Report from RC-Chairmain
Thomas Gilardi (SUI)
The IFF Referee Committee has
gone through fundamental changes due to the CB elections in 2002. The new RC's
structure has been set up by Thomas Gilardi and is functioning properly. RC
support is being delivered by Axel Wester (until August 2003) and henceforth by
Stefan Kratz.
The communication between the
committees' members Klaus Koskela, Daniel Würmlin and Thomas Gilardi is
efficient and good. Decision-making is an easy task, due to the fact that the
philosophy of referee-management lies close together.
IFF RC appreciates the trust
in its work by the CB-members and hopes to be able to give the right answers to
the challenging tasks set by guaranteeing satisfying referee and observer
performances.
U19 WC in Prague has been held
without problems. IFF RC tried to find a good mixture between experienced and
newcoming referees for the tournament. The organizing federation was given the
chance to have two referee pairs in the tournament and one of the referee pairs
was even nominated for the final match, well earned by the good performance
delivered and fully in line with IFF RC strategy to build up more top-class
referee-pairs.
The logistic work carried out
by the tournament organizers was excellent and the transport service was near
perfect. IFF RC would like to thank the organizers for the nicely arranged
Referee Dinner.
·
Teamwork RC - Jury
IFF RC would like to thank
head of Jury Renato Orlando and his crew. Teamwork between Jury and RC has
developed very positively during the past year and worked very well during the
tournament, especially seeing the good balance during the various meetings
(including technical meeting and referee meeting).
·
Observation
The fact that IFF RC was
only able to provide two (!) official observations during the U19 WC is
problematic. Serious referee observation needs at least two game observations
per referee pair. If we want to improve referee performances with a lasting
effect we would need an average four observers per big tournament.
We are well aware of the fact that this is primarily a matter of
funding, but it is nevertheless also a question of setting priorities by the
IFF. If we define our task in developing the referees and sending them home to
their respective countries and championships with improved skills and worthwile
knowledge, then we must take this chance. Only consistent perception of
floorball among the international referees can provide improved play all over
the floorball world.
·
Outfit
It is embarrassing, when
international IFF referees are forced to wear national referee dresses of
various brands during international and most important IFF tournaments. Given
that, sponsors and spectators are completely unable see uniformity in the IFF
world.
IFF RC will only allow the
nomination of three male referee pairs (plus one female referee pair) per
member nation next year. The nominations shall be valid for the period of two
years in order to give IFF RC at least a minimum occasion to conduct referee
career planning and appointment planning from low-level to top-class.
IFF RC has no other option
but to ask the founder nations for support to make a supplementary observer
available during international top events. Costs shall be taken over by the
respective founder nation. This makes a consistent referee improvement and
assessment possible and aims for better integration of many other IFF member
nations in know-how exchange and skills transfer.
An international rules group
needs to be founded as soon as possible as an important focus of future
development. The coordination of this temporary international work group must
be assured by IFF RC and IFF RACC. Work should be started soon if targets shall
not be below target.
How should IFF RC appoint
international referees to international games if IFF member nations do not
notify the international federation of upcoming matches? Coordination in the
IFF world has to be improved strongly if we want to earn more international
respect and support for our sport. We should think about how to lead the member
nations to a better and more active communication towards the IFF, even if by
means of financial sanctions.
January 2004
The Chairman of the IFF
Referee Committee
Thomas Gilardi