© Irish Academy of Arms 2012
Irish Academy of Arms
Acadamh Armas na hÉireann
Irish Fencing Referees Association
No sport can exist without officials. In fencing, they are especially important, as the referee is involved in every call and must adjudicate on every action. We all rely on fair and unbiased refereeing. Following the Irish Fencing Federation Strategy Meeting in Autumn 2009, a committee, chaired by Nat O'Connor and made up of John Boucher-Hayes, Paul Boucher-Hayes, David Couper, Fionbarr Farrell and Tony Quinn, developed the parameters and format of the Irish Fencing Referees Association which has now been formally set up to establish a cadre of fencers and others who wish to referee, in club or in competition, and who want to increase their refereeing expertise and enhance their understanding of the Rules of Fencing and of the practical issues that arise for referees and fencers during competition. There are three levels on qualification for referees in Ireland: Club, Competition and National. (The subsequent progression for a referee is to the F.I.E. ‘B’ level.) There will be both theoretical (on-line) and practical elements in the assessment of referees.
A Club level referee -
- has the ability to read the phrase ("right of way") in the majority of cases (foil and sabre). S/he is consistent in his/her decisions and will not be persuaded by fencers' or spectators' input. S/he has a good working knowledge of the rules.
- knows how to test for and identify common weapon faults, such as hits registering off-target on the lame, hits registering on an earthed piste or off-target lights coming on without any hit being scored.
- is confident enough to referee pool bouts at Irish competitions.
A Competition level referee -
- has a solid knowledge of the rules and s/he will not be hesitant or mistaken when it comes to applying them to a bout. S/he knows what penalties to apply to different categories of fault. S/he is able to maintain discipline on the piste and apply the rules fairly and consistently, awarding penalties (cards) where appropriate.
- knows how to test for and identify faults in fencers' equipment or in the scoring apparatus.
- is confident enough to referee pool bouts and direct elimination bouts (except for semi-finals and finals) at Irish competitions. S/he uses all of the appropriate hand signals.
A National level referee -
- has no difficulty in adjudicating right of way in foil and sabre. S/he is clear and consistent in his/her judgments and definite when calling simultaneous attacks. S/he knows the rules thoroughly and is familiar with FIE guidelines as to their interpretation. S/he keeps up-to-date with any changes in the rules or in FIE guidelines about the rules.
- always applies the rules fairly but strictly. S/he is able to maintain discipline on the piste, and among spectators, at all times. S/he awards penalties (cards) where appropriate and is always consistent in doing so.
- has a thorough knowledge of the working and possible faults in fencer’s equipment and the electrical scoring equipment.
- is confident enough to referee any bout, in any Irish competition.
Candidates for Club level will be required to complete the on-line assessment to test their knowledge of the rules and attend a 2 hour seminar plus practical assessment using candidates fencing each other.
Candidates for Competition level will also complete the on-line assessment and will also be assessed while refereeing at an Irish competition.
A small charge is payable to cover hire of hall, administration, etc.
Further details from refereeing@irishacademyofarms.org
More about the Club Level Referee here
More about the Competition Level Referee here
More about the National Level Referee here