If you’ve ever stood watching judging at a cat show and wondered what the people working quietly alongside the judges actually do — that’s stewarding, and it’s one of the most rewarding ways to get involved in the GCCF show world.
Stewards are the people that assist the judges: handling cats, keeping everything running smoothly, and learning the breeds and the show routine from the judges themselves. Some people steward purely for the love of it. Others use it as the first step on the path to becoming a GCCF judge. Both are equally valued — and either way, the journey starts in the same place.
Here’s exactly how to become a GCCF steward, step by step.
What does a steward actually do?
A steward works with a judge during a show, handling and presenting cats so the judge can assess them, and helping keep everything run on time. You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications to start — just an interest in cats, a willingness to learn, and the ability to be gentle, calm and reliable around cats. The judges and other stewards will show you the ropes.
It’s hands-on, sociable, and genuinely the best way to learn how shows work from the inside.
Step 1: Join the GCCF Stewarding Scheme
Becoming a steward officially begins when you join the Guild of GCCF Judges & Stewards, the body that runs stewarding for the GCCF. There are just two things to do:
- Complete the short steward application form.
- Pay the £5 membership fee for your first year by BACS, using your own name as the payment reference.
Once your form and payment reach us, you’re enrolled on the scheme and you’ll receive confirmation by email. You’ll also be sent your welcome pack, which includes your Guild membership, the GCCF Notes for Stewards, a set of Initial Stewarding Certificates, a set of Table Work Certificates, and the Application Form to Progress to Fully Qualified.
You can help out at shows informally before you join — and you’re welcome to — but your engagements only count towards qualifying once you’re a member. So joining first is what unlocks everything that follows. (You need to be 16 or over to join; younger enthusiasts can take part through the Young Exhibitor Scheme.)
→ Joining the Stewarding Scheme, in detail
Step 2: Get yourself onto the Steward Directory
The Steward Directory is where show managers and judges look when they need stewards near their venue. Adding yourself means shows can come to you, rather than you having to chase them — which makes landing those first engagements far easier.
→ Register on the Steward Directory
Step 3: Complete your engagements and certificates
To become a fully qualified GCCF Steward, you complete the following at GCCF licensed shows:
- Six stewarding engagements, spread across as many sections as possible — a minimum of four different sections, working with a range of different Full Judges. (No more than two certificates from any one judge count towards your six, and up to two of the six may be at the Household Pet section.)
- Two Table Work Certificates, gained at All Breed Championship Shows. (This is waived if you’re already a Section or Show Manager.)
- One veterinary stewarding session — stewarding for the duty vet at a show for at least half a day.
After each engagement you submit your completed certificate by email to admin@gccftraining.org within 28 days of the show. Scans or clear photos are absolutely fine. There’s no need to post anything.
→ Booking your engagements · What it’s like on the day · Forms & deadlines
Step 4: Qualify
Once your six engagements, two table-work certificates and veterinary session are done, you submit your Application Form to Progress to Fully Qualified. If everything’s in order, your promotion to fully qualified GCCF Steward is automatic.
And if any questions come up during the review, you won’t simply be turned away — you’ll be offered guidance and support to get there.
Take your time
The best part of the GCCF’s approach is that there’s no time limit and no fixed timetable. Some stewards work through the scheme in a couple of months; many take a year or more, fitting it around the show calendar and their own lives. If a few months pass between shows, that’s completely normal — just pick it up again when you can.
Thinking of going further?
Stewarding is also the foundation of the judging pathway. If you think you might one day like to judge, it’s worth knowing that early, because a couple of your stewarding steps dovetail neatly into judge training. We explain how on From Steward to Judge.
Ready to start?
The friendliest place to begin is our Start Here guide, which walks you through everything above in plain English. And if you’d like to meet judges and stewards in person before you commit, come and find us at a GCCF Roadshow — it’s the easiest first step of all.
Any questions at all, email admin@gccftraining.org — we read and reply to every one. Welcome to the GCCF; we’re glad you’re here.
