by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Locations of International Referee Schools will be according to the geographical distribution of the candidates and offers from associations; the trainers in charge of proceedings will be Germany’s Michael Zwipp and Austria’s Werner Thury.

National associations who wish to nominate candidates to become International Referees must meet the following requirements:

……….qualified as an International Umpire for at least two years

……….passed the ITTF Advanced Rules Examination in the previous three years

……….qualified as a National Referee (under a national association´s referee education and qualification programme or successfully completed a three day ITTF National Referee course and examination) for at least two years

……….proven referee experience in three national championships or two international events (with at least one as a referee)

……….competent knowledge of English

……….candidates who fail the examination have a waiting period of two years before they can apply again for an International Referee School. They cannot retake an examination more than twice in five years

Invitation to host International Referee School, the general requirements:

……….minimum number of candidates attending the International Referee School: six persons

……….organizers will have priority for any remaining vacant places

……….maximum number of candidates attending the International Referee School: 12 persons

……….four full days of education, examination and interview

……….the course, examination and interview will be conducted in English only, without interpretation or translation.

The ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee is responsible for the travel costs for trainers if participation is open to all interested associations

It is the task of the organiser to provide:

……….hospitality and local transport for the trainers

……….training facilities (should be available from the evening before the event starts)

……….a training room with sufficient desks plus projector, internet and flipchart

……….provide package for accommodation, meals and airport transfer arrangements for all participants

Meanwhile the participants must provide their own travel, accommodation, meals and insurance costs plus a course fee of US$100 per person

For further information kindly contact:

Werner Thury, Deputy Chair ITTF Umpires and Referees Committee Deputy Chair responsible for Referees

Email: [email protected]