General

Stéphane Venet at Thomas Uber Cup Finals 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: BadmintonPhoto)
Three European umpires accredited by BWF
Date: 6/27/2018 8:49 AM
Published by : Emma Lollike
Badminton Europe was delighted to experience that three umpires from Europe have been upgraded to BWF Accredited Umpires. A congratulation for Jesper Hedam Larsen (Denmark), Stéphane Venet (France), and João Fragoso (Portugal) is in order.

The three gentlemen could from June 12th enjoy the title as a BWF Accredited Umpire. An umpire can be proposed for an Assessment towards the BWF Accredited Umpire level after being active as a BEC Certificated Umpire for normally 24 months. 

This proposal is made to BWF by Badminton Europe, however, the final selection is fully in the competence of BWF. Proposals will be based on a satisfactory Record of Work and a positive recommendation following an Appraisal at a BEC Event.

- First, I was relieved. High level umpiring requires a lot of personal investments (family and professional), and also from my federation and Badminton Europe. Our success, with João and Jesper, shows that they were right to trust us, Stéphane Venet told Badminton Europe.


From BEC to BWF level
There is a clear progression between the various levels, from a national level umpire to the BEC Accredited and BEC Certificated levels and eventually to becoming a BWF Umpire.

The BWF appoints BWF Certificated Umpires for the Olympic Games, Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, Sudirman Cup and Super Series Finals. The three new umpires were assessed during the recent Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand.

- I am very proud to have received this upgrade because it took a long time to achieve and for many years there hasn’t been BWF umpire from France. I felt the pressure a little. I also feel a lot of responsibility, regarding to the younger generation of umpires who look at us and to the players for whom we have to be more than ever "at the top level", Venet shared.


New goals
Even though reaching this level has been a big goal for the umpires, they are now hungry for more and have already set new goals for the future. Venet and the French federation hope to have a French umpire present for the Olympics, ideally, in Paris in 2024.

-  I am one of the potential candidates, but I need at least to integrate the BWF Certificated umpires group, the highest level. For this, I have to gain even more experience on the biggest European and world events, to be invited by the BWF to pass this certification.

- It is a big deal and a dream come true. To reach that step has been the goal from day one. Now, there is only one step missing before I am at the top step as Certified BWF Umpire, which is what I now has as my objective, Jesper Hedam Larsen also told Badminton Denmark

Find the list of European BWF Umpires here
©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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