Technical Official Training Courses

The organisation and delivery of triathlon events are the backbone of our sport’s success, and the quality of these events is vital to the continuing growth and development of the fast growing, dynamic and modern sport.  Technical Officials (TOs) support our event organisers so that events in Scotland, and across Great Britain, are safe and fair, and Technical Officials do this by ensuring that competitors uphold the rules of the sport.

Technical Official Training Courses take place annually according to demand. If you are interested in becoming a TO please read through the below information about upcoming courses. We are also recruiting for Motorcycle Officials, who are able to start their officiating journey at any point. We actively encourage women into officiating, and in particular, moto officiating, where they are under-represented.

For more information about motorcycle official training please click here.

Local Technical Official (LTO) Training Course

This qualification is aimed at individuals who are interested in becoming a volunteer Technical Official and has been designed to provide attendees with the knowledge required to begin officiating, as well as covering the soft skills needed to develop as an Official. The course is delivered by highly experienced officials and designed to be informative and interactive:

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting day, great to hear experienced officials’ views and to learn from them, and their enthusiasm for the sport” (2019 candidate)

The training is made up of:

  • A full day course
  • An associated knowledge tester
  • The completion of four shadows of qualified Officials

Following the successful completion of both the theoretical and practical elements candidates will be eligible to be the Chief Official at pool based triathlon and aquathlon events along with duathlons, including children’s and paratriathlon events. They are also qualified to be an Assistant Official at open water events.

Date: 9 March 2024

Time: 0900-1700

Venue: Stirling Court Hotel, FK9 4LA

Price: £25

For more information about the LTO course email officials@triathlonscotland.org

Regional Technical Official (RTO) Training Course

The Regional Technical Officials (RTO) course is designed to build on the experience gained as a Local Technical Official (LTO) and further develop officials.

Overview

The RTO course is the next step on the officiating pathway and builds upon the skills and knowledge gained during the course of training and operating as an LTO, and further develops these whilst adding to them.

The training consists of:

  • A half day course
  • An associated open-book knowledge tester
  • Online course workbook
  • The completion of two shadows of qualified Technical Officials at two open water events

View a full overview of the qualification process please click here.

Regional Technical Official courses take place in March each year. The course calendar will be available from October onwards, but until then, please discuss your progression with Triathlon Scotland’s Officials Coordinator, by emailing officials@triathlonscotland.org

Pre-Requisites

To attend the course candidates must:

  • Be a minimum of 18 years of age
  • Have fully completed the LTO qualification
  • Have been the Chief Technical Official at a minimum of two events, or Assistant Technical Official at a minimum of four events, since qualifying as an LTO

National Technical Official (NTO)

National Technical Officials are eligible to act as the Chief Official for Home Nations and British Triathlon Major Events.

Candidate names are forwarded on to World Triathlon annually and following this submission Officials are invited to be part of the officiating team at a World Triathlon or Europe Triathlon event.  Providing this is successful Officials will be eligible to apply to act as a Self-Funded Technical Official at World Triathlon and Europe Triathlon events.

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Our Partners

Triathlon Scotland is proud to work alongside the following partners and sponsors.

  • British Triathlon
  • sportscotland
  • University of Stirling
  • Equality in Sport
  • Winning Students Scotland
  • Big Lottery Fund
  • Big Bobble Hats
  • Kenny Girvan Photography
  • We Are a Living Wage Employer
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