At Samurai we are keen to encourage the development of our junior referees for many reasons. It helps our juniors get a better grip of the rules.... no more Hansoku Make's by accident. Also it gives the opportunity for juniors to try an new aspect of Judo and to contribute a bit back to the club. That said its also good fun.

Once qualified we let our juniors referee at competitions suitable to their level, always under the supervision of qualified senior referees. We also allow juniors to operate the clocks and scoreboards on the table. This gives them the chance to take a greater part in the clubs competitions.... not just compete in them.

At Samurai we are extremely proud and supportive of our junior referee's and they do a fantastic job, they play a key part in the majority of our events. Some of our higher grade referee's also get the chance to step into the shoes of the Referee In Charge and the Tournament Director and have a go at these challenging roles under the supervision of their adult counterparts.

If you aren't Samurai and would like to learn to referee as a junior then feel free to come along to one of our junior referee courses which we run each year. Bring yourself, your Gi and a packed lunch and learn to referee in a day.

There are three levels of junior referee's .... 1, 2 & 3.

Junior 1 Referee's are entitled to

• Officiate at yellow belt and below closed school or club events in their own county can referee at grading up to 10th mon.
• Can also operate clocks and scoreboards under the supervision of a senior qualified official
• Must be age 10 and orange belt to attain this grade
Junior 2 Referee's are entitled to
• Officiate at Minimon events that are closed in their own area or county . Gradings up to 12th Mon and for training purposes at closed area events
• May also operate clocks and scoreboards under supervision
• Must be age 12 and green belt to attain this grade

Junior 3 Referee's are entitled to

• Can referee at all junior grading closed and area events level 3 may also referee at open min mons with the approval of area junior Co-ordinator
• Must be age 14 and blue belt to attain this grade

For futher details of the junior referee scheme click here

Junior Refereeing Works - read the report
Juniors Run The Cockburn Cup