Thedy Adjemian implemented the figure of Referee Support in SCA tournaments. Germán Araujo was in this role at the recent Camp for referees and technical delegates in Asunción.
“Referee Support is a personal idea that I had in my head for some time and that we started to implement a couple of years ago, but that we are consolidating in the Referee Camps and youth tournaments”, says Thedy Adjemian, Head Referee of COSCABAL.
says Thedy Adjemian, Chief Referee of COSCABAL.

- When and at what time was the Referee Support figure created?
“Months before the first Camp. Believing that it could be of great help to young referees in their first continental experience.”
- What motivated its creation?
“The little information young referees have about physical, technical and psychological preparation during a competition.”
“We always maintained with my working group that young referees need peer referents, symmetrical, not only on the court but also off the court.”
It should be noted that the work team (PRC Commission) accompanying Thedy Adjemian is composed of Luciano Zabala from Argentina, Esilo de Melo from Brazil and Rolando Ferres from Uruguay. Also collaborating with the Commission are Marcelo Moraga from Chile and Pablo Martinez from Uruguay.

Task in progress
- What does the task of a Referee Support consist of?
“The support goes from how to prepare for a match: before, during and after. Routines, movements, positioning, concentration”.
“Learning to withstand pressure, both from the game, observers, officials, public, a place of containment. How to coexist and accept the successes and mistakes to enhance and improve the level of each referee”.
“How not to fall into the confusion of roles, to understand that the referee is a referee and that he must dedicate himself fully to his preparation and training”.
- Currently, which IHF referees are available for this role?
“We have IHF referees trained to transmit experience and knowledge, who have the profile that we are looking for from the PRC as references and link between the Commission and the young referees”.
“Mathias Sosa and German Araujo, both from Uruguay. And I am looking at the possibility of incorporating Bruna and Renata Correa from Brazil”.
Permanent motivation
Germán Araujo, Uruguayan referee, besides officiating in his country, also referees in the SCA and IHF World Championships.
On this occasion, he was present at the Camp for referees and delegates held in Asunción, within the framework of the Under 13, 14, 15 and 16 competitions of the men’s and women’s national teams.
“Personally, it is a privilege and a great responsibility to be called upon to carry out the role of Referee Support”.
“It was two weeks of intense work in Asunción with a group of young referees with a lot of talent and a desire to grow in their refereeing training”.

Araujo highlights as brilliant the idea of Thedy Adjemian, which is embodied in the creation of the figure of
Referee Support
.
“It’s something that doesn’t happen in the rest of the world and it helps young referees when they take their first steps internationally.”
Strengthening goals
The growth and strengthening of referees is very important; work such as that being carried out by the PRC is fundamental for the development of new referees.
In closing, Thedy added:
“After each competition the feedback we get from the referees is very positive, of growth.”
“This obliges us to further consolidate this project and continue to provide innovative tools of international level for young referees that we will be incorporating to the staff of COSCABAL”.
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Referee Support in SCA tournaments
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Closing of the Refereeing and Delegates Camp
Photos: COSCABAL / Jorge Olmedo
IHF / Jozo Cabraja / Kolektiff
By Loly Coria