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Eight new youth technical officials accredited at seminar in France

9 November 2023

Sallanches, France

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Participants of youth judge seminar 2023.

Eight new international youth judges have been appointed to augment the existing team of six.

Twenty-four candidates from 12 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas attended a seminar in Sallanches, in the south of France, on 20-22 October, with the best awarded the accreditation until 2026.

International youth judges serve at events with youth competition categories, including the World Archery Youth Championships, World University Games and Youth Olympic Games. The technical team at each stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup also includes one youth judge.

The eight candidates selected all scored 85% or above on the end-of-course examination.

They will be appointed to events in 2025 and beyond.

“It has been an enriching experience,” said Maria Silvia Falchi, a successful applicant from Italy. “As a judge for the chance of receiving high-level education and as a person for the opportunity of meeting wonderful people from around the world.”

The seminar covered topics including judging philosophy, duties and procedures, as well as venue set-up and rules. Candidates also reviewed case studies from recent international events.

During exam at youth technical officials accreditation seminar.

The youth judge programme was launched in 2009 in Antalya, Türkiye, ahead of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, aiming to shorten the pathway to international appointment.

National judges aged between 18 and 30 were eligible to apply, and candidates passed a World Academy of Sport e-learning course before attending the seminar, which was led by World Archery judge committee chair Indranil Datta, and international judges Christophe Pezet and Kathy Lipscomb.

“It was wonderful to see so many young people keen to be judges on the international stage,” said Lipscomb, who is a member of the European judge committee. “I hope they all learnt a lot from the event and found it useful.”

“Getting to learn from some of the best judges in the world and hearing about their experiences has inspired me,” said Curtis Hirst, a newly certified participant from Great Britain.

It is hoped that continental associations will increase their use of youth judges going forward.

World Archery’s 14 international youth judges are now on the fast track to full accreditation, gaining experience alongside experienced teams at major events.