OFFICIALS COURSE – INTRODUCTION

Boxing | Kickboxing | Muay Thai | MMA

AMMASA Inc. & League Boxing NSW Inc.

Welcome to the Officials Training & Development Course

Welcome to the Officials Course, developed through the cooperation of AMMASA Inc. and League Boxing NSW Inc.

This course is designed to introduce new officials to combat sports officiating while providing existing referees, judges and supervisors with an opportunity to refresh their knowledge, improve consistency and further develop their qualifications.

Our objective is to establish a professional, transparent and consistent standard of officiating across Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA, ensuring that every contest is conducted fairly, safely and in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.

What This Course Covers

Throughout this course, participants will gain an understanding of the responsibilities, procedures and decision-making processes required of a competent combat sports official.

The training will cover:

1. The Role of an Official – Understanding the responsibilities, conduct, professionalism and expectations of referees, judges and supervisors.
2. Rules and Regulations – An introduction to the different combat sports disciplines, their rulesets and the importance of applying regulations consistently.
3. Scoring and Judging – Understanding scoring criteria, how to assess a round, determine a winner and accurately complete official scorecards.
4. Fouls and Penalties – Identifying prohibited techniques, recognising infringements and understanding warnings, point deductions and disqualifications.
5. Referee Responsibilities – Fighter safety, controlling a contest, recognising when intervention is required and applying appropriate procedures.
6. Fight Results and Decisions – Understanding the different types of contest outcomes, how results are determined and the correct procedures for recording decisions.
7. Safety and Equipment – Understanding compulsory protective equipment, pre-fight checks and the importance of athlete welfare.
8. Appeals and Reviews – Understanding how coaches may request a review, the responsibilities of officials and supervisors, and the procedures for handling disputed decisions professionally.
9. Practical Training and Assessment – Applying the knowledge gained through practical exercises, scoring activities, simulated situations and assessments.
10. Officials Development Pathway – Understanding the qualification framework, ongoing education and progression from entry-level officiating through to experienced amateur and professional-level appointments.

Our Commitment

Officiating is about more than knowing the rules. It requires integrity, impartiality, confidence, consistency and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

Through this training program, we aim to develop officials who are respected by athletes, coaches and promoters, while providing a clear pathway for individuals wishing to build a career in combat sports officiating.

Our three-level development framework provides opportunities to progress through:

• 1 Star – C Class: Entry-level officials developing practical experience.
• 2 Star – B Class: Experienced amateur officials who have demonstrated competency through assessment.
• 3 Star – A Class: Advanced officials qualified and assessed for professional-level contests.

Our Goal

To build a stronger, better-trained and more accountable officiating community that places athlete safety, fairness and professionalism at the centre of every contest.

Whether you are attending your first course or continuing your development as an experienced official, this program is an important step towards improving the standards of combat sports across Australia.

Welcome to the course, and thank you for becoming part of the future of combat sports officiating