Since the Taylor report after the Bradford fire, steward competence and training has been an issue for all sports grounds. As competitions are organised throughout the world all aspects of crowd safety and crowd management are raised. In conjunction with safety since September 11th is also the issue of security and ensuring as far as possible that people attending any large event feel safe.

Over the last ten years Watson Associates has been involved in delivering Steward, Supervisor and Safety Officer Training throughout the United Kingdom. In 1996 Wembley needed to train 1,000 stewards to the same level, a task made more difficult as they contracted with over twelve different stewarding organisations, and trying to co-ordinate, sign in and train all staff to the same standard was paramount.

It was agreed that Wembley would employ all the senior supervisors who would attend a training session first; most of these staff had worked at Wembley before and would be able to give some useful feedback on problems and issues.

We then trained Supervisors on briefing skills, motivating, monitoring and problem solving from stewards and reporting procedures. Finally the stewards were brought on for the training on health and safety, First Response, Fire Safety and general stewarding duties.

Over a period of 4 months all 1000 + stewards staff were trained and accredited with swipe card passes ready for the competition. During the events we walked around the Stadium checking accreditation and asking questions of the stewards and staff to ensure the quality of training was maintained.

The key to the success of the stewarding operation was the motivation and supervision of the Chief Steward, Area Supervisors and Supervisors constantly monitoring the event.

In 1997 we were approached by the then Chairman of The Parade Commission who after seeing the recommendations from the Patton report, was looking for training for Marshals in Northern Ireland.

We undertook some research with Dominic Bryan and talked to organisations in Northern Ireland. The Apprentice Boy’s of Derry were the only organisation to offer to pilot a programme of training.

From 1998 to 1999 Marshal’s went through training and assessment covering skills similar to that of their steward counterparts however more emphasis was placed on dealing with conflict and hazardous situations from crowds.

Once again the focus was on training and developing Senior Marshal’s and getting them more involved in the planning process of the event. We had great support form the RUC in covering the legal rights of the general public and the authority of the marshals on a public highway – which unlike an arena or stadium is not a case of agreeing to or abiding by ground regulations.

Whilst the parade season was running each Senior Marshal took a turn to plan and organise a parade, creating a team of people who had now started to talk to other people involved in the parade programme. Police were now consulted, other organisations that were going to be effected by the parade were communicated with and compromises made.

Since this pilot programme Marshal’s from the Orange Order and others have now been trained, an open learning package is available through the Parades Commission for all organisations who want to develop Marshal’s for other organisations.

Also the College at East Tyrone is offering further training and development for Marshal’s and Stewards in Northern Ireland in partnership with Watson Associates.

In 1995 a Football Authorities Stewards Training package was developed with the help of several of the leading clubs in England. This focused on the background to stewarding, health and safety, first aid, fire, customer care, emergency procedure; following this there is now an accreditation for football clubs through FSQ (Football stewarding Qualification).

For Stadiums and arenas, which are, multifunctional The National Vocational Qualification in Spectator Control provides structured approach to assessment against a nationally recognised standard.