Navigating Role Ambiguity & Conflict: Exploring the Role of the Referee Within the Olympic Sporting Structure

Abstract

This phenomenological study seeks to better understand the role of the referee in the Olympic sporting structure and to deconstruct the apparent dichotomies that exist within this role. Eleven rugby sevens referees each completed a pre-Olympics and post-Olympics interview for a total of twenty-two interviews. From the data, four sources of role ambiguity or conflict emerged: (1) remaining unnoticed vs. media exposure; (2) the team vs. individualistic nature of officiating; (3) being a judge vs. being an athlete, and (4) amateurism vs. professionalism. This study discusses how these dichotomies highlight the major sources of role ambiguity and role conflict for rugby sevens officials within the larger Olympic context. Implications regarding increased role clarity, reduced role strain, and referee management are discussed.

Refereeing as a Postathletic Career Option

“…Thus, it is vital that sport organizations begin to reframe refereeing as an extension of one's athletic career. A finding supported by this research and previous research on referees (Jacobs et al, 2019;Phillips & Fairley, 2014). Regardless of whether the initial involvement was at seekership, recruitment, closure, or drift stage, the result demonstrated that the perceived environment (i.e., High Stress Environment, Financial Instability) and barriers (i.e., Time, and Lack of Knowledge and Support) all served as obstacles for athletes and led to them not considering or being involved in refereeing.…”

“…There are already many referees who consider themselves to be athletes (Jacobs et al, 2019;Phillips & Fairley, 2014); therefore, the similarities between the two roles could potentially be used to recruit athletes into referees. The path from athlete to referee can be facilitated; however, a clear understanding of how athletes perceive the role of refereeing is needed.…”