Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
Associate Professor | Founder and Coordinator Referee & Sports Official Research Network | Research #sportofficialabuse, #mentalhealth, #careers, #recruitmenta&retention | Views my own
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Economics
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Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Managing and Developing Sports Officials: Officiating Excellence
This book offers an evidence-based guide to the development, management, and retention of sports officials. Drawing on research at all levels of sport, from grassroots to professional, this book focus...
www.routledge.com
We published "Managing and Developing Sports Officials" in August.
The books is designed to bridge the gap between research & practice, and to be an essential resource for anyone involved in the world of sport officiating. Feel free to get in touch with questions.
www.routledge.com/Managing-and...
The books is designed to bridge the gap between research & practice, and to be an essential resource for anyone involved in the world of sport officiating. Feel free to get in touch with questions.
www.routledge.com/Managing-and...
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Apr 9
Great to be in Copenhagen for the kick-off meeting for the REFS project.
This is a reaply important project focused on young officials, their recruitment and retention and how to attract more young people into officiating. More details on the project here - www.coventry.ac.uk/research/res...
This is a reaply important project focused on young officials, their recruitment and retention and how to attract more young people into officiating. More details on the project here - www.coventry.ac.uk/research/res...
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Apr 3
Tom Foley: Rugby match official to leave role
Match official Tom Foley is to leave his role at the Rugby Football Union after 15 years' refereeing to
www.bbc.co.uk
Another example of the cost of abuse towards sport officials. Rugby has lost one of their elite referees due to the abuse and 'vitriol' to which Tom Foley has been subjected. Abuse towards officials is a major concern across sports and countries.
#abuse #referees
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
#abuse #referees
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Mar 10
The future for sport officiating research: an expert statement
Research, coverage, and understanding in sport officiating related scholarly activity have increased markedly in the last decade. Sport officials (referees, judges, umpires) have been historically ...
www.tandfonline.com
Our latest research is free to read. We produced an expert statement on the future for sport officiating research. The work utilises a number of areas of research, all focused on developing research areas/ideas further.
#referees #umpires #sportofficials #research
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
#referees #umpires #sportofficials #research
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Mar 2
Top FIFA official says it's harder than ever to be a football referee due to abuse
One of football's best-known referees has warned the behaviour of some managers and clubs has cast doubt over the integrity of officials.
news.sky.com
I don't disagree...there's far too much referee abuse in football. The problem is that this has been the case for a considerable time and we need to back up the sentiment with actions. It is good to see recuritment is on the up, retaining those referees is another thing.
news.sky.com/story/top-fi...
news.sky.com/story/top-fi...
Reposted by Tom Webb
Jacob Tingle
@tinglejk.bsky.social
· Feb 26
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23750472.2025.2468711
t.co
Thanks to @drtomwebb.bsky.social’s leadership, our article, "The future for sport officiating research: An expert statement" is now available to read. It can be a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners alike. t.co/fzuajCMUxM #Referee #SportsOfficial cc: @refbooks.bsky.social
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Feb 26
The future for sport officiating research: an expert statement
Research, coverage, and understanding in sport officiating related scholarly activity have increased markedly in the last decade. Sport officials (referees, judges, umpires) have been historically ...
www.tandfonline.com
Latest research - free to access.
This work provides avenues for collaboration focused on changes for organisations, policy makers & officials. The statement utilises a number of areas of officiating research, all focused on developing the research areas further.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
This work provides avenues for collaboration focused on changes for organisations, policy makers & officials. The statement utilises a number of areas of officiating research, all focused on developing the research areas further.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Dec 18
County Durham rugby union referees abandon game over abuse - BBC News
Three referees in County Durham quit after criticism from players, club officials and spectators.
www.bbc.co.uk
Worrying signs in rugby union. The story states that referees feel unsafe and are leaving due to the increased abuse - this is a big concern given the challenges around recuritment and retention of officials. Lets hope raising the issue helps to deal with the problem.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Nov 30
Parent Arrested for Assaulting Referee at Youth Basketball Tournament
In the video, multiple adults can be seen rushing across the basketball court toward the referee. A few seconds later, the referee can be seen falling to the floor.
www.athleticbusiness.com
Incidents like this happen far too often to sport officials. Abuse happens towards officials across sports and countries. We are currently researching the interactions between youth officials and parents to understand and improve the sporting environment.
www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/s...
www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/s...
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Managing and Developing Sports Officials: Officiating Excellence
This book offers an evidence-based guide to the development, management, and retention of sports officials. Drawing on research at all levels of sport, from grassroots to professional, this book focus...
www.routledge.com
"Managing and Developing Sports Officials” is now available in paperback. The book links research and practice and is a great resource for sport administrators, officials themselves, and all involved in sport officiating. Please connect if you want to know more.
www.routledge.com/Managing-and...
www.routledge.com/Managing-and...
Reposted by Tom Webb
Jacob Tingle
@tinglejk.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Managing and Developing Sports Officials: Officiating Excellence
This book offers an evidence-based guide to the development, management, and retention of sports officials. Drawing on research at all levels of sport, from grassroots to professional, this book focus...
www.routledge.com
“Managing and Developing Sports Officials” is available in paperback. The book connects research w/ practice and is a great resource for sports admins, referees, and all involved in sports officiating. Please connect if your organization would like to learn more. www.routledge.com/Managing-and...
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Nov 26
“What are we looking at?”: the development and implementation of a performance analysis framework for netball umpires
Technology is progressively being used in sports development, with video feedback playing a central role in performance analysis (PA). However, the impact of PA on learning remains unclear. This st...
urldefense.com
Just published - We created, validated, and implemented a self-controlled performance analysis framework, for sport officials. Results showed improvements in performance scores, which was a very positive outcome.
Some free copies available below - if those run out, get in touch
Some free copies available below - if those run out, get in touch
Reposted by Tom Webb
Reposted by Tom Webb
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Really looking forward to presenting at the PGMOL EDI in Match Officiating summit today. I'll be talking about our research in sport officiating and developments, some of which are linked to the EDI space.
Dr Tom Webb
@drtomwebb.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) in Match Officiating Summit by PGMOL
Join us for a day of learning and discussion on promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in match officiating with PGMOL!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
I'll be speaking at the inaugural EDI in Match Officiating Summit organised by PGMOL tomorrow. This is the first time an event focused on ED & I has explored officiating. Our research has started to consider marginalised/under represented groups, and this summit will develop understanding further.