Referees by the Dozen

By Filipe

Once again, through the courtesy of Lotto, a fine technical course was hosted by SATTB, namely that of a Tournaments Referees Course. The course ran for two days (15 & 16/12/08) under the idyllic skies of sunny Germiston.

Seventeen prospective referees attended the course under the guidance of Arthur Williams – himself an ITTF accredited International Referee.

The topics over the two days ranged from responsibilities to the duties and conduct of a Referee. From scheduling to ranking to carrying out a successful tournament draw. And from handling appeals to the interpretation the rules to taking effective action to curb unruliness and disruptive behaviour.

In the end, all attendees were sent on their way with a task in hand. A task that will test their metal and understanding of what it means and takes to be a Tournament Referee. A task that entails the completion of a Referees exam paper by a set date. A mammoth task at best.

It is said that practice makes perfect. A tenet that the attending incumbents will have to apply should they wish to grow as Referees.