Become an Umpire & Referee

Refereeing

Croquet is an unusual game in that players themselves are frequently required to be their own “referee” during a game. However as referees are not required for any social or club tournament, they are required for inter club, pennant events and particularly for State or International matches.

A referee is the “expert witness” for any solution where there may be the possibility of a fault being committed, OR to sort out a situation by applying the Laws of Croquet. Becoming a referee is a good way to improve knowledge and skills when playing association croquet.

What to do to Become an Umpire and Referee

1. Talk to other referees and an examining referee. Examining Referees are experienced referees appointed by the Management Committee and are responsible for conducting examinations  for referee and umpire (assistant referee) qualifications.
    
2. Talk to your Regional Referee Coordinator who can conduct law classes, referee seminars and courses and prepare candidates for referee or umpire examination.
    
3. Take every opportunity to read the rule book. Don’t try to read it in isolation but with reference to a lawn situation. When ever a discussion of laws comes up, get out the rule book and read the words applicable to the situation. This is a good way to “apply the laws”.
    
4. Familiarise yourself with the Referees Manual and other resources available.
    
5. Attend a workshop or training course.
    
6. Undertake the examinations, which for candidates seeking qualifications for the first time are:
    

   Umpires –  The examiner demonstrates certain strokes and situations on the court, and the candidate is asked to adjudicate on matters of fact, not law. Questions cover general knowledge, wiring, fault and shot watching, hoop situations, stationary ball situations, double banked play and timekeeping. A pass mark for Part A is 65/75 and Part B 28/32.

   Referees –  The examination is also on the court and is 2 parts. Part 1 comprises questions to test the candidate’s competence in judging shots, adjudicating wiring and ruling on stationery ball positions. The situations are similar in some instances to those that umpires are expected to judge, but they may be more complicated or have unexpected aspects. The candidate is expected to answer the questions without consulting the laws.

   Part 2 comprises questions on the other laws that go beyond the range of an umpire’s duties. These questions are designed to test the candidate’s ability to give correct rulings in situations that a referee is likely to encounter in practice: they are not testing the candidate’s knowledge of abstruse points of the Laws. They also test the candidate’s understanding of the powers and duties of referees. The Laws book and the ACA Regulations may be used. A pass mark is 80%  of Part 1 and Part 2 combined 100/125.

Accreditation of Umpires and Referees

For accreditation to ACA, all umpires and referees must complete the Australian Sports Commission Certificate of Completion on “Introductory Level, Officiating, General Principles”

This is a useful and essential course and qualification which is available to anyone. It is completed on line and provided free. You will find it at www.ausport.gov.au and learning.ausport.gov.au

On successful completion of the course a copy of the certificate is to be forwarded to the State Director Referees (Association).