Terms of reference
BEC Assessments

Criteria for Assessments towards BEC Accredited and Certificated levels

Process for nominations and upgrades of umpires:

  1. The Member Association shall nominate an umpire for assessment towards BEC Accredited/Certificated level. The selection of umpires for assessment for BEC Accredited/Certificated level shall be approved by the Technical Officials Committee

  2. The selected umpires and their Member Associations will then be notified by Badminton Europe

  3. At the end of the assessment the recommendation from the assessment panel is given to each candidate and subsequently submitted to the Technical Officials Committee for approval

  4. The Member Associations and the umpire are then formally informed by Badminton Europe of their upgrading and a certificate for BEC Accreditation or Certification is given to the umpire

  5. Information regarding the reasons a candidate has been unsuccessful is sent to the umpire's Member Association


Recommendations for candidates undergoing an assessment:

  1. Be yourself, don’t invent faults because you are being assessed, umpire in your normal way. Inventing faults will be detrimental to your assessment

  2. Nerves: you will be nervous, and assessors are looking to see how you deal with pressure. Try not to let nerves get on top of you. Relax when not on court, if you make an error, correct it if possible, or forget it and move on. Otherwise you will likely make more errors

  3. The first match of the tournament on the first day is as important as the last on the last day

  4. Relax in the chair but stay alert

  5. Acknowledge your team on court

  6. Teamwork: remember you are part of a bigger team (ie. service judge, referees, line judges, organisers, etc)


A BEC Accredited umpire should:

  1. Demonstrate a good knowledge of the Laws of Badminton, ITTO and other relevant documents

  2. Show a good command of English in order to be able to communicate with players on court

  3. Attend all briefings as required and complete all assigned duties

  4. Be consistent in the correct interpretation and application of the Laws of Badminton and ITTO

  5. Demonstrate a good introduction of the match, including meeting with players, toss and announcement

  6. Show the ability to work well as a team and protect at all times the other Technical Officials on court

  7. Have a clear and audible voice with and without microphone

  8. Use the correct vocabulary at all times

  9. Be competent in the use of electronic scoring systems and know all their facilities

  10. If required, show the ability to complete a score sheet correctly and where appropriate write notes for warning, fault etc

  11. Be capable of dealing with delay of play without being officious

  12. Show ability to handle confrontational situations on court

  13. Be consistent in identifying and call all types of faults and lets

  14. Be able to correct an error and recover from it

  15. Show ability to maintain concentration throughout a match

  16. Show the ability to present a match

  17. Be capable of being involved with proceedings on court without being officious

  18. Demonstrate awareness and feeling for the game and show the ability to control the game

  19. As service judge, be consistent in identifying and calling service faults

  20. As service judge show a willingness to assist the umpire in any situation if required

  21. Work as a team off court


A BEC Certificated umpire should show a high level of competence in all of the points listed above with the addition of the following points:

  1. An excellent command of the English language allowing effective communication with players, referees and coaches and good command of all the vocabulary when required

  2. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the Laws of Badminton, ITTO and all other relevant documents

  3. Be capable of dealing quickly and effectively with delay of play

  4. Show sound judgement and ability to maintain a high level of concentration under pressure

  5. Be able to detect and deal effectively with gamesmanship and unsportsmanlike behaviour

  6. Show ability to anticipate confrontational situations on court

  7. Show competency in controlling potential flashpoints

  8. Show excellent presentation skills and use of microphone

  9. Show the ability to adapt to any situation

The above are non-exhaustive lists