Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the current uses of technologies to assist referee decision making processes in professional and Olympic sports, to provide the platform for the facilitation of correct decisions. Through discussion groups and interviews, five major sports in Australia were examined. All participants in the study had all officiated from the grassroots level to the elite level, where at the latter level, had experience in the use of the relevant technologies adopted by their sport. The findings present that, in the majority of the examined sports, differing degrees of technology is being applied to aid the decision making process. When used the technology does provide the mechanism to facilitate in ensuring the correctness of the decision. The success of the introduction of the decision support technology is dependent on its usability, appropriate application and acceptance by the officials and the participants of the match. Via the diligent use and application of appropriate technologies, they can be used as an effective aid to refereeing. Illegal tactics and play were commonplace prior to the introduction of the use of technology to assist the referee. These areas, however, have been dramatically reduced and to a certain extent eliminated. Subsequently these introduced technologies have been a major contributor to the provision of a fairer platform for competition and led to improved player performance. The findings provide a basis for further studies and possible trials with technologies to assist the referee in providing fair competition and to improve the quality of referees’ decision making.