backpacking judge- would you like to become a backpacking judge

Many Lappie enthusiastis have greatly enjoyed participating in the backpacking hikes each Winter, and eagerly enter the few hikes that have been scheduled and wish there were more hikes - or we have been disappointed when a hike has been cancelled. The reason why there are very few hikes in NSW, and that hikes have been cancelled, is that we only have two people in NSW who are approved to judge the backpacking hikes. And these two people of course have their own lives, families and jobs, and understandably have limited availability for judging hikes, and there's no one to fill in if they can't judge.

For many years we've spoken with Dogs NSW about how more people can become approved judges, so that we can have more judges and thus more hikes. The challenge was capacity for training.

Dogs NSW have sourced a solution to this problem; by allowing NSW members to be trained by Dogs Victoria. This is a very sensible solution and is very welcome, bravo Dogs NSW!

Dogs NSW are calling for expressions of interest for people who would like to become a backpacking judge. You will need to hold Dogs NSW membership, and have had some experience participating in the hikes yourself. Once trained and approved as a judge, clubs would contact you to ask if you can judge at their hikes. There's sometimes a small amount of renumeration and travel costs paid for judging appointments, but primarily judges are judges as they want to help out the sport.

If you'd like to be considered for the program, please email the DOGS NSW Sled Sports Working Party at sledsports@dogsnsw.org.au by Sunday 4th October 2026, with the following details:

• Your name as it appears on your DOGS NSW Membership

• Your DOGS NSW membership number

• How long you have been a member of DOGS NSW

• An overview of your experience in the Sled Sports discipline you are wanting to become a Judge in.

• Whether you are currently an accredited Judge in any other Dogs Australia discipline (sporting or conformation)

  
  

Please note: as this program is facilitated by Dogs Victoria, aspirants will need to travel to Victoria for some components of the training.