Fifteen English referees have been selected to take part in this year’s ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London.
The current Level 1 referees will also have an incredible CPD opportunity at the World Cup, coordinated by Tom Purcell, the 2012 Olympic Men’s Singles Final Referee.
Who has been selected?
They include Nico Caltabiano, the men’s singles final referee of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, who is among the elite group of Gold Badge referees worldwide.
Others have extensive experience of international events, ranging from previous World Championships and European Championships to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Those selected include Joshua Reynolds and Harry Jutle, who both hold Blue Badge status, as well as Kim Mudge, Jo Outhwaite, Vladimir Shadrunov and Sheila Walshe, who are currently working towards that status, which is one level below the Gold Badge. The others have the International Umpire qualification.
In addition to the England cohort, a number of Home Nations officials have also been selected, including Gold Badge referee Ben Foote from Guernsey and Blue Badge holder Jaqueline Williams from Wales.
Some of the group will work exclusively at the Copper Box Arena during Phase 1B, where 56 countries will compete to reach Phase 2.
Others will work at OVO Arena Wembley, where Stage 1A (the qualifying matches) and Stage 2 (the Last 32 and beyond) will take place, or at both venues.
The selected ones are (England unless otherwise stated):
OVO Arena Wembley: Nico Caltabiano, Betle Fote (Guernsey), Hartle, Kim Mudge, Joshua, Joshua Reynolds, Vladimir Shadrunov, Sadrunov Development, Wald director William, Jaqueline Williams, Village Williams (Wales).
Copper Box Arena: Adam Brown (Northern Ireland), Adrian Brown (Northern Ireland), Charles Brown (Scotland), Nico Caltabiano, David Edwards, Peter Higgins (Wales), Chloe Ireland, Harry Jutle, Tom Konarski, Krasimira Krasteva (Wales), Lin Li (Scotland), John Mackey BEM, Jay McAllister (Northern Ireland), Kim Mudge, Catherine O’Neil (Scotland), Jo Outhwaite, Matt Pryke, Meijen Emma Qu (Scotland), Joshua Reynolds, Jenny Sanders, Vladimir Shadrunov, Lester Smith, James Sterling (Northern Ireland), Alan Thomas, Sheila Walshe, Jaqueline Williams (Wales).
Joshua Reynolds, who refereed the women’s final at the ITTF Team World Cup at the Copper Box in 2018, said he was delighted to have been selected for the World Cup centenary as the championships return to London, where the first edition took place in 1926.
He said: “It is an honor to be selected as a referee at a World Cup, especially for the prestigious centenary event.
“I have been involved in refereeing major tournaments for ten years and have refereed two European team finals, a Team World Cup final and two Commonwealth Games finals – but this is definitely the highlight of my career to date.
“I’m looking forward to meeting old friends from all over the world and officiating some good matches.”
A number of referees from around the world will also be attending the event and will be announced in due course.
What are the options of CPD?
Two events – one at each location – give Level 1 referees a unique opportunity to learn new skills while experiencing a major event on home soil.
The odds are Free entry for Table Tennis England Level 1 referees only – see below how to register.
Copper Box Arena, Tuesday, April 28 (12-6 p.m.)
Part one: 12pm-3pm, London Velodrome, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Part Two: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM, Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
What you will learn and experience:
- Emergency rule: what it is, how it works and when it applies
- Use of timeout clocks
- Understanding the touchpad for on-field scoring (ITTF OVR)
- See the training hall and visit the back-of-house facilities for the World Championships
- Ticket to watch the evening session at the Copper Box Arena
How the course is taught:
From 12pm to 3pm, participants will take part in CPD training, delivered by Blue Badge Umpire, Tom Purcell. This part of the day also offers the opportunity to view the training hall of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals.
From 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM, participants will get a unique view of the World Championships with a tour of the back-of-house facilities of the Copper Box Arena, co-host of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals.
At the conclusion of the tour at 6:00 PM, delegates will have the opportunity to remain in the Copper Box Arena to watch the remainder of the day’s play.
Please note that there is no parking at either location.
OVO Arena Wembley, Tuesday May 5 (12-6 p.m.)
Part one: 12pm-3pm, CPD and training hall visit
Part Two: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM, tour of the facilities at the back of the house
What you will learn and experience:
- Insight into the role of referees and referee assistants
- Specific rules for para table tennis
- Explore dress codes
- View the training hall and view the facilities at the back of the house for the World Championships
- Ticket to watch the evening session at OVO Wembley Arena
How the course is taught:
From 12pm to 3pm, participants will take part in CPD training, delivered by Blue Badge Umpire, Tom Purcell. This part of the day also offers the opportunity to view the training hall of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals.
From 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM, participants will get a unique view of the World Championships with a tour of the facilities at the back of the OVO Wembley Arena, co-host of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals.
At the end of the tour at 6pm, delegates will have the opportunity to stay at the OVO Wembley Arena to watch the remainder of the day’s play.
Please note there is no on-site parking.
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