English
WORK AND PASSION – BECOME A TENNIS UMPIRE!
2024-04-16
Are you passionate about tennis and want to associate your job or hobby with it, but don’t have the talent or self-drive to play? Do you dream of umpiring at one of the Grand Slam tournaments? It’s possible! It turns out that anyone can become a tennis umpire – you don’t need any previous playing experience! Does it sound like something for you? Find out how to get started umpiring tennis matches.
TENNIS UMPIRE – FROM A REGIONAL UMPIRE TO WIMBLEDON
Admittedly, Wimbledon is certainly not for every tennis umpire, but with the right amount of hard work and self-drive, and a bit of luck, you can get there. However, it’s important to bear in mind that the road to the top level of the competition can be a long one.
To start your first umpiring course, you only need to be at least 16 years old. This is the basic training for a PZT Regional Umpire. You don’t need to have any experience in tennis. However, it will certainly be useful for you to have a good prior knowledge of the rules of the sport.
The basic training for the PZT Regional Umpire prepares you to work as a line and chair umpire. Those who successfully complete it can work as chair umpires at national tournaments and youth international tournaments, as well as line umpires at tournaments around the world. The training mainly includes an introduction to the rules of tennis and the procedures and duties of umpires. In addition, on-court practice is carried out, during which the students learn the basic techniques of the chair and line umpires. In order to pass the course, one must demonstrate knowledge related to the rules of tennis and the ability to make decisions.
The basic courses to become a PZT Regional Umpire are held on a weekend basis and are organised several times a year in different cities in Poland, usually in autumn and spring. The basic course usually lasts only 3 days and costs PLN 400 (2024 price).
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER COMPLETING THE PZT REGIONAL UMPIRE COURSE?
After completing the course, paying for a PZT umpire licence and demonstrating commitment, one is given assignments to work at tournaments (mainly youth tournaments) in order to gather relevant experience. Usually, novice umpires are first designated as line umpires and only later work as chair umpires.
The next training course (for Regional Referee of PZT) can be taken after gaining experience of working at least three PZT tournaments as a chair or line umpire. The course prepares for work as chair umpire at provincial and national tournaments, lasts two days and costs PLN 300.
After umpiring at least 40 matches as a chair umpire and two years’ experience, umpires have the opportunity to attend the PZT Association Umpire course. This is an advanced course which is conducted in the form of a workshop. Thus, a high level of activity from the participants is required. In addition to the theoretical part, which lasts 2 days and allows to broaden the knowledge of the procedures and interpretation of the rules, a practical part is carried out. Each umpire is required to officiate 1-2 stool matches at an official tournament from the PZT calendar under the watchful eye of the instructors.
The course prepares for work as a chair umpire at Polish Championships and international tournaments. The Association Umpire course is usually organised once a year in one of the large tennis centres in Poland and costs PLN 400. Subsequently, it is also possible to enrol on the Association Referee Training. It is available to those who are 21 years of age or older and have a minimum of 2 years of umpiring experience.
TENNIS UMPIRE – INTERNATIONAL LICENCE
If you are interested in umpiring at major tournaments, you will also need an international licence. The awarding of international umpiring privileges is handled exclusively by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The first level of international training is the ITF Level 2 School. It is available in three options:
• for Chair Umpires
• for Referees
• for Chief Umpires.
It can be undertaken with at least 2 years’ seniority as a Chair Umpire (for Chair Umpires) or Referee (for Referees). The course is taught in English. Getting onto it also requires a recommendation from the Presidium of KS PZT. After its completion, you can start umpiring at international events. Participants who successfully complete the course receive the so-called ITF White Badge certification.
Afterwards, it is possible to take the ITF Level 3 School training course. This allows you to earn the so-called ITF Bronze Badge for chair umpires or the ITF Silver Badge for referees and chair umpires. In order to be admitted to the ITF Level 3 School course, it is again necessary to demonstrate sufficient experience and to receive a recommendation from the Presidium of KS PZT. However, further qualifications are instead awarded by the ITF for experience and merit.
If you dream of sitting in a tennis umpire’s chair at the biggest tournaments, there is no other way. You also need to remember to pay for your umpiring licence and keep gaining experience. So only passion and hard work can take you to the top!
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