITO will be decided by World Bowls.
For more information regarding the ITO accreditation procedure, qualifying criteria and application form, please view the World Bowls Website – ‘Laws and Umpiring Section’ – International Technical Officials’.
Applications
- ITO application form
- Completed forms should be mailed or emailed to Bowls Australia.
- Scanned documents emailed to Bowls Australia, must be scanned with original signatures or will not be accepted.
Mail:
General Manager – Bowls Operations
Bowls Australia
PO Box 52
Northcote, VIC 3070
Email: ahowie@bowls.com.au