As we get closer and closer to the time for officials schools, we also seem to intensify the debate about training--and this year it is focused on roving training. Seems like numerous TD's feel that Texas officials are weak in the area of roving and are calling for yet more training. At the recent TD-Referee Texas Section Workshop in Dallas there was much discussion about the need for more roving training in the state.Since we hear from people all over the country, let me make a few suggestions about how to help in this situation.
Be sure to remember that these are just suggestions and we are more than open to hearing anyone's helpful suggestions concerning the area of rover training.
Be sure to remember that these are just suggestions and we are more than open to hearing anyone's helpful suggestions concerning the area of rover training. * Have each instructor pay special attention to roving (and subsequent questions) in the instructors' school. Most officials know the rules and have already taken the tests, why not spend a bit more time going over roving and chair procedures and leave time for questions and answers.
* Utilize the resources of the larger associations. All of the larger associations have well-developed and well-thought out training programs. They would be glad to share--just ask.
* Establish at Texas Section grant designed specifically for on-court training of officials. Even though many of our larger associations have well-developed training programs, the vast majority of Texas goes without any specific program for training. This grant money could also be used in the larger areas to pay the instructors who do the training. Currently, we ask them to do hours and hours of training without any pay and this is not right.
* How to pay for the grant?
1. Use the money in the officials budget item for the Texas Section. We always have an excess of money in that account and this would be a great way to spend it.
2. Cut the officials committee back to one annual meeting per year. Literally thousands of dollars are spent each year for people to come to the annual meeting, the semi-annual meeting, the ad-hoc committee meetings, and numerous other gatherings. Even though this travel money is not contained in the "Officials" budget line, it is still money being spend on tennis officiating.
3. Closely monitor and supervise monies being spent on the officials item in the Texas Section budget.
* There would be numerous well-qualified officials willing to teach new officials if there was at least some stipend for doing the teaching.
* Require new and older officials who have complaints filed against them to attend one of these training classes. The problems we encounter in Texas are not limited to new officials. New officials are already being required to attend additional training so just limit this training to those who have had complaints filed against them.
* Reaffirm the responsibilities of a referee to those who work in this capacity. Right now the only ITA chair training is offered at Highland Park HS in Dallas--the others get their training by being "taken under the wing" of an experienced official who trains them. A good referee always knows how to teach their new officials so they can quickly gain experience.
* Remember that the best training is always hands-on training. We can teach principles and technique all we want in a classroom but noone really makes it work until they are on the court working. The place for this is not "tacked on" to the instructors' school. Make a special time just for this training.
* Pay those who are in training. Remember that we are dealing with certified officials and they need to be paid during their training time. Again--establish a GRANT and then use that money to supplement their pay and that of their instructor.
These are just a few suggestions. We would welcome yours...
6 comments:
I know how to pay for training. Take away the lunch money tournament directors give to overly-compensated roving officials and use it for training purposes.
Oh wait, TDs already took away officials lunch money.
That money is already being used to buy them new cars.
Mr. McDonald you seem to forget that the expenses for the committee meetings are not paid from the officials budget.
Then take that money that is spent on travel (and btw, it is in the thousands of dollars) and put it in the Grand Fund for training.
Its real easy to do and would solve a lot of problems. Plus, the officials committee NEVER spends their entire budget so there is more money awaiting there.
These ideas have been talked about for a THOUSAND years and nothing ever happens... SAD - but, your right - we have money and no get up and GO!
With the current Sectional Chairman and his leadership you can be sure they never even thought of a grant to help pay for training. He's too busy having useless meetings all over the state and country.
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