The state of Umpiring in IL Shim Australia

The state of Umpiring in IL Shim Australia

A report by Gerard Kelly IV Dan Umpiring Director IL Shim 

            As the day had finished in the Hunter Valley I pondered, as usual what we could do to improve and perfect our tournaments. What is it that makes a great tournament? Is it the participants? Without them there is no tournament. Is it the organisers? Again no tournament without them either! Maybe I am biased but I feel that the umpires and corner judges are one of the most pivotal areas in any tournament and yet we ALWAYS seem to be running around begging Black Belts to corner judge, and having centre refs be in the ring for the entire tournament with NO break! This simply has to stop as of right now!

            We as senior members of IL Shim no longer ask or request you as black belts or black stripes to do these jobs! We are now going to force you to do them! I have personally been running Umpire seminars around the country and will continue to do so! “I don’t know what to do!” is no longer an excuse! You will all at some stage be thrown in the centre ring for umpiring duties; generally I will start you on the kids and work you up to higher levels as your confidence increases!!

            “Oh but I am competing!!” again is not good enough! I have personally competed AND refereed at nearly every tournament I have been to so again not an excuse! Guys we need everyone to step up in this area so you can expect me to be very harsh on any Black Belt who does not turn up to an IL Shim run tournament with both their dobok ( if they are competing ) and their Umpire uniform

Consider this your first and only warning! I am on your case! We need every Black Belt to get cracking and show the country what a fantastic organisation we are!!!

If you require my presentation regarding umpiring it is up on the website, Click HERE , with monthly hints and tips regarding these very important jobs to follow!!!!

Taekwon

Gerard Kelly IV Dan

Il Shim Umpiring Director