Referee Development Seminar w/ BRADLEY BAKER

8 Hour FOC referee clinic with Bradley Baker sponsored by Baltimore Fencing Center. Seminar a pre-requisite for written exam required for referee ratings. Preregistration opens on 03/29/2013. Preregistration closes on 04/20/2013. Time: Class: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a working lunch Saturday (BYO). Location: New West Learning Center 9180-D4 Rumsey Road Columbia MD 21045 (ample parking also available to rear of building). 410 290-7708 The clinic will be held Saturday, April 20, starting at 9:00am and is expected to continue until approximately 5:00pm. The written test is now offered online and typically taken shortly following the clinic: https://fencingofficials.org/test/ If you plan to sit for the exam, please make sure that you have adequately prepared by going through the Study Guide: http://fencingofficials.org/documents/Study_Guide_6-27-2012.pdf Beginning Wednesday April 3, study groups lead by local referees will be held at BFC Columbia, and Thursday April 4 at BFC Timonium. Additional study groups will continue on Wednesdays and Thursdays prior to the clinic. Bring your questions; we will provide discussion and access to the rules and practice test. email BFC @ baltimorefencing@gmail.com if you plan to attend the small study groups. Practical referee exams may be arranged with Mr. Baker by appointment. Attending an official FOC-sanctioned clinic is a prerequisite for attempting the written exam. Once a passing score (90%) has been achieved on the written exam (both the general section and one or more weapon-specific sections) a referee receives a rating of "P" in each weapon passed. Further ratings improvements (1-10) can be obtained at a later date by being evaluated in a practical setting at tournaments. The lecture and question and answer format on Saturday April 20 will provide a broad understanding of the role, responsibilities, and duties of a referee. It is not a study group for test preparation. It is expected that participants will have read the study guide and come prepared with a willingness to learn how to be a better referee and fencer. The cost of the clinic is $50/person payable to Bradley Baker and $10/person to Baltimore Fencing Center and is payable at the door. There will be a working lunch during the clinic. Please bring your own. There is a Subway/ Wendy's/Burger King/Jimmy Johns nearby if you can arrange for someone to bring in the food (no delivery). Bradley Baker is an active FIE-rated referee in all three weapons and former member of the Fencing Officials Commission. He is currently serving as the Secretary of USA Fencing and coaches the fencing team at Temple University. In his copious spare time, he is in his first year studies towards a PhD in Business Administration, with a concentration in Tourism and Sport. Who should attend: - Aspiring referees - who want to learn how right of way and rules are being applied at a national and international level - Athletes - who want to improve their games and get a more complete understanding of their sport - Coaches - who want to maintain their grasp of current interpretations and rules updates - Parents - who want a better understanding of tournament format and the basics of sport fencing for their children - Current referees - who need to fulfill their yearly requirement for seminar attendance or further their personal development