US Squash Santa Barbara Officiating Clinic
by Nick-at-Will

February 23, 2014 - Amazing turn out at the first U.S. Squash Officiating Clinic hosted at the Santa Barbara Athletic Club by head coach Orla O'Doherty, with over 50 juniors and a few adults from Santa Barbara, San Diego and Los Angeles attending on Saturday, February 22nd. The clinic's clinician was Bob Hanscom, nationally certified U.S. Squash referee, assessor and instructor.

During the two-hour session, nearly all of the juniors attending brought notebooks, took notes and asked many questions during the lectures, demonstrations and question & answer period.

According to U.S. Squash, the game is inherently challenging with Rules that can affect match outcomes. The presence of qualified referees enhances safety and produces fairer outcomes. The ongoing development of players’ comfort in their own refereeing ability, as well as the provision of top level referees, are both critical parts of the long term growth of the sport

U.S. Squash Referee Certification is competency-based and requires continuing education and assessment at each level.  There are four levels of referee certification – Club, District, Regional, and National.

Certification is the process used to specify an official’s level of technical competence. To become a certified referee, the first step is completing an online Club Referee Exam, and in the case of junior players, attending a free officiating clinic to complete certification at the age-appropriate level.

All U.S. Squash members are encouraged to gain Club Referee certification, the basic level of referee status within the certification levels.

Debbie Brown, Director of the Santa Barbara School of Squash, whose students attended the clinic, went on record to say "So. Cal. juniors will be much better referees after Bob is done with them!" Now...it's off to San Diego on Saturday, March 8th for another hopefully just as successful officiating clinic for their juniors.






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