International Umpire Course
ITF Taekwon-do Australia members comprising of Senior Vice President Master EL-Sheikh, Vice President Paul Harper, Treasurer Michelle Harper, Umpire Chairman Gerard Kelly & Instructor Trevor McIntyre attended the International Umpire Course held in Auckland New Zealand and conducted by the ITF Umpire Committee Master Katz & Master Ottesen. Thank you to Master Mahesh Bhana, Mrs Natasha Iotua, Master Paul McPhail and their organising team for hosting a hugely successful event.
Below is a report from ITF Taekwon-do Australia Umpiring Director Gerard Kelly;
Wow!! What a great weekend for one of the best International Umpires courses I have EVER attended!! (I have been to 3 now!) Participants from all over New Zealand and Australia gathered for this fantastic and informative event on the 30th April and 1st May. Umpiring director Master Alberto Katz and Master Kurt Ottesen came to the land of the long white cloud to instruct us in the noble art of umpiring.
As this was a qualifying event for the next few international events, it held particular significance for myself, as I have been accepted as one of the umpires to represent Australia at the next world championships in Ireland 2017.
The 2 days were filled with so much information it can make the head spin, but Master Katz and Ottesen were such a fantastic team, spreading the theory and practice out beautifully. The exercises really made you think and under pressure too! Believe me when I say that even the most experienced umpires can have a brain snap! (Ask the Aussies what happened!)
Absolutely everything was covered, leaving no stone unturned, with all questions answered with a certainty that comes only from experience. These Masters really know their stuff and truly care about ensuring that the umpires that are selected are the best at what they do!
Now to go and practice just as hard as the athletes do because they deserve the best from their umpires! If you get a chance to go, even if you are not an umpire yet, but a competitor, then you really need to get along as well. These seminars can give you an insight into what the umpires are looking for in all the disciplines.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the floor umpiring!
Taekwon
Gerard Kelly V Dan
