Top referee reaches out to community

Former Fiji Volleyball Federation general secretary and rector of referees, Jerry Cakau Saylor has stepped in to assist in the developing of referees for grassroots community volleyball.

Speaking to SUNsports, Saylor said he had been working together with the Fiji Sports Council and Nasinu Volleyball Alliance to develop grassroots community volleyball.

"The development of grassroots referees is for the progress of community volleyball," he said.

"It has been progressing well. They have been taught all avenues and aspects of how to conduct themselves in public, how to run referees' clinics, how to manage volleyball administration and above all, how to serve people who have chosen volleyball."

Saylor said there are still many challenges in rural areas.

"Some know how to play the game but lack knowledge of the rules. It is important to educate them, so they understand why rules matter," he said.

"What I have been pursuing with teams and players in tournaments is this: on the court, referees are in-charge.

Outside the court, organisers are in-charge. Swearing or making bad remarks to officials and players from the spectator side can lead to their removal. I did this during the Fiji Sports Council Games in Suva last December.

I stopped the game and warned everyone in the gymnasium. During the two days, everyone enjoyed the game as it was played."

Saylor now resides in Australia, where he works as a high school teacher.

"What I want for Fiji Volleyball is to be developed holistically and to educate grassroots communities as well."

"Take more competitions to communities and include them in tournaments at the gymnasium. This is what we are planning to do with the Fiji Sports Council and Nasinu," Saylor said.

Clinics were held before every tournament, so players are aware of the new rules and referees' expectations on and off the court.

"Once these rules and regulations are implemented, volleyball will rise again professionally. I only came to Fiji during my school break to do this work. On my holidays, with my own expenses, I toured around Fiji conducting clinics and developing referees to continue the work during my absence."

NOTICE

Grassroots development clinics were scheduled for:

Sigatoka: February

Rakiraki: March

Kadavu: April 24--25 (Under-20 & Open divisions)

Savusavu: May