I just spent all day at a local tourney, my last time at this event. My kids did well. 6 gold and 7 silver for 8 competitors. I was not coaching due to the fact that I was an official.....
The day started ok. 3 refs per ring for 6 rings. Poomsae went well even though most were doing incorrect versions of taegeuks/yondanja/palgwe poomsae. The masters/gms (korean) made sure the refs knew to judge the performance, not the technique. That's right, they had full access to the floor and abused their "right" to be there every chance they had. One even tried to have a ref, his student, change/ignore the score and give the win to the kid who took 3rd. Of course they were only sending groups of 3-4 so all could get a trophy.
The opening ceremony was long and unorganized. The demo was boring and a poor copy of the k-tigers. They made sure to announce and give awards to the masters/gms (korean) who did nothing but show up with students. I was disturbed, just a little, by the fact that this was my second time as referee chairman and I was not announced/given an award. I know that it seems petty but if they are going to give a plaque to the local korean tourism president and the pres/vice pres/chairman/director of the tourney then why not the referee chairman? I would like to think it was an oversight and not racism (whitey here) but last year the korean referee chairman got aletter of commendation from KKW. Was the same last time I was ref chair.
Sparring was a nightmare. 3 bouts in the director changed the rules. No more head shots for all ages color belts. Then they seemed to try and take over the rings. Only 4 of the refs had usat certification. The rest were locas who had a little exp and were easily swayed by a gms/masters suggestions. I was not consulted, just told that the rules were being modified.
There was also no security. The caution tape was ineffective and the announcer stoped trying to clear the walkways. Parents and coaches were cursing at the refs. Since the masters/gms were trying to take charge I asked them toget rid of the more abusive ones. I was told to be silent and stop causing problems. Turns out they were the ones doing most of the yelling at the refs.
I had 5 refs walk out and had to finish the last bouts in 3 rings. The ring master system was screwing up all day.
Did I mention that I had to center this whole time?
At the end I gathered the remaining refs, who were all upset, and we discussed the event. None of them will be attending again. They lost almost all respect for the masters/gms that were there and were disgusted at how they were treated. One was threatened by a gm and one was asked if he wanted to go out to the parking lot by a coach.
I was then told what a great job I did and asked to dinner....I did not go.
Never again will I attend this event, EVER!
The day started ok. 3 refs per ring for 6 rings. Poomsae went well even though most were doing incorrect versions of taegeuks/yondanja/palgwe poomsae. The masters/gms (korean) made sure the refs knew to judge the performance, not the technique. That's right, they had full access to the floor and abused their "right" to be there every chance they had. One even tried to have a ref, his student, change/ignore the score and give the win to the kid who took 3rd. Of course they were only sending groups of 3-4 so all could get a trophy.
The opening ceremony was long and unorganized. The demo was boring and a poor copy of the k-tigers. They made sure to announce and give awards to the masters/gms (korean) who did nothing but show up with students. I was disturbed, just a little, by the fact that this was my second time as referee chairman and I was not announced/given an award. I know that it seems petty but if they are going to give a plaque to the local korean tourism president and the pres/vice pres/chairman/director of the tourney then why not the referee chairman? I would like to think it was an oversight and not racism (whitey here) but last year the korean referee chairman got aletter of commendation from KKW. Was the same last time I was ref chair.
Sparring was a nightmare. 3 bouts in the director changed the rules. No more head shots for all ages color belts. Then they seemed to try and take over the rings. Only 4 of the refs had usat certification. The rest were locas who had a little exp and were easily swayed by a gms/masters suggestions. I was not consulted, just told that the rules were being modified.
There was also no security. The caution tape was ineffective and the announcer stoped trying to clear the walkways. Parents and coaches were cursing at the refs. Since the masters/gms were trying to take charge I asked them toget rid of the more abusive ones. I was told to be silent and stop causing problems. Turns out they were the ones doing most of the yelling at the refs.
I had 5 refs walk out and had to finish the last bouts in 3 rings. The ring master system was screwing up all day.
Did I mention that I had to center this whole time?
At the end I gathered the remaining refs, who were all upset, and we discussed the event. None of them will be attending again. They lost almost all respect for the masters/gms that were there and were disgusted at how they were treated. One was threatened by a gm and one was asked if he wanted to go out to the parking lot by a coach.
I was then told what a great job I did and asked to dinner....I did not go.
Never again will I attend this event, EVER!