Umpire Policy

Objectives

  1. To standardise the officiating and playing standards of petanque competitions in New Zealand.

  2. To provide guidelines and procedures for umpires to ensure consistency of the application of the FIPJP Rules of the Game of Petanque.

Applicability

This policy applies to all affiliated clubs, licensed players, competition officials and administrators involved in Petanque New Zealand sanctioned competitions held in New Zealand.

 

Principles

A. Sporting Principles

Petanque New Zealand seeks to consistently apply sound sporting principles to tournaments. Petanque New Zealand believes:

  1. Fairness

    Everyone should be given an opportunity to pursue their goals and aspirations. Fairness is:

    • not just a way of behaving, it is also a way of thinking;

    • is about operating within the letter and spirit of the rules; and

    • is making informed and honourable decisions on and off the piste.

  2. Safety

    Everyone has the right to operate and participate in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.

  3. Respect

    Everyone should:

    • recognise the contribution of every other person;

    • treat everyone with dignity and courtesy; and

    • take care of the environment, equipment and property.

  4. Responsibility

    Everyone should take responsibility for their actions and be a positive role model on and off the field.

B. Umpiring Principles

Petanque New Zealand believes that:

  1. It is important to provide standard formats and practices in order to ensure that the quality of umpiring is nationally consistent.

  2. Umpiring practices need to be regularly revisited and revised as necessary to reflect changes in the development of the sport.

  3. Umpires should receive practical training in order to support the organisation and management of petanque competitions.

  4. Respect of the rules and procedures is important for the equity of players.

Policy Statement

  1. Petanque New Zealand is committed to providing a comprehensive set of guidelines and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient umpiring of the sport of petanque in New Zealand.

  2. Umpiring standards must be consistent with the FIPJP Rules of the Game of Petanque and Petanque New Zealand rules and by-laws.

Provisions

A. Umpire Classification and Requirements

  1. Umpires in New Zealand are to be classed as follows:

    Level 1 - Club Umpire

    Level 2 - Regional Umpire

    Level 3 - National Umpire

    Level 4 - International Umpire

  2. Umpires must:

    1. Be a member of Petanque New Zealand;

    2. Have an Umpire’s Certificate issued by Petanque New Zealand.

B. Appointments

  1. National Director of Umpiring

    1. The National Director of Umpiring for Petanque New Zealand will be nominated and appointed by the Petanque New Zealand Executive.

    2. The National Director of Umpiring will be appointed for a period of 3 years.

    3. The National Director of Umpiring is appointed as Chair of the Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission for the term of his/her appointment as National Director.

  2. National, Regional & Club Umpires

    1. The National Director of Umpiring will recommend the appointment of umpires to each grade subject to satisfying grade requirements.

    2. The Petanque New Zealand Executive will appoint suitably qualified licensed players to the position of National, Regional or Club Umpire, on the recommendation of the National Director of Umpiring.

C. Umpire Commission Structure and Responsibilities

  1. The Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission shall consist of:

    1. Chairperson (National Director of Umpiring)

    2. Technical Director/Examiner

    3. All Level Three Umpires

  2. This Commission shall:

    1. Communicate with Petanque New Zealand through the Chairperson of the commission.

    2. Assist Petanque New Zealand in the interpretation and proposed amendment of Rules for the playing of Petanque and on all aspects of Petanque play according to the rules of the F.I.P.J.P.

    3. Supervise and/or direct umpire examinations throughout New Zealand as per Section L of this Policy

    4. Select umpires for national and international tournaments as required

    5. Act as a recruiting/ educational resource for expanding the number of qualified umpires in New Zealand

    6. Implement a system of training for new and current umpires.

  3. The National Director of Umpiring (hereinafter referred to as the National Director) shall:

    1. Administrate and co-ordinate all qualified National, Regional and Club Umpires.

    2. Implement a reporting system as per Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission regulations.

    3. Establish and maintain an “Active Status” register of umpires.

    4. Establish and maintain a “National Register of Incident” in order to accurately record infringements of the rules by players and identify “repeat offenders”.

       

    All umpires regardless of Level shall comply with and abide by all directives and guidelines of the Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission.

D. Resignation of Office Bearers

Any member of the Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission may resign their position by notification in writing to the National Director. 

E. Uniforms

  1. Petanque New Zealand will issue National Umpires with one umpire uniform shirt. Umpires will be able to purchase additional shirts at cost price.

  2. Petanque New Zealand will issue all umpires with badges indicating the appropriate grade.

F. Competitions and Tournaments

  1. The National Director shall nominate Level 3 umpires for National tournaments or championships controlled by Petanque New Zealand.

  2. The Umpires officiating at any competition shall be responsible for administering the rules of play in accordance with the Official FIPJP International Rules of Petanque.

  3. Level 2 (Regional) umpires may, if asked, officiate or assist in National events under the supervision of a senior ranked umpire as applicable to the occasion.

  4. Level 1 (Club) umpires may, if asked, officiate or assist in Regional events under the supervision of a senior ranked umpire as applicable to the occasion

  5. Each nominated umpire will act as an "Official Umpire" except in a game in which he/she is involved.

  6. During the day, umpires no longer involved in the competition may become "official" umpires.

  7. If no umpire is present due to unforeseen circumstances, the tournament organising committee must nominate a suitable alternative person to officiate as the umpire of the day.

  8. Officiating umpires are to send a written report to the National Director for all competitions and tournaments at which they officiate.

G. Restrictions on Officiating

  1. Umpires are bound to respect and apply FIPJP and Petanque New Zealand rules, regulations and policies.

  2. No Petanque NZ umpire, regardless of Level or position, is to officiate in any tournament or competition that has not been approved or recognised by, or run in accordance with the guidelines for competitions and tournaments of Petanque New Zealand.

  3. An officiating umpire is not permitted to undertake any other duty with regards to the competition/tournament for which he/she is officiating (for example registration table, disputes committee, tournament director, coach).

H. Tournament and Activity Reports

  1. Competition/Tournament Reports must be completed for all official National, Regional and Club tournaments by the Official Umpire for the event and, if necessary for reason of incident or warning, the assisting umpire(s) in attendance. Incident reports and details of subsequent penalties and/or disciplinary decisions or actions must be forwarded to the National Director.

  2. Active Duty Reports must be completed by all umpires and forwarded to the National Director on a quarterly basis (minimum).

  3. Failure of umpires to fulfill responsibilities as detailed in the above paragraphs may result in disciplinary action being taken by the Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission.

I. Ongoing Training

The National Director is to hold workshops and meetings with all umpires on a regular basis, at the appropriate level. In situations where distance makes the holding of regular meetings impractical, umpire’s business may be conducted by telephone, postal or electronic correspondence.

J. Conduct & Discipline

  1. The National Director of Umpires is responsible for the performance of umpires throughout New Zealand.

  2. The Petanque New Zealand Umpire Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour for Petanque New Zealand Umpires. All umpires are to sign a copy of this form and submit it to the National Director of Umpiring.

  3. Any report or complaint regarding the behaviour or performance of an umpire is to be forwarded to the National Director.

  4. In the case of poor Umpire performance, the National Director is to investigate the matter, consult with the Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission and instigate corrective action. Sanctions may be applied for poor performance.

  5. In the case of misconduct or violations of Petanque New Zealand Constitution, Policies, Procedures, or Codes of Conduct by an umpire, the National Director is to investigate and refer the matter to the Petanque New Zealand Executive for action in accordance with the processes laid out in the Constitution.

K. Downgrading or Suspension

  1. As a result of poor performance or disciplinary action, an umpire may be downgraded, suspended or have his/her umpire licence revoked.

  2. If inactive without valid reason for an extended period, an umpire may be downgraded to a lower level or be required to re-sit and pass an examination in order to retain status.

L. Examinations

  1. Setting

    1. The Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission will set dates for examinations and be responsible for the compilation of written examination papers.

    2. Umpire examinations shall be conducted as appropriate at any convenient time and shall be supervised by a member of the Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission.

    3. The National Director will organise courses and workshops for existing umpires as appropriate to individual needs.

  2. Eligibility

    1. Any financial member of an affiliated club can apply to become a Level 1 (Club) umpire by forwarding a written application to the National Director. After passing the Written, Oral, and Practical exam, he/she will then be authorised (after ratification from Petanque New Zealand on the recommendation from the Petanque New Zealand Umpire Commission) to umpire in Club events within his/her respective Region and assist in Regional events.

    2. After completing 1 full year as an active Level 1 (Club) umpire, the umpire may apply to sit for a Level 2 (Regional Umpire) examination.

    3. After completing 1 year as an active Level 2 (Regional) Umpire, an umpire can apply to sit the exam for Level 3 (National).

    4. Applicants must be physically fit and possess good eyesight as a prerequisite before applying to sit for a Club, Regional or National Umpire examination.

    5. Applicants must be under 55 years of age to be eligible to apply for an International Umpire Licence as per the FIPJP rules.

Sources and Acknowledgements

The following sources of information used in this document are acknowledged:

  • Petanque Australia Umpire Commission

Reviews And Approval

The National Director of Umpiring and the Petanque New Zealand National Council shall review this policy every two years.

 

March 2006

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