Junior Squash Refereeing
by Nick-at-Will

October 28, 2013 - At a U.S. Squash accredited silver level junior squash tournament this past weekend, (where all junior players are required to be members of U.S. Squash) less than half of the participants had taken the open book refereeing exam.

On July 26th, U.S. Squash communicated to the Junior Squash Community that they would require (by August 5th) that all players pass the online (club level) referee exam in order to maintain a current national ranking. This is part of the overall initiative of U.S. Squash to develop better educated and confident players and referees.

What happens when a (junior) referee's (poor) decision affects the outcome of a match? Have you ever seen this happen? Well...we have! On the surface, this may not seem so earth-shattering or important...but to the player, his or her coach and/or parents, it can be a devastating experience!

Just think of the commitment this squash-player, coach and especially the parents have made. The time involved arranging special schedules to fit in practice and lessons, the travel and of course the financial commitment...all down the drain this particular weekend because of one poor decision made by either an uncaring, inexperienced or not so knowledgeable junior squash-player/referee.

Racquetball and badminton matches are probably not marred as frequently by bad officiating as are squash matches. Squash matches however, can definitely be adversely affected by negligent or inexperienced referees.

At a recent national high school squash championships, we saw the outcome of some games begin to turn because of poor refereeing. This should never be allowed to happen...or at the very least, everything possible needs to be done to ensure that it doesn't.

Mandating that all U.S. Squash junior squash-playing members take the refereeing exam (to maintain a national ranking) is a good start, but in this author's opinion, doesn't go quite far enough considering the circumstance mentioned above, i.e. less than 50% of a junior tournament entrants having fulfilled the responsibility of taking the refereeing test. What this really means is that they've (more than likely) not ever read the Rule book...at all! Maybe it should be mandated that they take and pass the refereeing test in order to "enter" a junior squash tournament...where they will be obligated to referee!

In addition, U.S. Squash says: "For all accredited junior tournaments, Tournament Directors MUST post both the Player Code of Conduct and the Parents, Coaches and Attendees Code of Conduct throughout the duration of their event. At this past weekend's junior event...this was not done!

By posting this information in various locations around the tournament venue, all parties become more familiar with the Rules and expectations outlined in the Code of Conduct. Doing so, Tournament Directors can readily refer to these documents when handling (sensitive) incidents that may occur during their tournament(s).
 
The over-riding principle governing the Rules of Squash is to ensure the safety of both players and to allow a fair result of each rally, game and match. We believe one more step could be taken at U.S. Squash accredited junior tournaments to help achieve this result.

In addition to posting the Rules for Players, Coaches and Parents, why not "employ" (either as a volunteer or paid) a junior squash Tournament Referee!? Most...if not all hosts of junior tournaments have a community of experienced players (certified referees or not) who (we believe) would be happy to serve in such a capacity.

Having a Tournament Referee at junior tournaments would not only take one additional burden off the Tournament Director, but this individual could provide a much-needed service of monitoring the juniors as they take up their (mandated) position in that all-important referee's chair.

For all you junior squash players...just imagine that you're the player out there working your hardest, hoping the "right" decisions will be made while you're giving it your all! Wouldn't you want a competent player/referee sitting in that chair making the (right) decisions!?

Our advice to juniors...take the time to become a certified squash referee...you'll be glad you did! Not only will you be better-prepared to officiate a junior squash match, but by taking the "job" seriously and becoming more knowledgeable...you'll also become a better player!