The Judging & Umpiring Committee (JUC)

The Judging & Umpiring Committee (JUC)

The Judging & Umpiring Committee (JUC) is the volunteer group that works with RYA staff to attract and recruit Judges and Umpires in the UK, oversee the delivery of their training and assessment, and decide on their appointment as Regional and National race officials.

We are made up of seven members from a variety of backgrounds and with experience as sailors and race officials across the Country and home Countries.

As well as being responsible for the decisions of the group, members play an active role in the delivery of the group’s training and assessment activities. They also ‘represent’, and provide a link back to the committee, when officiating at events.

JUC is now recruiting for one new member to join the committee. Appointments are for three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms (i.e. 6 years).

More about the Committee

The JUC is a policy-forming sub-committee of the RYA Racing Committee (RC). As such, it is responsible for setting policy, advising, challenging, and liaising with RYA staff within Racing.

The purpose and authority of JUC includes to:

1. establish the RYA’s standards and qualifications in judging and umpiring;
2. provide racing in the UK with a sufficient quantity and quality of qualified judges;
3. provide umpired racing with a sufficient quantity and quality of qualified umpires;
4. maintain and update the knowledge and skills of judges and umpires in line with developments in the sport;
5. assist and encourage judges and umpires to progress to international qualifications

Commitment Required

The RYA JUC usually meets 4 times a year, once in person and three times remotely, with the day to day discussion and decisions conducted by e mail.

JUC is a small group that fulfils a key function and active participation and commitment to attend meetings is essential. Members are reimbursed for any associated expenses at standard RYA rates.

Who we’re looking for

We look for the group as a whole to have a diverse range of judging and umpiring knowledge and experience across our sport and across the UK . We therefore encourage interested candidates to get in touch to discuss their relevant experiences.
The committee aims to be balanced across the following competency list but does not expect you to be an expert in every area!

1. Knowledge of the competitive racing (boats and boards), from club to World Championships, and including umpired disciplines such as team and match racing.
2. Current experience of acting as a judge or umpire at sailing events.
3. Experience of working with clubs, class associations and other volunteer sailing organisations across the UK.
4. Experience in attracting, coaching, training and assessing race officials.
5. A current knowledge of other related racing groups, committees, programmes and activities in the UK and elsewhere.

Process of Application

• Candidates to express interest in the vacancy send an e mail to Jacqui.roberts@rya.org.uk
• Candidates will then receive by email an application form.
• Deadline: End of June 2024.
• The Chair of JUC and the Racing Services Technical Manager will liaise with candidates by e mail/phone as soon as possible to progress and assess applications as is consistent with the terms of reference.

The RYA is committed to equality of opportunity.

As an equal opportunity and disability confident employer, we celebrate and welcome diversity in all its forms and believe that a diverse workforce boosts innovation, productivity, and creativity.

We are dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion and strive to be an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves. We would particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse candidates who are currently underrepresented at the RYA.