TALES COCTHE NEWSLETTER OF BWF TECHNICAL OFFICIALS JANUARY 2020 • EDITION NO. 26

TOKYO

2020 FROM THE CHAIR BY By Gilles Cavert GILLES Chair – BWF TOC CAVERT Let me first wish all of you a happy and prosperous new year 2020……

2020 is a special year with two Major Events being organised: the 2020 Olympic Games and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

With less than 200 days to go, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are approaching at a very high speed, not only for players, coaches, spectators and TV viewers, but also for TOs. Here, TOs will probably have one of the most exciting weeks of their officiating careers.

The Olympic Games, for players, is a dream which come true and every match is played as if it was the match of a lifetime. The search for the gold medal is an incredible challenge, which requires decades of preparation and hard training.

This should inspire the BWF TOs selected for both the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to continuously increase their level of performance and willingness to improve, in order to be in line with the players’ expectations. Be prepared in the most efficient way; mentally, physically and technically.

Your preparation for Tokyo starts now…

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UPDATE FOR REFEREES By Jane Wheatley We also said goodbye to Juniarto Suhandinata A very busy year Chair – BWF Referee Assessment Panel (INA) whom, after many years of service as a BWF Certificated Referee and in recent years We began January 2019 with a Referee By the time this magazine goes to print 2019 a BWF Referee Assessor, is now retiring. A Workshop. Seven candidates participated in will be a memory and we are hurtling along man of wisdom, he was always considered in the Accreditation Workshop and I am pleased into another decade….2020. his reply, calm and with firmness of decision. to welcome four new BWF Referees into our During his years as a referee, Juniarto was fold: At the close of 2019 we said farewell and considered by the BWF to be in the top ▸ Yau Lin Na (MAS) thank you to many of our technical officials echelon of the referee team. Juniarto will be ▸ Julien Nys (BEL) who have contributed countless years of missed and we wish him well and many happy ▸ Artur Zaluzhnoi (EST) service. As the incoming Chair of the Referee years ahead with his family. ▸ Zheng SanLiang (CHN) Assessor Panel, I often reflect on the legacy created by Torsten during his tenure as the Amongst our family of referees 2019 was the We also welcomed Suvashini Chair of the Referee Panel and member of the year of retirement for five referees: Sivapathasundram (Suva) as Technical BWF Technical Official Commission. So many ▸ Gretha Prinsloo (RSA) Officials Manager. The workload in the office years of wonderful service, a man whom ▸ Ronny De Vos (BEL) is immense and we are very pleased to have I consider to have the gift of empathy and ▸ Ahmad Azad Pahlavan (IRQ) Suva on-board and sharing the load across compassion for his fellowman. ▸ Ajith Wijayasinghe (SRI) the technical official’s area. Suva comes ▸ Susana Maldonado (POR) to us with a background of working for the May I suggest that we all take on board some Association of , so was of his skills: be approachable, understand the My heartfelt thanks to you all for the many well able to step into this role in the office. importance of listening before jumping in with years of service you have contributed. I wish both feet and know that showing a softer side you well in whatever pathway you now choose In terms of technical issues, referees have is not a weakness; it is a strength. to take. I hope we see you still involved with been putting forward recommendations your Continental Confederation as you have across many areas of the GCR and ITTO’s with Fortunately, for us all, Torsten is still in an enormous amount of knowledge and the express purpose of improving our game. the wings with his continued contribution wisdom to share with our up-and-coming and support. technical officials. Continued on next page

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There is often the question as to what happens alongside a BWF Semi-Professional Referee We have a clear grading system to keep our to these recommendations. Chris Trenholme, or Certificated Referee, as well as a BWF referees performing at their best. Senior Technical Events Manager, diligently Referee Assessor to help support. records these recommendations/ suggestions Referees who are passionate about their job for internal review and, if necessary, they are Candidates are: and who want to be the best will work hard, put forward for consideration to the Events ▸ Chris Lawrence (USA) improve their skills and grades and gain Department Meeting Group who are tasked to ▸ Shirly Gabay (BRA) recognition and duties at the highest level. review these proposals submitted by you, the ▸ Diraj Gooneadry (MRI) BWF stakeholders. The Group meets at least ▸ Cleopatra Monco (ITA) As with any new system, constant review is once a year, or more at the direction of BWF ▸ Carmen Martinez (ESP) required to ensure it is sensible and relevant. Council, Events Committee or Staff. ▸ Nicos Vladimirou (CYP) We have been carefully monitoring the ▸ Jozef Kuprivec (SLO) 360-degree system and have made slight An excellent Level One Referee Manual is ▸ Artur Zaluzhnoi (EST) adjustments to the 10 levels of scoring. available online and the Level Two version is in progress. We are finalising the PowerPoint One level of BWF Referee BWF Referee Assessor Panel Terms presentation slides that will be the template of Reference for referees in their preparation the Team Over the past three years, we have been using Managers’ Meeting and Technical Officials the 360-degree appraisal system. This system It was recommended and adopted that the Briefing. Full discussion on these templates will is now firmly in place and whilst the current candidates for BWF Accreditation be 57 be covered at the workshop in February. format is to appraise each referee at least years of age or younger. Our next intake of once over a two-year period, it is envisaged candidates for BWF Accreditation will be held BWF Referee Master Class that this will become an annual appraisal. in 2022. Programme With the involvement of our stakeholders, Grade 3 and CC Championship A BWF Referee Master Class Programme this programme is robust. Appraisals clearly Experience for BWF Referees proposal has been accepted and adopted by identify strengths and weaknesses, and Council and is scheduled for implementation the good and the not so good performers. Discussion was held concerning the need for in 2020, starting at the Referee Workshop. Appraisals and evaluations are the opportunity Continental Confederations to ensure BWF The programme is available to those referees for improvement. Referees are integrated as much as possible retiring from 2032 onward. into their Grade 3 tournaments and Junior Because this appraisal system is so International tournament circuit to ensure The programme will comprise two parts: transparent, we have confidently moved to access to more regular experience. BWF will ▸ Candidates will participate in a specific one level of “BWF Referee”. We acknowledge work with the CC’s to assign BWF Referees to workshop with BWF Staff, selected Semi- that the change is very disappointing to some, Grade 3 tournaments and CC Championships. Professional Referees and BWF Referee however, in the past there was a ceiling on Assessors to further develop their refereeing the number of BWF Certificated Referees and Thank you for your support and dedication to skills; and now the door is wide open. There is no longer the job in your role as a BWF Referee in 2019. ▸ Candidates will be given one additional a situation where, having achieved a certain I wish you well in 2020 with safe travels and a appointment in 2020 as a deputy referee level, referees are resting on their laurels. happy and prosperous New Year.

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UPDATE FOR UMPIRES By Malcolm Banham throughout the event. Chair – BWF Umpire Assessment Panel There is also a review of the ITTOs underway, so please keep I hope you all had a fantastic your eyes open for the updates Christmas and hope you all have coming out in the near future. a prosperous and peaceful new I will be asking questions in year. The last year seems to have the workshops. flown by with much activity. There has been a lot of very good We have welcomed Kelvin Martin feedback from the workshops (BAR) to our Umpire Assessment that have taken place, so Panel. Kelvin has been with us for please remember they are your the last 12 months and is a good workshops to ask questions asset to our team. We welcome or put your mind at rest on David Turner (AUS) and look Assessor workshop being held discuss various points to make any umpiring matters that are forward to David adding value to during the All sure we are all consistent in our bothering you. the panel. Open 2020 in March, which feedback to the umpires. enables the assessors to transmit Remember knowing the Laws and I would like to thank the Umpire information to the CC Assessors As there is no assessment for understanding them helps with Assessment Panel for their as to what we are looking for in BWF Certification this year, quick clear decision making when commitment and dedication in a BWF Umpire. This in turn helps the assessors will have the in the chair. We are all a team undertaking the assessments, them identify and nominate the opportunity to attend more out there; discuss situations and appraisals and workshops for the right umpires for assessment. events which will enable us to see scenarios that have happened benefit of us all. Each assessor umpires we do not normally get to you so we can all learn has their own skills that they bring There is also a BWF Umpire to see, including assessors at the from them. to the Panel. Assessors Meeting being held BWF World Junior Championships before the TOTAL BWF Thomas in Auckland, for the Have a great umpiring experience It will be another busy year for us. and Finals in , first time in many years. There in 2020 and I look forward to There is a Joint BWF-CC Umpire to enable the panel to will be training and workshops seeing you somewhere soon.

www.bwfbadminton.com PAGE 5 PARA BADMINTON – PATHWAYS TOWARDS INTEGRATION FROM 2021

By Torsten Berg Member – BWF Para badminton Commission

Para badminton is in much progress. The World Championships in Basel in 2019 was a major success, and the Paralympics in early September 2020 in Tokyo will likely increase the interest worldwide even more. This means also increasing demands on the technical officials (TO).

In 2019, the Para badminton Events and TO administration has been reinforced by being integrated into the BWF Events Department and the plans are that the Para badminton TO from 2021 shall be as fully integrated in the general BWF TO system as possible. The same age limits for retirement of Para badminton referees and umpires shall apply. Records of work will be similarly requested. Assessments and appraisals using the 360-degree system will be introduced (perhaps slightly later), and so on. These plans are agreed, and we are pleased that they are generally supported by the umpiring Para badminton and badminton BWF Assessor or Para badminton TD/ Committee and Council, but there may still be at the CC level, and if they wish later to Referee) they will be listed as BWF Umpires modifications, and the expenses need to be become BWF they will have to go through with Para experience together with those budgeted for 2020 and 2021. the normal CC system. already on the list.

The pathways for our BWF TO to achieve Para ▸ Other CC umpires who wish to have Para Referees badminton experience and qualifications, badminton experience can go to their CC or if they do not have that already, and for our to an organiser and seek this experience. ▸ Continental Accredited/Certificated experienced Para TO to get BWF Accreditation With experience they usefully can go on Referees with extensive Para badminton are planned as follows. doing Para badminton and other badminton experience can in the next workshop in tournaments. If they wish BWF Umpire early 2022 be tested for BWF Accreditation, Umpires Accreditation at a later date they have to go under the same conditions as anyone else through the CCs. coming from the CCs. When having passed ▸ Continental Accredited/Certificated the test they are listed as BWF Accredited Umpires with extensive Para badminton ▸ BWF Accredited/Certificated Umpires with Referees with Para experience like those experience can be tested in 2021 for BWF no Para badminton experience who have already on the list. If not passing the test, Accreditation, under the same conditions indicated an interest in Para badminton they can go on refereeing Para badminton as anyone else coming from the CCs. when asked recently can in 2021 (and and badminton on CC level, and if they wish When having passed the test they are possibly also the following year(s)), if later to become BWF they will have to go listed as BWF Accredited Umpires with selected, be given Para experience through through the normal CC system. Para experience like those already on the the familiarization program. When having list. If not passing the test, they can go on satisfactory experience (confirmed by a Continued on next page

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▸ Other CC Referees who wish to have BWF Assessor or TD) they will be listed Other wide-ranging changes to be Para badminton experience can go to as BWF Referees with Para experience envisaged in Para badminton their CC or to an organiser and seek this together with those already on the list. experience. With experience they usefully After the 2020 Paralympics it is expected can go on doing Para badminton and other We are pleased to say that the familiarization that the tournament structure for Para badminton tournaments. If they wish BWF program as indicated above has been badminton will be changed, approaching the Referee Accreditation at a later date they granted budget support for 2020, and – structure for other badminton tournaments, have to go through the CCs. as the interest among BWF Referees and with several grades and levels to Umpires was overwhelming – hopefully can accommodate the increasing gap in playing ▸ BWF Accredited/Certificated Referees with be continued in 2021. Six BWF Umpires levels. The elite Para badminton and the no Para badminton experience who have and six BWF Referee colleagues will have new players classified do not benefit from indicated an interest in Para badminton their first Para badminton familiarisation competing each other. The Para badminton when asked recently can in 2021 (and experience in 2020, to be followed by an GCR will have to be thoroughly revised, and possibly also the following year(s)), if appointment as umpire or deputy referee, to later a ITTO for Para badminton shall be selected, be given Para experience through ensure the necessary specialized experience developed, in parallel to the general ITTO. the familiarization program. When having before being confirmed as BWF TO with This work shall be initiated in 2020 and satisfactory experience (confirmed by a Para badminton. finalized after the Paralympics.

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OCEANIA UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT By Badminton Oceania Technical further training and experience. These are to the players. This assists in helping the Officials Committee the first umpires from Samoa to have been players to know their rights on the court – as appointed to an international event outside of well as knowing what not to do. 2019 was an active year for umpire their own country. development in the Oceania Region. New Zealand and continue to punch One of the greatest challenges we encounter well above their weight with their officials Junior players from Fiji, Cook Islands, when developing our Umpires is being able to among the highest qualified in the World. In Tonga, and Samoa attended the Oceania give them invaluable international experience, the Oceania region, training and experience is Development Squad camp in Auckland, New particularly out of our region, however, we the key to getting our officials to a higher level Zealand where the players underwent training also need to ensure that these are quality and we are always looking for opportunities and assessments as part of Oceania Junior experiences as to fund travel both within to attend tournaments out of the region. Umpire program being awarded an accredited and out of the region is expensive due to our Despite our small numbers, during 2019, or certificated Junior Umpire qualification. The location. our technical officials attended a total of 94 Junior Umpire program was developed as a international events during the year both joint initiative by New Zealand and Australia This year we have also been able to support within the region and in all other regions. over 10 years ago with Badminton Oceania developing umpires from Tahiti and New The value of attending a variety of events adapting it for use in the Pacific. Caledonia to attend events within the region cannot be under-stated; we are very grateful working alongside some of our highest to those countries who host our officials at The Pacific Games were held in Samoa, qualified and experiences umpires. This year their events and in return enjoy hosting their with no trained umpires in Samoa this we have established a new volunteer role; officials at our events. We hope to grow these presented us with an opportunity to train Pacific Technical Officials Co-ordinator, which exchanges in the future. local officials as one of the legacy benefits is focused solely on the Pacific Islands to of the event. A two-day course was run by determine and meet their development and the Chair of Badminton Oceania Technical training needs with the ultimate aim of having Editor's Note: This is an example of a Officials (BOTOC) – Peter Cocker, six months more umpires and referee’s from the Pacific CC-focused article. We welcome all prior to the event with ongoing training and Islands achieving BWF qualifications. ideas and potential articles for future assessments held during the event by more versions of COCTales. Please contact experienced umpires from New Zealand, We have also ensured that through our Coach Suvashini Sivapathasundram, Technical Australia, Tahiti and New Caledonia. Following Education programmes that coaches are Officials Manager (s.sivapathasundram@ on from this, two Samoan umpires will attend being educated on rules and regulations with bwfbadminton.org) if you have any the Oceania Championships in 2020 for the intention they will pass on their knowledge suggestions or ideas.

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INTERVIEW WITH EXPERIENCED LINE JUDGE ABBY KUMAR Former BWF Line Judge, Line Judge and President of Badminton Line Judge Association of England

What inspired you to take up during, the 2012 Olympics on your job. As an administrator and trainer, line judging? was recognised by BWF I have learnt to work with people and In my younger days in the award of the understand their needs and aspirations. I I lived not far BWF Meritorious have learnt to appreciate and acknowledge from Wembley Service Award at the work of our workforce, who are basically Arena. I went to the All England volunteers giving up their time for the game. the All England Championships in Championships and March 2013. What advice would you give to aspiring saw line judges? and Punch Gunalan What have been the To enjoy what they are doing and to play in that epic final. highlights of your persevere. There is a lot of responsibility That inspired me to career as a Badminton that goes with the job, but the rewards take up officiating as a Europe Line Judge and are great. There is a pathway for them to way of getting more closely as President of BLJAE? progress through the grades and achieve involved in badminton. I was elected to the position of BWF International Line Judge status, which President of the Badminton Line Judges will put them bang in the middle of the best Take us through the high points of your Association of England in 2014, and also action in the world! career. was elected as Vice President of Badminton For many years I line judged at the All England in the same year. England Championships, the English Nationals and England international Following the success of our recruitment matches. As I grew in experience, I and training programme, I was asked by CONGRATULATIONS! began line judging at other major events, BWF to go to Rio in 2014 and 2015 in order including seven World Championships, two to train and prepare their line judges for the BWF congratulates the following BWF , eight European 2016 Olympics. I was also asked to do the Accredited Referees and Umpires who Championships and European Juniors, as same in Dubai, to recruit and train their line have been upgraded: well as national championships in Denmark, judges for the World Super Series Finals Holland, Norway and other European of 2014 and 2015. Further to this I was BWF Certificated Referee countries. asked to go to Buenos Aires in 2018 to train their line judges for the 2018 World Youth ▸ Ewald Cejnek (AUT) The award of the 2012 Olympics to London Olympics. I am pleased to say that we have saw a major change in my officiating career. left a legacy of officiating at these places, BWF Certificated Umpires Realising that the line judge workforce at especially in the UAE, which has since that time was on the mature side, and that hosted a series of major events, such as the ▸ Ong Swee Khai, Steven (MAS) we needed a younger and properly trained 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu ▸ Phillip Ayoung-Chee (USA) workforce, I got help from Badminton Dhabi. I was also asked to join the BWF Line England in 2007 to start up a line judge Judge Panel in 2016 to provide expert input recruitment and training programme. This to the construction of the BWF Line Judge BWF congratulates the following CC involved writing up a Line Judge Training Manual which has since been published Level Referees and Umpires who have Manual, as well as organising a programme and circulated to Member Nations. been upgraded: of mentoring, assessing, grading and event participation for line judges. What are the valuable lessons you have BWF Accredited Umpires learnt? The outcome of this was a highly trained As a line judge I have learnt from experience ▸ Mansooreh Sadat Jarchian (IRI) and motivated line judge workforce for to be alert and vigilant at all times, even ▸ Asa Sahlberg (SWE) the 2012 Olympics whose excellent toward the end of a 10-hour day, and the ▸ Joerg Hupertz (GER) performance won praise from BWF Referee need to be confident in making your calls ▸ Sydney Galos (NZL) Torsten Berg. My work leading up to, and and above all, to be completely focussed

www.bwfbadminton.com PAGE 9 2020 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS AND APPRAISALS Date Meetings, Workshops and Appraisals Location Country Tournament

07 Jan - 12 Jan Referee Appraisals MAS PERODUA 2020

18 Feb BWF Referee Assessment Panel Meeting Kuala Lumpur MAS N/A

19 Feb - 21 Feb BWF Referee Workshop Kuala Lumpur MAS N/A

22 Feb BWF Referee Master Class Programme Workshop Kuala Lumpur MAS N/A

Mulheim an der 03 Mar - 08 Mar Referee Appraisals GER YONEX 2020 Ruhr in conjunction with YONEX All England Open 09 Mar BWF Semi-Professional Umpire Preparatory Meeting Birmingham ENG 2020 in conjunction with YONEX All England Open 10 Mar - 11 Mar Joint BWF-CC Umpire Assessor Workshop Birmingham ENG 2020

11 Mar - 15 Mar Referee Appraisals, Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Birmingham ENG YONEX All England Open 2020

17 Mar - 22 Mar Referee Appraisals, Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Basel SUI YONEX 2020

24 Mar - 29 Mar Umpire Appraisals & Workshop IND YONEX-SUNRISE Open 2020

31 Mar - 05 Apr Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Kuala Lumpur MAS CELCOM AXIATA Malaysia Open 2020

in conjunction with TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber 13 May BWF Umpire Assessment Panel Meeting Aarhus DEN Cup Finals 2020 in conjunction with TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber 14 May - 15 May BWF TOC Meeting Aarhus DEN Cup Finals 2020 Referee Appraisals, Umpire Appraisals, Workshop & 17 May - 24 May Aarhus DEN TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2020 Assessment for BWF Accreditation

02 Jun - 07 Jun Referee Appraisals, Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Sydney AUS Australian Badminton Open 2020

16 Jun - 21 Jun Referee Appraisals, Umpire Appraisals & Workshop INA Open 2020

18 Aug - 23 Aug Referee Appraisals Akita JPN YONEX Akita Masters 2020

25 Aug - 30 Aug Referee Appraisals Da Nang VIE Open 2020

08 Sep - 13 Sep Umpire Appraisals & Workshop KOR 2020

Referee Appraisals, Umpire Appraisals, Workshop & 15 Sep - 20 Sep Changzhou CHN Open 2020 Assessment for BWF Accreditation

22 Sep - 29 Sep Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Tokyo JPN DAIHATSU YONEX Open 2020

BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships 28 Sep - 03 Oct Referee Appraisals Auckland NZL 2020

28 Sep - 11 Oct Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Auckland NZL BWF World Junior Championships 2020

29 Sep - 04 Oct Referee Appraisals TBC INA 2020 - Super 100

06 Oct - 11 Oct Referee Appraisals Almere NED YONEX 2020

13 Oct - 18 Oct Referee Appraisals, Umpire Appraisals & Workshop DEN DANISA 2020

20 Oct - 25 Oct Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Paris FRA YONEX 2020

27 Oct - 01 Nov Referee Appraisals MAC Macau Open 2020

27 Oct - 01 Nov Referee Appraisals Saarbrucken GER SaarLorLux Open 2020

10 Nov - 15 Nov Umpire Appraisals & Workshop HKG YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open 2020

17 Nov - 22 Nov Referee Appraisals Lucknow IND Syed Modi India International 2020

Gwangju 24 Nov - 29 Nov Referee Appraisals KOR 2020 Metropolitan City

09 Dec - 13 Dec Umpire Appraisals & Workshop Guangzhou CHN HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2020

www.bwfbadminton.com PAGE 10 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BWF LINE JUDGES Confirmed for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

Line Judges Europe Pan Am ▸ Aurore Lequatre (BEL) ▸ Anthony Quiroz Gallardo (PER) Asia ▸ Antonio Cardenas Blanco (ESP) ▸ Luisa Fernanda Salamanca ▸ Chandana Nilantha (SRI) ▸ Gerarda Johanna Maria van der Benitez (COL) ▸ Emiko Ootani (JPN) Geer (NED) ▸ Miguel Angel Leon (CUB) ▸ Foo Leng Huat (MAS) ▸ Johannes Norbert Tekath (GER) ▸ Sital Shoker (CAN) ▸ Jan Hui Fen (TPE) ▸ Kate Rowlatt (ENG) ▸ Kraising Thongtup (THA) ▸ Lina Engl (GER) Africa ▸ Leong Wai Kwan (SGP) ▸ Preben Hansen (DEN) ▸ Cossi Salomon Nonvignon (BEN) ▸ Liu Yu Hsuan (TPE) ▸ Louise Wilson (SCO) ▸ Fifame Honorine Vitohou (BEN) ▸ Samantha Kumari ▸ Marcel Schmit (SUI) ▸ Ludovic Didier Claude (MRI) Nawarathna Mudiyanselage (SRI) Oceania ▸ Tian Xia (CHN) ▸ Joshua Sze-Yu Ho (AUS) ▸ Uday Kumar Aryal (NEP) ▸ Karen Marie Arnold (AUS) ▸ Usa Songnui (THA) ▸ Ravi Nandan Shiva Shankar (AUS)

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