Officiating (Refereeing and Umpiring)
International Tennis Federation (ITF) Officiating began in 1990 and has provided training for many thousands of officials all over the world. It offers comprehensive training for those who want to become certified Referees, Chair Umpires and Chief Umpires.
ITF professional officials travel the world to conduct following 3 different levels of Schools from grass roots to Grand Slams:
- Level 1: Basic introduction to tennis officiating concentrating on the Rules of Tennis and the basic techniques and procedures of Chair and Line Umpiring. These schools are organized by National Associations.
- Level 2: Intermediate schools for officials who have demonstrated sufficient commitment and experience in officiating. Those who successfully pass the written examination and practical exercises become ITF White Badge Officials.
- Level 3: Advanced officiating school for White Badge Officials who are eligible to try and become an International Official. The schools focus on advanced techniques and procedures and prepare students for the pressures of international officiating. Those who pass the combination of written, oral and on-court examinations become Bronze Badges Chair Umpires, Silver Badge Referees and /or Silver Badge Chief Umpires.
Contact AITA (All India Tennis Associations) for enquiry for such schools. The link to the webpage containing the details on officiating is: http://www.aitatennis.com/New%20Aita/officiating.htm
Certified Officials are required to complete annual tests to ensure they are fully aware of the latest rules, regulations and procedures. All certified Officials are regularly evaluated by more experienced and qualified officials. These evaluations help officials to improve their on-court performance and provide important information in determining the certification of officials.
Joint Certification Programme
Since 1999 ITF has one unified Certification programme for International Officials, recognised by the ITF, ATP and WTA Tour.
An official's certification reflects his education, experience, ability and work record. The certifications are reviewed annually.
ITF White Badge Officials: Chair Umpires and Referees who pass the Level 2 School are certified as ITF White Badge Officials.
International Chair Umpires: There are three certifications for those officials who have passed a Level 3 School and are International Chair Umpires: Gold, Silver, Bronze.
International Referees: There are two certifications for those Referees who have passed the Level 3 School and are International Referees: Gold, Silver.
International Chief Umpires: There are two certifications for those Chief Umpires who have passed the Level 3 School and are International Chief Umpires: Gold, Silver.
Each certified official records the tournaments and matches they work each year and submits this information to the ITF. There are minimum annual requirements for maintaining each level of certification - the higher the qualification, the more work an official is expected to do each year.
