Ice Hockey UK Referees Section are pleased to announce their first Level 1 courses for the new season will take place at the end of this month.

The courses will be at Ice Sheffield on Sunday October 24 and at Ozone in Bracknell on Sunday October 31.

IHUK Referee Section coaching programme manager Michael Evans said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm the first two Level 1 Officiating Courses for the 2021-22 season. For a variety of reasons the pandemic has left some sports with officiating shortages and unfortunately our sport hasn’t escaped and is facing similar challenges.

“These courses are designed as a comprehensive introduction to officiating and have an agenda that will cover topics such as:

– An introduction to the IHUK referee section.
– Qualities of an official.
– The role and responsibilities of officials.
– Positioning.
– Calls.

“The courses are put together under the direction of former IIHF official and IHUK Officiating Manager Andy Allsopp. Courses are ran on the day by members of our pool of instructors who have many years of experience as officials and performance coaches.

“Delegates on these courses will have the opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom and put it straight into practice on the ice.

“We would especially like to recruit more female officials and we would also like to hear from any players who would be interested in taking up the stripes.

“Officiating goes beyond hockey and we feel that we can develop skills that hopefully could improve people’s lives. On their officiating journey, we believe that we can teach and provide young officials with skills that would not normally be taught at a young age.

“They will learn leadership, management, effective communication, teamwork, conflict management, confidence building, along with influencing skills and other qualities that may well set them up for success outside of the sport which is something that we have seen happen quite often.”

The course fee is £120 which includes course materials on USB and a whistle.  The fee also covers initial 21/22 season registration and attendees get a 50% discount on 22/23 registration too.

Sunday October 24th
Venue: Ice Sheffield
Time: 10:00 – 18:00

Sunday October 31st
Venue: Ozone – Bracknell
Time: 12:00 – 20:00

For more information or to book a place, email andrew.allsopp@ihukreferee.co.uk

Further courses will be announced when details are confirmed.

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