Chief scout

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A chief scout is the principal or head scout for a military unit, colonial administration, a exploration expedition, or a Scout organisation. In performing or creative arts, particularly sport, the term may also refer to an organisation's senior talent scout.

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A chief scout, or chief of scouts, was historically the person in charge of intelligence and reconnaissance in the English Navy, armies or in expeditions. The title was popularly used in colonies or frontiers such as in the Americas and southern Africa during the colonial period [1] although the title dates back as far as English Civil War. [2] Frederick Russell Burnham, was chief scout of the British South Africa Company and chief of scouts to Field Marshal Lord Roberts during the Boer War. [3]

The founder of Scouting, Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, adopted the titles of Chief Scout and Chairman of The Boy Scouts Association in 1908, holding both positions until his death in 1941. At the closing ceremony of the 1st World Scout Jamboree in 1920, Baden-Powell was also acclaimed Chief Scout of the World by the 8,000 members in attendance from 34 countries. The title Chief Scout of the World has not been used since his death in 1941. [4]

Many organisations in the Scout Movement, such as Ireland, Poland and the United Kingdom still use the title Chief Scout for the uniformed head of their organisation. Some organisations, such as Scouts Australia [5] and Scouts Aotearoa, [6] appoint high government officials like the Governor-General of Australia and Governor-General of New Zealand respectively as their Chief Scout. In these countries, the modern position of Chief Scout is akin to the Chancellor of a university, responsible for some governance functions, formally approving certain awards, and presiding at certain ceremonies.

Other organisations like Scouts Canada [7] and Scouts Victoria [8] use popular figures like survival expert, filmmaker and musician Les Stroud and actor, writer and director Shane Jacobson in efforts to promote their organisations to wider audiences.

In both scenarios, the day-to-day leadership of the organisation is performed by an experienced Scout Leader, often known as the Chief Commissioner.

In Sport

In sport, a chief scout can be the principal talent scout seeking new players or a tactical scout. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

See also

References

  1. Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell; Boehmer, Elleke (2005). Scouting for boys: a handbook for instruction in good citizenship (1. publ. in paperback ed.). Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN   9780192802460.
  2. "The Cromwell Museum - Soldiers | Cromwell". www.cromwellmuseum.org. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  3. James West; Peter Lamb (1932). He-who-sees-in-the-dark; the Boys' Story of Frederick Burnham, the American Scout. New York: Brewer, Warren and Putnam; Boy Scouts of America. p. 132.
  4. "Scouting's History | WOSM". www.scout.org. World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  5. "Scouts Australia Welcomes New Chief Scout". Scouts Australia. Scouts Australia. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  6. "The Scout Association of New Zealand Annual Report 2024.pdf". Google Docs. Scouts Aotearoa. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  7. "Chief Scout". Scouts Canada. Scouts Canada. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  8. "Our People Scouts Victoria | Australia". Scouts Victoria | Australia. Scouts Victoria. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  9. "Celtic talent scout John Park leaves his position at Parkhead 10 years after being head hunted by Bhoys". Daily Record. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017. Celtic's chief scout John Park is leaving Parkhead
  10. "Scandinavian Scouting Agency" . Retrieved 4 January 2017. Scandinavian scouting agency chief scout Øyvind Johansen together with Mohammed Abdellaoue... Scandinavian scouting agency chief scout Øyvind Johansen together with Patrick Vieira... Scandinavische scouting bureau, chief scout Øyvind Christoffer Johansen samen met Ruben Yttergård Jenssen.
  11. Kempson, Russell (20 February 2013). "Real Football: Sampling the hectic life of a chief scout". EFL.com. English Football League. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  12. "Week 2 - How do Professional Clubs Scout?" (PDF). Retrieved 4 January 2017. The Chief Scout (CS) is usually a full time employed member of the staff and is responsible for liaising with the club's technical staff (Technical Director, Academy Director, Manager etc) and setting the scouting assignments for the clubs network of other scouts.
  13. "Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino 'very disappointed' by chief scout Paul Mitchell decision to leave club". TalkSport. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  14. Beesley, Chris (9 October 2016). "Chief scout Atkins quits Everton for Aston Villa". LiverpoolEcho.co.uk. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  15. Amako, Uche (3 October 2016). "Manchester United send chief scout to watch winger: Three Premier League clubs also keen". express.co.uk. Daily Express. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  16. Daly, V (21 October 2016). "Celtic move closer to appointing new chief scout". msn.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.