Enjoying Junior Squash Competitions - a Guide for Parents.
Or, how not to embarrass your children!
Which of the following best describes the current situation with regard to Junior Squash Competitions?
There is no Code of Conduct for Junior Competitions.
There is a Code of Conduct for players only.
There is a Code of Conduct for parents/guardians only
There is a Code of Conduct for parents/guardians and players.
At Junior tournaments which best describes the current refereeing situation?
There are sufficient qualified referees available so that all matches can be appropriately refereed.
There is a shortage of referees so unqualified adults referee when needed.
There is a shortage of referees so juniors over the age of 15 may be required to referee matches when needed.
There is a shortage of referees so any aged junior who wins a match may be required to referee the next match on court.
The referee makes what you consider to be a poor decision. According to the current Code of Conduct, which of the following correctly describes how you as a parent/guardian are meant to behave?
Make no comment.
Complain to the referee.
Call out advice to your child who is on the court not to be put off by the decision.
Say audibly something like "That's a terrible decision".
Your child asks for a let and before the referee can make a decision you say loudly "That's a stroke!". Which of the following best describes your action?
It's okay because you are only expressing an opinion.
It's okay because sometimes parents/guardians can get excited when watching.
You shouldn't say anything.
It's okay if it is, in fact, a stroke.
You believe that your child's opponent is playing 'double hops' during rallies and gaining points unfairly. What should you do?
If you are speaking to your child between rallies remind them that they can appeal to the referee at the end of the rally if they are unsure of the pick-up.
Say it to the referee each time you think it happens.
Say it to the referee during the interval between the games.
Say or do nothing.
Your child has a habit of using inappropriate language on court when things are not going well. How might you best deal with this?
Ignore this bad behaviour as they will grow out of it.
Call out to them from the balcony to behave themselves.
Ask the referee to give a conduct stroke against them
During the interval between games ask them not to do that.
How is a referee required to deal with a parent/guardian who is complaining loudly on the viewing area or arguing with others?
Ignore the behaviour as it is better not to draw attention to it?
Ask the person to stop?
Complain to the Tournament Director after the match?
Ask the person to stop or to leave.
You believe that your child's opponent is playing 'double hops' during rallies and gaining points unfairly. Is it ok to say it to the opponent when you go down to coach your child?
It's ok to speak to the other player during the interval, especially if you believe they are cheating.
Yes it's okay and you should say it to the referee too.
You should only speak to them if their coach parent or guardian is there.
No, it's not okay to do that.
Referees are paid for refereeing squash matches at tournaments. True or False?
True
False
It depends on the tournament.
They are paid only when refereeing Finals.
How can I help inprove refereeing at Junior tournaments?
Volunteer to referee at tournaments.
Become more familiar with the rules of the game.
Encourage more players to become referees.
All of the above!
We have played this to 11, as appropriate to squash! Last one - How can I become a better referee?
Read the Rules.
Refereeing more matches.
Go to Squashref.org and take the quizzes.
Go to the World Squash officiating new website and start at Level 0 and work your way up!