“Playing on” or “calling time”? retention and motivation for sport officials

Aden Kittel; Ian Cunningham; Joshua Adie; Stirling Sharpe; Paul Larkin

doi:10.3389/fspor.2026.1789166

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“Playing on” or “calling time”? retention and motivation for sport officials

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

“Playing on” or “calling time”? retention and motivation for sport officials

Aden Kittel, Ian Cunningham, Joshua Adie, Stirling Sharpe and Paul Larkin

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Vol.8, pp.1-10

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2026.1789166

PMID: 42052550

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Abstract

development

motivation

officials

referee

umpires

Introduction: Attrition is a key issue in sports officiating and has rightfully received extensive attention in the literature highlighting issues such as abuse and lack of perceived organizational support. However, few studies in comparison understand the reasons for officials to stay in their role (i.e., retention) and underlying motivation.Methods: Current officials were recruited (n = 293) from multiple countries and sports (mainly soccer, rugby union, cricket, hockey) to complete an online questionnaire, focusing on sport motivation and reasons to continue officiating.Results: Based on the Sport Motivation II scale (SMS-II), officials report high Intrinsic and Identified modes of regulation. There were no differences between genders in any of the modes of regulation in SMS-II. Those that intend to continue reported higher levels of Intrinsic, Integrated and Identified than those that were unsure of continuing. Amotivation was significantly higher for those that were unsure of continuing and did not intend to continue, than those who did intend to continue. Results indicated professional level and soccer officials appear to exhibit higher levels of motivation. Personal Drive and Personal Challenge were the most prominent reasons to continue, whereas Money was the least selected reason.Discussion: This study provides important implications for officiating managers in the retention profiles of active officials, depending on various factors.

Details

Title: “Playing on” or “calling time”? retention and motivation for sport officials
Authors: Aden Kittel (Corresponding Author) - Deakin University
Ian Cunningham - Edinburgh Napier University
Joshua Adie - University of the Sunshine Coast
Stirling Sharpe - University of Canberra
Paul Larkin - Victoria University
Publication details: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Vol.8, pp.1-10
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1789166
ISSN: 2624-9367
PMID: 42052550
Copyright note: © 2026 Kittel, Cunningham, Adie, Sharpe and Larkin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Data Availability: The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991224893302621
Output Type: Journal article

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