While we have a USTA stipulation that a young official cannot officiate a match of juniors older than himself, do we need a MINIMUM AGE for those wishing to do collegiate officiating?
In this year's officials schools we have already seen a large influx of teenage officials. They have passed all the required tests and have gotten a waiver on the background check, so now is it time to unleash them on the tennis playing world?
Case in point: We have a 16 year old young man who is heavily involved in junior tournament officiating and wants to move up to collegiate officiating. He has already been involved in chair training and was the strongest chair official in his group. Should there be a minimum age to do collegiate matches and do we tell him to wait until he's 18 or 21?
We have asked other collegiate officials and some feel that 18 should be the minimum age for collegiate matches and some feel they should be at least 21. My tendency is to think that if we take an 18 year old then they need to be extremely mature and heavily experienced at the junior level and have been involved in intensive chair training.
What do you think???
6 comments:
There should be an upper age limit of 50 for the officials so they can join the ranks of the geriatric line officials at the US Open.
Tough question...
As you know, just because someone is older DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE BETTER! And, age does NOT always guarantee respect in relationship to the job the Chair is doing.
We have to remember that if these Chairs are the same age as the Players - THEY WILL get questioned a lot more!
THEREFORE - if your Referee, you better be darn sure your young Official is ready for the chair... IN OTHER WORDS THEY KNOW THEIR RULES AND KNOW HOW AND WHEN TO ENFORCE THEM!!!
OBACO (OLD Big Ass Chair Official)
After watching two or three young men grow into good collegiate chairs I would say that the best age for them to begin chairing collegiate matches is around 25. Seems that they have more respect from the players and coaches if they are a tad older than the players. Personally I have never seen a young female official excel at collegiate officiating.
if the young man is good enough at least give him a trial shot, hell I know plenty over 21 y.o. officials who can not do even a minimal Junior Tournament much less a college match
Ha ha Randy. I don't think you believe any female of any age can do even a fair job of officiating a college match. Ladies, Please just ignore him.
I think older female officials can do a good job of officiating a college match. Just never met a young one that was any good...
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