ITF

22 I ITF CIRCUITS AND PROFESSIONAL TENNIS EVENTS • OFFICIATING Since 2015 all school applications are completed and processed online. This change made the application process easier as work records and all the necessary information for offi cials are stored online and are automatically included in the application. National managers review and endorse applications from their offi cials from the National Association Portal. The ITF Offi ciating Portal was made available for national associations and national offi cials. Various benefi ts were introduced to national offi cials and national associations to ensure that information and international procedures were available to all offi cials working ITF events. The ITF and the Grand Slam tournaments have announced the launch of the ITF/Grand Slam Development Group for Chair Umpires, aiming to support and develop a group of offi cials from different regions. The Group works closely with the ITF/Grand Slam Offi ciating Team and ITF Offi ciating Department.The effort to promote female offi ciating continued in 2015 and for the fi rst time the Fed Cup Final featured an all-female offi ciating team. In 2015, two meetings with representatives of the ATP, WTA, Grand Slam tournaments and the ITF were held to exchange views and ensure cooperation between the different stakeholders. The meeting in June focused on cooperation and objectives to improve offi ciating, while the re-certifi cation meeting in December concentrated on the review of all international certifi cations. The ITF's strategy to develop more offi cials across all regions continued in 2015 with a focus on holding international and national level offi ciating schools in key markets. Eight schools were conducted worldwide and as a result 29 additional international offi cials and 81 White and Green Badge offi cials were certifi ed. Level 3 Schools (International) took place in Los Angeles and Casablanca while Level 2 Schools (White Badge) were held in Cape Town, Campos do Jordao, Nonthaburi, Fuzhou and Bucharest. A Level 1 School (Green Badge) was also organised in La Libertad. Two of the major focuses in 2015 were to increase the number of offi cials and to improve the standard of the current certifi ed offi cials. Various refresher seminars for White Badge, Green Badge and national offi cials were held in Vienna, Beijing, Brazzaville, Algiers and Talcahuano. The ITF continued to work closely with the ITF Regional Offi cers: Nitin Kannamwar, Anders Wennberg, Ricardo Reis, Iain Smith and Pascal Maria, who coordinated various offi ciating projects at different events. A meeting in July was organised, where the group focused on international exchange programmes and the arrangement of national level schools. In addition, the ITF set goals and objectives together with the ITF Regional Offi cers to provide the best possible support and assistance to the different regions. Offi ciating INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION • ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2015

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