The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) successfully held its first-ever refereeing course at the University of Science and Technology of the Philippines Gymnasium in Cagayan De Oro City.
PNVF vice president Dr. Arnel B. Hajan, who is also president of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region Volleyball Association (ZPRVA), urged participants to meaningfully embrace and contribute to the course, which ended last Sunday (March 13).
“My role here today is to inspire, to represent the president and to officially open this course on behalf of our PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, but I also want to encourage all of you to take advantage of the knowledge to be gained here,” said Hajan.
“Please maximise the knowledge in this course that make a big difference in your officiating and cascade it on to your clubs so that they can better understand the Rules of the Game. We want you to use this to better equip yourself for our federation, your respective area of jurisdiction, and for yourself.”
The six-day course began with a welcome remarks from the University Sports Director Manuel Paster Jr., who appreciated the participants enthusiasm and passion followed by a message from NORMINVACAR president Alex Adeva.
Hajan then officially opened the first PNVF Refereeing Course with 172 participants coming from Visayas and Mindanao attending the six-day course conducted by International Referees Yul Benosa, Nestor Bello and Adrian Tabañag.
The course aims are to unify interpretation of rules, correct adoption of system, emphasize on exact and proper mechanics, continue to promote volleyball as a sport in the community, and develop the young new breed of dynamic volleyball referees. Participants who will pass the refereeing standards will be given accreditation as National Referee Candidates (NRC) on their proficiency (results on written, oral and practical examinations) at the end of the course.
The names of those who will pass will be submitted to the PNVF Referee and Rules of the Game Commission (PNVFRRGC) and the FIVB Referee Candidate computerized list.
From then, these referees will form part of the PNVF-based referee teams who will be tapped to officiate in any PNVF and PSC sanctioned tournaments nationwide. The PNVF accreditation is also a step towards becoming an International Referee (IR) and the chance to officiate in international volleyball competitions.
The first PNVF refereeing course is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in partnership with the Office of the City Sports Commission headed by Mayor Oscar S. Moreno and the Northern Mindanao Volleyball Association of Coaches and Referees, Incorporated (NORMINVACAR).