The INTA Umpire Committee consisting of Mr Nigel Stobie VI, Mr Dave Elson IV and Mr Michael O Keeffe IV conducted the first Umpire Course of 2015 on January 17th & 18th. The Course was held in Brooklodge Taekwon-Do Schools full time centre.

The Course attracted 23 participants from 10 clubs from across the country. This followed the success of the previous course in Portarlington in 2014. Such high participation so early year outlining the dedication of experienced INTA referees and promotion of newly trained umpires in the INTA ranks.

The course focused on training experienced umpires and newly qualified umpires in accordance with ITF official rules used in both World and European ITF events. With the upcoming INTA Open Championships around the corner, the course was a major success in ensuring the highest standard of ITF officiation are maintained in INTA events.

The course since 2012 has been strongly based on a balance of theory and practical applications. The course was successful in guiding umpires through the 5 aspects of ITF competition.

• Patterns
• Sparring
• Special Technique
• Power
• Pre Arranged Sparring

Video analysis of recent ITF official competition was used to demonstrate the highest quality standards of Umpire within the ITF. Particular attention during the Video Analysis was given to the position of the centre referee in Sparring, with Health and Safety of competitors being a top priority throughout ITF and INTA competition.

Real Time matches were used to demonstrate the key duties of each umpire on the ring council and allow new umpires to practice what they had learned in the theoretical aspects of the course in a controlled environment.

The INTA Umpire Committee would like to thank all in attendance for another engaging course, wishing all umpires a very successful INTA Open International Championships 2015. We also like Mr Alan Troy VI & the Instructors of Brooklodge Taekwon Do School for their hospitality in hosting this umpires course.