VA Div Spring Referee Clinic 2023 w/Mary Mahon

REFEREE CERTIFICATION SEMINAR COMING TO RICHMOND FENCING CLUB Given by Certified Referee Instructor (CRI) MARY MAHON Mary Mahon is a long time national and international referee who holds FIE (Federacion International de Escrime) licenses in both FOIL and EPEE. She has refereed dozens of World Cups, World Championships, and Grand Prix events in places like Hungary, Italy, France and Australia doing finals at almost every one. Mary has served on the Fencing Officials Commission (FOC), the committee that hires referees for North American Cups (NAC’s), and the Referee Development Committee of the Referee’s Commission. In this 2-day seminar you will learn rules applications, right of way, and how to manage weapon specific situations. Bring a pen and notepad – you will need them! We will be observing all recommended Covid-19 preventative measures including temperature checks at the door, mandatory facemasks and social distancing. This seminar is the only one that uses running PowerPoint, video, live demonstrations, and interactive activities as teaching tools. Dates / Times: (Saturday –lecture, Sunday-observations) Start time Saturday – 8:00AM Start time Sunday - 8:30AM Location: Richmond Fencing Club 3411 1/2 Carlton Street Richmond, VA 23230 Fee: $75.00 Pay In Advance Registration: Ask Fred Three things are required to achieve a referees rating in the United States: • A completed seminar held by a CRI • A passing score on the general and weapon(s) sections of the online exams • An observation by an examiner or CRI at a tournament. In just one weekend, all three of these can be achieved!! WHO SHOULD ATTEND Aspiring referees …. Who need to fulfill the requirement for a seminar Coaches …. Who want to reference their teaching with what is being called at a national and international level Athletes …. Who want to improve their game and gain an understanding of what makes a winning action Parents ….Who want a better understanding of tournament format and the foundation of the sport their children are involved in Current referees …. Who want to update their understanding of rules, right of way, and need to update their seminar attendance in the referee database We need athletes to bring their electric gear in all three weapons for Saturday right of way demos Please feel free to contact Mary Mahon with any questions you may have. Cel (202) 497-7035 Email: cbdregsadvice@gmail.com The Virginia Division is offering Virginia Division members a complete reimbursement of your costs of the clinic as well as the $35 upgrade to Professional level membership to meet USA Fencing Referee requirements The Requirements: 1. Pass Written Test 2. Attend Virginia Division Referee Clinic 3. Be observed by the presenter at the tournament following the clinic 4. Pass Safesport Exam to obtain your Professional Membership 5. Referee at 2 Virginia Division Sanctioned tournaments Upon completing steps 1 through 3, please email the our Treasurer (Ted Smith) at rvabrillo@gmail.com with a screenshot of your Written Test result for an initial reimbursement of $55. Upon completing steps 4 and 5, send another email to our Treasurer with the names and dates of the tournaments in order to receive the balance reimbursement of $55. These requirements are set to improve and increase the referee pool that supports the Virginia Division of USA Fencing, LLC. It is our goal to facilitate 100% of all future reimbursements/payments to participants and referees utilized by the VA Division via PayPal or Venmo. NOTE: There will be an evaluation tournament the following day. It is a unique opportunity to have both a clinic and an opportunity to be observed in the same weekend, so it's important that you are available for this event if possible. About the Referee Development Clinic The Referee Development Clinic will provide you with a broad understanding of the role, responsibilities, and duties of a referee, as well as refine your sense of right of way, timing, and application of the penalties. Attending an official FOC-sanctioned clinic is a prerequisite for becoming a certified USA Fencing referee, along with successful completion of a written exam. Once a passing score (90%) has been achieved on the written exam (both the general section and one or more weapon-specific sections) a referee receives a rating of "P" in each weapon passed. Further ratings improvements (1-10) can be obtained at a later date by being evaluated in a practical setting at tournaments. Written Exams The written test is now offered online and typically taken shortly following the clinic, though it may be taken in advance: http://fencingofficials.org/test/ If you plan to sit the exam, please make sure that you have adequately prepared by going through the Study Guide: http://www.fencingofficials.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/StudyGuidePDFMay_2014_Edition.pdf Preregistration opens on 03/09/2022. Preregistration closes on 05/19/2022.