Trekanten Referee (TR) program

Purpose

The Trekanten Referee Program (TR) provides structured training and certification for referees within the club. The program is divided into three levels (TR3 → TR2 → TR1), with increasing requirements in knowledge, practical experience, and responsibility.

Levels & Requirements

TR3 (Entry Level)

Requirements:

• Attended referee course (minimum 3 hours)

• Passed hand gesture / verbal commands / phrases assessment

• Passed general rules exam (online)

• Passed rules exam (online)

• Practiced refereeing in the club (minimum 25 hours, logged)

• Fenced for at least 1.5 years (minimum 100 hours)

• Minimum age: 15 years

Deadline: All TR3 requirements must be completed within 6 months of the initial course.

TR2 (Intermediate Level)

Requirements:

• Passed online video analysis test (online)

• Passed competition rules exam (online)

• Registered/documented competition experience (minimum 3 competitions, including pools + DE refereeing)

• Passed practical evaluation at a competition (by TR1 or external examiner)

• + all TR3 requirements

Deadline: All TR2 requirements must be completed within 12 months of starting TR2.

TR1 (Advanced / Senior Level)

Requirements:

• Active referee with minimum 2 years of refereeing experience

• Documented experience: minimum 4 pools + 8 DE bouts at three or more different competitions

• Passed theoretical and practical exam conducted by an FIE examiner (or equivalent external authority)

• + all TR2 and TR3 requirements

Deadline: All TR1 requirements must be completed within 24 months of starting TR1.

Deadlines & Completion Rules

Exams (online / written / theory)

• All exams must be passed within 3 months of the associated course/workshop.

• Failed exam policy:

  • Minimum 24h wait before retaking.

  • Maximum 3 retakes allowed.

  • If failed after 3 attempts → the course must be re-attended before further attempts.

Practical Requirements

• Club practice hours (TR3): Completed within 6 months of the course.

• Competition experience (TR2+): Logged within 12 months of starting the level. At least one competition per season must be refereed to maintain progression.

Progression Flow

• Elements may be completed individually and in any order.

• Certification is awarded only when all requirements are completed within deadlines.

• Missed deadlines = restart that level (previously passed elements may be credited at the discretion of a TR1 referee).

General Rules

• Age limits:

  • Referees under 18 should not referee above their own age group unless approved by their coach/club or legal guardian.

  • Entry into the program not allowed if age ≥ 60. Once certified, no upper age limit applies.

• Activity & Suspension:

  • After 18 months of inactivity (no competition refereeing), license is suspended.

  • Re-activation requires passing the most recent online rules exam(s).

• Evaluation Authority:

  • TR1 referees may conduct examinations and evaluations to progress referees to any level below their own.

• Ethics & Respect:

  • Referees represent Trekanten and must uphold neutrality, consistency, and respect towards fencers and organisers.

  • Failure to uphold ethical standards may result in suspension of license, reviewed by TR1 referees and the club board.

Summary of Deadlines

• Exams: 3 months from course

• Club practice (TR3): 6 months

• Competition experience (TR2): 12 months

• TR1 completion: 24 months

• Exam retakes: max 3, with 24h gap

• Inactivity suspension: 18 months