KNOW THE RULES!
EDUCATING the game’s lawmakers is of utmost importance. That was the central theme of the International Referee Candidate Course, which began in Doha last week.
Eighteen referees from across the world, including three from Qatar, are attending the eight-day course, moderated by FIVB Rules of the Game Commission President Sandy Steel.
The course, which concludes on Saturday, comprises theoretical discourses and practical exercises.
“Such courses are a way of taking the game forward. This is the new generation of referees,” Steel told Doha Stadium Plus. “They’ll be the custodians of the game once we bow out of the scene. They’re going to be the face of volleyball when it comes to officiating.”
Steel, who was the technical director of the Scottish Volleyball Association, dwelled further on the course module.
“The referees who complete the course will be given an attestation and their names will be forwarded to the FIVB Referee’s Commission in January. So it’s like a learning licence in driving. You get the licence to practise! They’ll then be on a trial for a specified period during which they’ll officiate in a certain number of matches as insisted by FIVB.
“Once they complete the trial period, they’ll be assessed again and then the qualified candidates will be eligible to officiate in international events,” Steel added.
The Scot is no stranger to Doha having been part of the evaluation team when the Golden Formula rule, the brainchild of Qatar Volleyball Association Technical Director Hussein Imam Ali, which was used on a trial basis during the 2009 FIVB Club World Championship.
“The game is moving at a fast pace here. So officiating also needs to be accurate. Such courses will help referees from the region a lot,” said Steel.
Talking about the challenges of new referees, especially for those from the Middle East, Steel said language was the main barrier.
“English is a universal language and it’s important that everyone knows it. Refereeing is a multi-tasking job. It’s not only about managing the game, but also managing people. So I believe knowledge of English must be a prerequisite for everyone who wants to take up officiating,” he concluded.
