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NORTH WALES CLUB GRADE REFEREE ASSESSMENT SESSION
Andrew Evans will be providing an opportunity for anyone requiring a club grade practical assessment to attend Saints Squash Club on 28th April at 2pm.
If you have already attended a course or will be attending the course in Wrexham Brymbo on 21st April use this as an opportunity to complete the practical part of the process to becoming qualified.
If you intend attending could you email [email protected] to be added to the attendance list.
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Huw Moores is one of Wales Referees of the future. He is currently part of the Squash Wales Referee mentoring programme where he is being advised and guided by World Referee Roy Ginell. Huw has just recently returned from his first Internatioanl experience as a referee and here is how it went:
Refereeing at Europeans Team Championships 2012 in Nurmeburg (ETC 2012).
When Mike Workman first asked if I would consider being nominated by Squash Wales to attend the Europeans Team Championships 2012 in Nurmeburg, I was completely unaware of the wonderful experience that it would eventually become. It was without doubt, the panicle of my 30 years of squash as a player, coach and referee.
The tournament was over 4 days and the busy schedule meant that I would be Refereeing and Marking four matches each day. To add to the pressure each day we would be assessed on our performance by the World Referee Assessors, John Massarella and Wendy Danzey, Roy Gingell was still at home in Wales recovering from his snapping achilles tendon. At the start of each day we had a Referees conference where the format of the day and any tournament issues were discussed, it was also where the match schedule was issued giving me the first indication of what matches I would be officiating. It was at this point I realised the full impact of what I was involved in! After finding my name I looked for the teams I would be Refereeing, Finland – Italy (W), France – Scotland (W), Spain – Portugal (M), England – Denmark (M), Roy had told me to get stuck in and give it my best shot and I am sure he had some input in the scheduling of the first day, by the time I got to the England – Denmark game at the end of the day I was pretty exhausted. It is quite easy though to keep focused when you introduce the game to the crowd and the No 1 string match was James Willstrop v Kristain Frost.
Day 1 Willstrop v Frost
I finished refereeing on day one at 8.30pm and was shattered after the relentless concentration required to maintain focus and concentration during the 4 matches.
The tournament continued at this pace as did my learning curve, due to the speed of the games and the ability of the players my refereeing ability was tested constantly. I had to deal on several occasions with blood injuries, self-inflicted injuries, contributed injuries, applying the Code of Conduct and also the unique experience of Davide Bianchetti of Italy, who I must say is a gentlemen, off the court. The real pressure moment for me from a refereeing point of view was the Germany – Denmark match on the show court which was being live streamed. A huge partisan crowd added to the pressure whilst I was being assessed by Wendy and the rivalry between these two geographic neighbours was plain to see through the match. To say I was drained, both mentally and physically is an understatement and it was after my post match feedback from Wendy I realised the full magnitude of refereeing at this level. It had become clear to me, that there was a huge amount of experience around me amongst the other officials who were all very hospitable and willing to give advice and share experiences once we returned to our hotel.
By the last day, I had adjusted to the full schedule and after some really positive feedback after passing a National Level Assessment, I was looking forward to the finale of the tournament which did not disappoint. The last day was as relentless as the previous three and my final match was the final of Div 2 between Switzerland and Spain which proved to be a colossal match lasting over 3 hours, a fitting way to end off the whole of my ETC 2012 experience, (apart from the after tournament dinner).
ETC 2012 was an outstanding experience and on reflection, when Mike asked me if I would consider being nominated to officiate, I had no idea of the huge opportunity it was to develop my Refereeing abilities. I must say a big thank you to Squash Wales for giving me the opportunity and in particular Roy Gingell for all his guidance and help in my development.
Thank you!
Huw Moores
