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Chief Referee's report - Izmir, Turkey February 2010
Overall everything went really well, I retook my theory exam without any problems and Tony Dent was also in attendance at this event.
During the referees briefing on Thursday evening, the chairman of the referees commission for Europe, advised everyone that a new zero tolerance ruling had been brought in regarding alcohol for any official at a European or World event. Anyone found in breach of this will have their qualifications withdrawn, not just at this event but all future ones. Also, we were informed that a strict check of gi's would be carried out by the arbitrator at the beginning of each bout, this was in regards to length of trousers, sleeves and the Gi top. Additionally, a change had been made in regards to attempted throws, if this manoeuvre is attempted and fails, this is now classed as a category one penalty.
Day 1
Today was really cold in the sports stadium, brass monkey weather! Tony Dent and I both judged Kata, I also refereed and judged Kumite which included refereeing one semi final and two bronze fight offs. We both managed to watch some of the England fights and could hear the strong vocal support they were receiving.
Day 2
Sadly, today was no warmer, but I was feeling a bit better as I was armed with my trusty long johns, Tony was a bit envious! I refereed two semi finals and one bronze fight off, I was not as involved as much today due to there being some really good England perfomances on my area. Tony and I watched some of these bouts with National Coach Wayne Otto OBE, and was impressed by the high standards and results the fighters were achieving.
Day 3
The long johns were in action again! Once again, due to the great performances of the English fighters, I could only referee when an English fighter was not involved in the ensuing matches on my area but, I did manage to get picked to judge on the bronze final. Tony was also picked to judge on a Kata bronze repecharge event.
There was the referees’ debriefing and the Commission were pleased regarding the small number of injuries at this event, there was no protests received and they were quite pleased with the behaviour of the coaches around the areas. Chico Mbakwe (from Wales) announced that this would be his last championship in Europe or at a World level and everyone stood and gave him a round of applause and he was presented with a framed picture.
Overall a good championships with some excellent results from England.
Posted 2nd January 2010
Chief Referee and Referee Assistants
The Chief referee will now have the option of having up to 5 assistants, the assistants will have input into courses and be able to make recommendations.
A payment will be made to 2 assistants at a referees course and other referees can be used as and when required, payments to assistants will be made from the chief referees fee. These payments will ensure that referees assistants get paid for attendance and will assist in providing enough cover at courses.
All referees courses will now be held on squad training days at the same venue this will reduce costs and will enable referees and athletes the option of travelling together which helps reduce costs for those attending and also gives the referees the ability to join the squads during the course for practical training.
A new group of elite referees will be created, A* assistant tatami chiefs and tatami chiefs which will be approx 18.
These people will be invited onto the elite courses for tatami training and for European / World preparation.
Everyone will have to pay on these 2 elite courses but European and World qualified officals are not required to pay on any of the other referees courses.
There will be 6 open kumite courses, 2 kata courses and 2 Elite courses per year these will be held at various venues in the North, Midlands and South ensuring that everyone has access to them.