REFEREES NEWSLETTER APRIL 2010
Greetings Everyone,
At the time of writing this newsletter we are approaching our final few events of what has been a very busy season. Our referees have supported no less than 5 major National tournaments with numerous Inter County Finals and a string of other subsidiary events throughout the season. Not many weekends have been free of events for us to cover. As always, we have received massive support from our referees who I would thank for their hard work and commitment in helping to make our events so successful.
PROMOTIONS & ACHEIVEMENTS
Three referees have received promotion this season. Nick Ridgeway of Essex was promoted to National Grade referee in March. Nick has been a regular at most of our National events and has been working very hard over the past 3 years to attain his promotion; he is a very popular member with the referee team and the players. Well done Nick, I know everyone will be pleased with your achievement. Eddie Docherty ( Lincs) and Giz Joshi (Warks) both gained their Tournament Grade promotions this season after passing several successful assessments and a final interview. Well done guys.
None of the referee promotions would have been possible without the solid support of our assessors/mentor team. A six strong team of highly experienced referees that diligently work in the background tutoring, mentoring and supporting our referees now give every referee an opportunity to progress and improve if they wish to do so.
Two referees have been nominated by the Referees Sub Committee to represent England Squash & Racketball at the European Team Championships in Aix au Provence during April/May, namely, Jeff Williams (Yorks) and Clive Smith (Yorks). I'm sure they will both work hard as well as play hard in Aix. That is, if they manage to get a flight over the volcanic ash cloud!!
REFEREES DAY
Originally arranged for September 19th 2009, but, because it coincided with a county event, we had to rearrange the date for 14th November. We had around 35 referees attend the day and it was good to see a number of new faces. The day started with lunch at the clubhouse (Coventry S.C.) and then followed with updates from Chris Nutley and myself giving progress with a number of referee development projects. Roy Gingell (Wales) and John Massarella ( Yorks), both World Referees gave presentations on various aspects of Match Management. Such was the interest that we ran on until gone 6.00 pm. ( and could have gone on longer). Referees then played some squash/racketball and met later for dinner at the club to quiz Roy and John further well into the night.
The feedback about the day was extremely positive, and I will try to provide more time for discussion and the inclusion of other topics at future days. It goes without saying because of the success of the last two Referee Days that this event will now be a permanent annual feature in the referee's calendar. Thanks to everyone that supported with their attendance.
REFEREE ROADSHOW
Following my invitation for counties to join forces and rally referees together, I am pleased to report that David Williams (Dorset) has arranged, along with neighbouring counties, to stage a Referees Roadshow at Ringwood on May 8th. The ‘Roadshow' is primarily designed to provide existing referees who would not normally have the opportunity to attend National Events to be updated with the latest rules and interpretations, match management, psychology, assessment process etc. We are very much aware at ESR that some qualified referees, particularly in Southern England, are not able to attend National events that are predominantly staged in the Midlands and North. The ‘Roadshows', will, at least, make it possible for these referees to get support on a local basis from some of our top referees. World Referees, Roy Gingell and John Massarella will present the ‘Roadshows' and be available for advice and support to the attending referees.
If you are a referee or county referee coordinator, and would be interested in working with other county associations to organise a Referee Roadshow, please contact Martin Roberts.
England Squash & Racketball will provide the services of Roy Gingell and John Massarella. Organisers will only have to provide a venue with a meeting room large enough to seat attendees.
REFEREE INSTRUCTORS
Roy Gingell has been appointed as ESR Referee Instructor to run ESR Referee Workshops in counties Avon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Contact details are on the ESR Website or contact Martin Roberts
SQUASH DOUBLES
Yes.....I did say doubles. Its popularity may not be in the same league as singles squash, but it still attracts players of all ages across the world and can be a testing game of attrition and team work. The Commonwealth Games, to be staged later this year in Delhi, will include Squash Doubles and ESR arranged to run an International Doubles Tournament at the National Squash Centre during March to enable some Commonwealth nations to get some ‘practice' games and an opportunity to play on the ‘wider' courts before the real thing. England, Scotland, Wales, Australia, Malaysia and India all, had representative teams in Mens, Womens and Mixed events. The players, as well as the referees were on a ‘learning curve', but by the end of the tournament, I think all had benefited from the experience. Thanks to all the referees that supported. Another Tri Nations (England Scotland & Wales) will be run early August at Manchester this year, if you fancy being involved. Doubles Rules are available to download from the ESR Website.
JUNIOR REFEREES
We have recognised the importance of educating our junior players with the rules and interpretations and also about mutual respect needed between players and officials, This season I have been in a position to be able to fund our team of qualified Referee Instructors to attend and present short Junior Workshops on Regional Training days with the cooperation of Area Squash Managers and Regional Coaches. To date, we have been asked to organise 4 courses, all of which ran very successfully. We need ASMs and coaches to recognise the importance of this service we are now able to offer. Hopefully, we can do more in the future. If you are involved with junior squash and would like more information, contact Martin Roberts.
ESR WEBSITE
The ESR Website is now up to date with regard to refereeing matters. You can also download, The Rules, Doubles Rules, Racketball Rules, Players Code of Conduct, Referees Code of Conduct, and other useful items. After signing into the Website, click onto Competitions then, click onto the Referees page for details. If there are other referee related items you would like to see on the website, please contact me.
RACKETBALL
The National Racketball Championships 2010 will be held at Edgbaston Priory, Birmingham on May 8th 9th. I am pleased to say, we have received good support from referees who will be attending this event, many thanks to all concerned. All Referees are now required to be able to officiate Racketball matches. If you want advice contact Martin Roberts or, for the rules, download free from the ESR Website. Part of the training of all future referees now includes instruction on Racketball within our education program and Referee Workshops.
REFEREES CODE OF CONDUCT
Although I have mailed all referees a copy of the Referees Code of Conduct on a couple of occasions, some of you have apparently been missed out, so I have included another attachment for your information. The Code simple aims to set out the way we are expected to conduct ourselves and behave as ESR referees and, whilst it is extremely rare that any serious infringements are made, sometimes, referees ‘unwittingly' breach the code with minor indiscretions. I would remind everyone of the Referees Dress Code which requires referees to wear approved clothing at events. ESR Referee branded Shirts/Sweaters/Sweatshirts/fleeces are available to all referees, in addition to this, you are expected to wear black or grey trousers/skirts and black shoes. Other clothing items such as, jeans, cords, tracksuit bottoms, trainers etc. are not acceptable. Having said that, I must compliment the vast majority of referees on their very smart and professional appearance at events.
If you have a complaint or issue to raise, you should discuss this with either the Tournament Referee (at an event) or myself in private. Inappropriate discussion with your peers, especially in public, can create a negative atmosphere at events and be perceived as' making unnecessary trouble'. Both these items are covered in the Referees Code of Conduct. The Referees Sub Committee is primarily responsible for the implementation of the Code and any subsequent disciplinary action. It is extremely important for us all to abide by our code and continue to maintain the high standards expected of us.
REFEREE EXPENSES
We are currently reviewing the referee expenses system, with a view to making it into a fairer way to distribute and reimburse referees. We will, hopefully be in a position to make further announcements shortly.
REFEREE CLOTHING
Most referees now possess a new Referees collared shirt and I trust I have kept my promise to provide one to everyone who has attended a National Event this season. The majority like the change of garment and I have received favourable comments from both referees and people that see us as referees. I have now included on our list of Referee Clothing, a Royal Blue Polo shirt which some referees have asked to be available. I would prefer that referees still use the collared shirt for major events and that the polo shirt be only used as ‘backup' clothing when attending events longer than 2 days. For details contact Martin Roberts.
If you wish to have any topic or item included in future Newsletters, I will be pleased to hear from you
Finally, thank you for your kind and helpful support this season. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Kind Regards
Martin Roberts - Referee Development Officer
England Squash & Racketball
Phone: 01302 536202
Mobile: 07833240367
Email: martin.roberts@englandsquashandracketball.com