On Oct 7th 2017 in Rotherham (UK), BIPHA (National Governing Body for In Line Hockey in Great Britain) was organizing a referees training with Gordon Young. On a constructive way, Kathy Morris asked CERILH if this training could be the occasion, knowing the activity of Gordon as previous ref in Chief at an international level, to deliver European Degrees to give new opportunities to those referees.

Anticipating the new governance of the referees’ commission inside CERILH, it has been asked to Alba Calera Scanlan to evaluate this request as an opportunity or not for CERILH. This discussion phase, inside CERILH and with Gordon Young, helped Alba and CERILH board to formalize a vision of what it means to be a referee inside the CERILH project. It is a help in the way a training should be oriented to fulfill to the vision of a competent referee.

This vision is defined below:

  • The referee is the authority, but it is more like a teacher rather than like a policeman. Referees are not on the field to be feared, they are open to communication but they will be strict when necessary.
  • Showing confidence and knowledge of the rules, being able to explain certain decisions when necessary.
  • A ref should always be in movement with the importance of the physical shape, good skating skills and the willingness to always move on the field. This improves the body language, presence and improve natural authority 
  • More communication between referees, both in the field and outside the field. Eye-contact and verbal interaction when necessary. 
  • Good relationship with scorekeepers.
  • Eye-contact with coaches and communication with them when necessary. Psychology in the emotions management.
  • Importance of not talking badly about others referees, specially in front of other people. We are a team, the referees’ team.  Even if we don’t agree on calls, that shouldn’t be criticized, a discussion can be made afterwards. There is not even a need for that, sometimes perspectives show different angles of a same situation.
  • When writing reports about Game Penalties, details about the situation are important, so that the committee can take a fair decision. 
  • European project is focusing on reducing the stick usage in the players’ opposition. This needs a particular focus
    • Avoid the usage of the stick when it is not done to play the puck
    • Promote a hockey where the player stick handling is safe
    • Push players to skate more instead of being late on the action and use the stick to prevent puck owner
    • Accept more body opposition, less cross opposition
    • Accepting more body oppositions, no compromise on bad gestures (elbowing, cross checking…)

After a constructive exchange, it has been approved that this session would be the occasion of delivering European Degrees. At the end of the session, 4 referees have been awarded with the European Degree. Names are:

  • Jason Coles
  • Stepan Ptacek
  • Carl Grayson
  • Liam Faulkner

Thank you to BIPHA and Gordon Young for this opportunity.