IWBF Europe Talent Program kicked off in Belgrade

On 5-7 November, the 2021 IWBF Europe Talent Referee Group Clinic took place in Belgrade, Serbia. This was the first event of IWBF Europe Talent Program. The clinic was led by Edwin Wallaart, Chairman of IWBF Europe Technical Commission, and Krunoslav Peić, Coordinator of IWBF Europe Talent Program.

IWBF Europe Talent Program aims to give continuity of work and prepare European referees for upcoming wheelchair basketball competitions – Europe- and worldwide. For the program, IWBF Europe Technical Commission has selected 14 international referees and 6 zonal referees coming from 14 countries. The group includes experienced referees and referees that are looking forward to officiating European and World competitions.

During the clinic, the 20 referees had the opportunity to meet as a group, talk about the work that has been done so far, their experiences and expectations. The main topics that have been discussed where refereeing in high-level competitions, individual technics, defensive and offensive faults, unsportsmanlike fault, and act of shooting criteria. The group had the possibility to learn using video clips from Tokyo Paralympics 2020 and to prepare for the upcoming European Championship for Men and Women that will take place in the first half of December in Madrid, Spain. Moreover, sports psychologist Dubravka Martinovic took part in the clinic as special guest.