ITF

The ITF's strategy to develop more officials across all regions continued in 2014 with a focus on holding officiating schools in key markets. Overall more officiating schools were conducted in 2014 with pleasing results. Level 3 Schools (International) took place in Doha (Qatar) and Hamburg (Germany) while Level 2 Schools (White Badge) were held in Seoul (South Korea), Vilnius (Lithuania), Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), Cap d'Age (France) and Guayaquil (Ecuador). A Level 1 School (Green Badge) was also organised in Mexico City (Mexico). Two of the major focuses in 2014 were to increase the number of officials and to improve the standard of the current certified officials. Refresher seminars for White Badge and Green Badge officials were held in Doha (Qatar), Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) and Bangalore (India). To provide the best possible support and assistance to the different regions the ITF set goals and objectives together with the ITF Regional Officers. As part of this new plan, Pascal Maria, ITF/Grand Slam Official, worked closely with Soeren Friemel, the ITF Head of Officiating, and Iain Smith, the ITF Regional Officer for Africa. The main objective was to provide students with the best possible preparation prior to a Level 1 School through the supervision of the national association officiating programmes at grassroots level. The ITF continued to work closely with the ITF Regional Officers to promote officiating on all levels. ITF Regional Officers Nitin Kannamwar, Anders Wennberg, Ricardo Reis and Iain Smith coordinated various officiating projects at different events. Part of this was the continuation of the exchange programme and the arrangement of national schools. PROFESSIONAL TENNIS: OFFICIATING 15 OFFICIATING A portal was introduced in an effort to support all national associations in their officiating work. The portal is an extended version of the ITF Officiating Portal and allows the representatives to be updated on rules and regulations but more importantly to oversee the development of their officials. The continuous effort to promote female officiating continued, with the number of female officials selected for Fed Cup assignments increasing again in 2014, up from 54 per cent in 2013 to 60 per cent. In 2014, two meetings with representatives of the ATP, WTA, Grand Slam tournaments and the ITF were held to exchange views and ensure cooperation with the different stakeholders. The meeting, which evaluates the work records of all officials and reviews their certifications, was held in London in December. 60 PER CENT OF THE OFFICIALS AT FED CUP TIES IN 2014 WERE FEMALE

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