Refereeing is coming together

 For a while now I've been trying to get my Judo referee standard up to warrant being awarded National A referee status.

 

At the bigger events I referee at I am graded by senior refs on a number of criteria, I have to score a rolling average of over 70 points across the last 3 events.

 

I was at the Welsh Junior & Senior the weekend just gone where I got a score of 72, my best score yet and my first in the 70s. My previous couple of scores of 68 & 69 give me a rolling average of 69.666.

 

Had I got just 1 more point that would have done it, so while I'm well-chuffed with my score from this event there is a hint of frustration I didn't get that 1 extra point.

 

Particularly as it would have meant gaining my A badge at the same venue as both my first attempt at reffing many years back, winning my 1st dan and getting my first coach award.

 

So a little bitter sweet. It is a win though, and a score I'm pleased with.

 

I think a big factor in recent higher scores are my recent trips to Bremen and Venray earlier this year. Where I was able to relax and focus on refereeing without thinking about what people around me (UK senior refs/coaches) might think.

 

That seems to have helped something 'click' into place with my refereeing and at the couple of UK events I've done since those I've felt so much more relaxed and confident, I think that is reflected in my reffing.