As part of the 2nd EJU Special Need Event the Judo Bond Netherlands organized a SN-Judo referee course on November 5th 2010 in Baarlo (L)

The initial request for this seminar came from the International Special Olympics organization in order to train Greek SN referees .

For the World Summer Games judo event in Athens 2011 there should be a number of local, licensed SN-Judo officials and referees available.  In Greece however there is not too much knowledge and experience with SN judo.

Judo Bond Netherlands saw the request of the International Special Olympics organization as a great sign of recognition and appreciation in relation to the level and content of the Dutch SN activities.  Next to the Greek group (6) there were also referees from Ireland (2), Scotland (1) Sweden (2) Finland (1) and Australia (1).  Last but not least also 3 Dutch referees who participated in the seminar.  The seminar was given in English.  Next to the SN referees the foreign and domestic coaches and officials were invited to be “observers”.  The result of this last action was that over 50 people were present in the (small) auditorium of the Baarlo castle. 

( a bit to crowdy )

The theoretical part of the seminar was given on November 5th the practical part was during the tournament on November 6th

The average level of the SN candidates was very high (5 IJF Continentals 1 International) which made it possible instead of spending time on the normal judo rules we could directly focus on the SN essentials. A referee who doesn’t have to think about the judo related things can give the right level of attention to the competitors.

Another essential quality a SN referee should have is empathy for people with mental disabilities, and you must have sufficient knowledge of the physical abilities and disabilities of the participants. It is also an advantage if you understand – from personal experience – how such sportspeople engage in their chosen sport.

Alongside judging and leading the Judo match, the G-Judo referee also gives structure to the match for the lower level competitors and provides security for all participants. He or she must have understanding of the competitor’s emotions, and be able to communicate with them in an effective manner.  All these essentials are covered in the theoretical part of the referee course.  In the theoretical part it is also discussed what are the special rules and additional forbidden actions in SN judo. Example like what are the specific rules for competitors who have additional visual (IBSA) or hearing limitations.

An other special rules covers how to award scores in both Tachi-waza matches – where scoring is done as in all judo games – and in Ne-waza matches with the use of tilting techniques such as : Ippon-seoi-nage,  Koshi-guruma, o-soto-gari, makikomi  etc, where depending on the “landing”, and the control  scores can be awarded with either yuko, wazari or even ippon.

In general the theoretical part of the course was very well received and understood by all the participants. 

How well it was picked up by the participants was proofed the next day in the practical part. Although every participant was linked to an experienced National Dutch SN referee the need for these “mentors” to intervene was minimal.

The JBN is very proud that we managed to deliver 16 new referees to the SN world who will do a great job in leading tournaments.

Judo Bond Nederland

Herman Rurup

Member of the JBN SN committee and Instructor for SN Referees

PS

It is most likely that the Greek and the Irish referees will again in the next Beverwijk G-Judo tournament on April 9th to gain some more experience on the subject of SN refereeing.