USFA Referee Training

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Below is a letter that I have written to the USFA to request change.  I ask that you sign in support if you agree.

Thanks for your time,

Arkady Burdan

 

20 May 2015


Donald A. Anthony, Jr., Chairman and President of USA Fencing
Member of the Board of Directors of USA Fencing
4065 Sinton Road, Suite 140
Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Dear Mr. Anthony and Members of the Board of USA Fencing:

I am writing to request a change in the way we train referees at major competitions. I propose that we institute a system as soon as possible in which we pair a referee in training with an experienced referee who not only oversees a fencing bout but also has the authority to change the trainee’s calls. I saw this in action at the Milwaukee NAC when a referee in training was paired with Zsolt Kaposvari. After the trainee made a call during the bout, Mr. Kaposvari would either let the call stand or explain to both the trainee and fencer why the call was incorrect. In this way, Mr. Kaposvari was protecting the fencer (and the young referee) while the young referee gained the experience needed to learn the craft.

As a three-time Olympic Coach for the United States, my students have brought home numerous world titles, including an Olympic silver and two bronze medals. Yet, year after year I travel to domestic competitions with my athletes and witness erroneous calls by referees in training. When that happens the referee becomes the center of controversy hurting both the trainee and the fencer. Everyone is unhappy as the assigned mentor either removes the referee, embarrassing them and crushing their self-confidence, or allows them to continue with the fencer, coach, and parents angry and watching for the next hint of a mistake. Worst of all, a fencer and family who have worked, dedicating time and money to compete, pay the price for this up-side-down training.

I believe the system proposed was received very well among other coaches and fencers at the Milwaukee NAC and many of our own senior referees would welcome this change in the training process.

The athletes are paying customers of both the USFA and the coaches that bring them to compete. I believe we owe it to them to make this change in the referee training system.

Sincerely,


Arkady Burdan
Head Coach, Nellya Fencers