NTIS High Performance Officiating Program announce recipients

The 2019 Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) High Performance Officiating Program (HPOP) is to invest more than $45,000 in the development of local sporting officials.

The Northern Territory Government is investing in coaches and officials through education and support at all levels of experience through a suite of programs in 2019.

The 2019 Program recognises and supports officials from six sports, with the support of mentors, to pursue development opportunities aimed at further enhancing the quality of sports and officials in the Territory.

Assistant Minister for Sports and Community Events, Tony Sievers said each year, NT Peak Sporting Bodies have an opportunity to nominate potential high performing officials, who will receive targeted training through the twelve-month program.

“The Territory’s High Performance Officiating Program is the only program of its kind operating in Australia,” said Assistant Minister Sievers.

“It’s an important initiative because it not only recognises our top level sporting officials, but also strengthens the quality of sports across the Territory.

“The NTIS is focused on developing the Territory’s network of officials and mentors, who are integral to positive pathways for a range of people.”

The program enables participants to participate in professional development workshops, attend high level competitions, and undertake a community project within their sport. A mentor program is conducted in unison with the program.

Last year, the officials represented a range of sports including Australian football, athletics, basketball, football, hockey, judo, netball, BMX and tennis.

This year, the recipients are:

Jasper Hutt - AFL NT
Nassir Joomun - Football Federation NT
Claire Mathews - Football Federation NT
Kelly Findlay - Netball NT
Robert Stewart - NT Cricket
Leanne Usher - Tennis NT
Jennifer Roe - Tennis NT
Darcy Lawrence - Touch Football NT

The HPOP brings some of the best specialists from the Northern Territory and Australia to assist our officials including Darryl Durham from Optimum Edge who has been involved in the National Officiating Scholarship program since its inception.

For more information on the HPOP, click here. 

Applications for the annual NTIS Officiating Development Program will open around September 2019.