Referees

Become a Referee

Who is the Referee?
The referee is the volunteer who can be found in the centre of all the action at tournaments and gradings ensuring the contests are conducted in a fair and safe way.
What Does the Referee Do?
Referees ensure that contests are conducted safely and correctly, following approved contest rules, and ultimately making the call on who wins or loses by giving scores/penalities to Judoka.
How Do I Become A Referee?
If you are at least a green belt and over the age of 12 you can start your refereeing journey. As you build your skills and experience you will have the opportunity to advance through a structure of eight levels.

Provisional

  • Individual member of JudoScotland.
  • Minimum age of 17 years.
  • Minimum BJA grade of 3rd Kyu.

Qualified to officiate at Area/Regional Mon gradings, Kyu gradings and events up to 2* level under the supervision of at least two National ‘C’ referees or above on the mat.

Not qualified to conduct courses or examinations (Junior or Senior).

There is no entrance examination to this level but acceptance on the programme must be authorised by the Area Refereeing Representative who will then issue a record card.

The Provisional Referee programme is intended as an opportunity for potential referees to sample the experience before deciding whether to qualify as an Area Referee.

The position of Provisional Referee is limited for a period of six months from date of acceptance on the programme by the Area Refereeing Representative.

Area

  • Individual member of JudoScotland
  • Minimum age of 17 years.
  • (Minimum age 16 years if a candidate has held a current Grade 3 Junior
  • Referees award for a minimum of 6 months and must be a BJA grade of 3rd kyu.)
  • If in the opinion of the examiner the candidate for Area Referee promotion is of a higher standard he/she may be promoted to a National Referee Class ‘C’ but only at the first examination attempt.

  • Qualified to officiate at Area/Regional gradings and events up to 2* level.
  • Not qualified to conduct courses or examinations (Junior or Senior).

Within the 2 year period:

  • Must have officiated at a minimum of 8 events (Gradings count as events)
  • Cards should be completed by the Referee in Charge at each competition attended in order to record their activity and be made available for checking by the Area Refereeing Representative if required.
  • Referees will receive their revalidation card via the BJA Head Office if they have fulfilled the revalidation criteria.

If revalidation requirements are not met within the 2 year period, the referee will be re-assessed by an Area Examiner nominated by the NRC.

National C

  • Individual member of JudoScotland
  • British Judo Association minimum grade of 3rd kyu.
  • Minimum age 17 years
  • Must have refereed at a minimum of four, 2* events prior to application, have held the Area refereeing award for a minimum 6 months, unless awarded National Class ‘C’ at his or her first examination attempt.

  • Qualified to officiate at Area/Regional events up to 3* level and selected National
  • events at the discretion of the National Refereeing Commission.
  • Not qualified to conduct courses or examinations. (Junior or Senior)

Within the 2 year period:

  • Must officiate at a minimum of 10 events of which 3 must be at Senior level (Gradings count as events).
  • Referees will receive their revalidation card via the BJA Head Office if they have fulfilled the revalidation criteria.

(It is recommended that referees continue to record attendance at events on their cards for possible verification if necessary).

If revalidation requirements are not met within the 2 year period, the referee will be re-assessed by a BJA ‘C’ Examiner nominated by the NRC.

National B

  • Individual member of JudoScotland
  • British Judo Association minimum grade of 2nd kyu
  • Minimum age of 18 years
  • Must have held the National ‘C’ Referee award for 12 months and refereed at a minimum of two 2* & two 3* events prior to application for this award.

  • Qualified to officiate at events up to 4* level (only able to be a judge at finals of 4* events)
  • Not qualified to conduct courses or examine for Senior Referees awards but eligible to become an examiner and run courses for the Junior scheme after 12 months experience as a National Referee Class ‘B’

Within the 2 year period:

  • Must officiate at a minimum of 10 events of which 4 must be 3* (or above). (Gradings count as events).
  • Must attend at least one Referees Education Seminar.
  • Referees will receive their revalidation card via the BJA Head Office if they have fulfilled the revalidation criteria.

(It is recommended that referees continue to record attendance at events on their cards for possible verification if necessary).

If revalidation requirements are not met within the 2 year period, the referee will be re-assessed by an Examiner nominated by the NRC.

National A

  • Individual member of JudoScotland
  • British Judo Association minimum grade of 1st kyu
  • Age limit for examination: Minimum age of 20 years
  • Must have held a National ‘B’ Referee award for a minimum of 12 months and have officiated at a minimum of two 3* & one 4* events prior to application for this award

  • Qualified to officiate at events up to 4* level including finals as a referee or judge which will be at the discretion of the Referee In Charge (RIC) on the day.
  • Qualified to conduct courses and examine up to National ‘B’ level, with NRC approval

Within the 2 year period:

  • Must officiate at a minimum of 12 events of which 1 must be 4* (or above). 4 events must be 3* or above. (Gradings count as events).
  • Must attend at least one Referees Education Seminar.
  • Referees will receive their revalidation card via the BJA Head Office if they have fulfilled the revalidation criteria.

(It is recommended that referees continue to record attendance at events on their cards for possible verification if necessary).

If revalidation requirements are not met within the 2 year period, the referee will be re-assessed by an Examiner nominated by the NRC.

Any BJA ‘B’ referees, and above, failing to meet revalidation requirements or maintain the standard required for the awards, will be required to attend two events (as stipulated by the NRC) for re-assessment and to pass the theory examination at the respective pass mark.

NB: Senior National referees must maintain the same revalidation requirements as those set out for National referees.

International

This is the highest level of refereeing and all referees must progress through all the levels to reach this.

For additional information on refereeing, please refer to the British Judo Association Page and if you have any questions or would like to get involved please contact Paul McGuinness.

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