Volleyball Refereeing Courses

GENERAL REGULATIONS

(v10.2016)

FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE VOLLEYBALL

Château Les Tourelles, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland Tel:+41(21)345 3535 Fax:+41 (21)345 3545
E-mail:[email protected]

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

VOLLEYBALL REFEREEING COURSES

GENERAL REGULATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 4
2. INTERNATIONAL REFEREEING CANDIDATE COURSES 4
2.1 CONDITIONS FOR FIVB RECOGNITION 4
2.2 APPLICATION 4
2.3 PARTICIPANTS 5
a) Entry conditions 5
b) Age limit 5
c) Medical 6
2.4 INSTRUCTORS 6
2.5 DURATION 6
2.6 WORKING LANGUAGE 6
2.7 TECHNICAL FACILITIES 6
2.7.1 Lecture hall 6
2.7.2 Sports facilities and equipment 7
2.7.3 Teams: players and personnel 7
2.8 PROGRAMME 7
2.8.1 General 7
2.8.2 Theory of officiating 7
2.8.3 Practice of officiating 8
2.9 EXAMINATIONS 8
2.10 FINANCIAL CONDITIONS 8
2.11 PROCEDURE FOR THE SETTING-UP OF AN INTERNATIONAL REFEREE 9
CANDIDATE COURSE 9
2.12 FINAL REPORT 10
3. NATIONAL COURSES 10
3.1 APPLICATION 10
3.2 PARTICIPANTS 10
a) Entry conditions 10
b) Age limit: 10
c) Working language 11
d) Entries 11
e) Medical: 11
3.3 INSTRUCTORS 11
3.4 DURATION 11
3.5 TECHNICAL FACILITIES 11

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

3.5.1 Lecture hall 11

3.5.2 Sports facilities and equipment 12
3.5.3 Teams: players and personnel 12
3.6 MODEL COURSE PROGRAMME 12
3.7 FINANCIAL CONDITIONS 14
3.8 CERTIFICATE / ATTESTATION 14
3.9 FINAL REPORT 14
4. REFRESHER COURSES 15
4.1 APPLICATION 15
4.2 PARTICIPANTS 15
a) Entry conditions 15
b) Working language 15
c) Entries 15
d) Medical 15
4.3 INSTRUCTORS 16
4.4 DURATION 16
4.5 TECHNICAL FACILITIES (provided by the organiser) 16
4.5.1 Lecture hall 16
4.5.2 Sports facilities and equipment 16
4.5.3 Teams: players and personnel 16
4.6 PROGRAMME 17
4.7 EXAMINATIONS 17
4.8 FINANCIAL CONDITIONS 17
4.9 FINAL REPORT 18

Forms
C-R1 APPLICATION FOR FIVB REFEREEING COURSES
C-R2 COURSE AGREEMENT
C-R3 REGISTRATION FORM
C-R4 INVITATION
M-4 MEDICAL CERTIFICATE FOR THE PARTICIPANTS
C-R6 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
C-R7 PRACTICAL SCORE EVALUATION
C-R8 COURSE REPORT

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

VOLLEYBALL REFEREEING COURSES

GENERAL REGULATIONS

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

1.1 International Refereeing Candidate Courses (IRCC), Continental Courses,

National Courses, and Refresher Courses can only be organised by a National
Federation, a Development Centre, a Continental Confederation or the FIVB.

The FIVB sponsors each year one refereeing course with international
participation, per Development Centre.

Courses held by NFs/Confederations are staged under the exclusive financial

responsibility of the organisers.

1.2 Courses that do not conform to these Regulations are not granted official FIVB
recognition.

1.3 Refresher Courses (see Section 5) do not qualify referees but can be
organised either at national or international level.

2. INTERNATIONAL REFEREEING CANDIDATE COURSES

2.1 CONDITIONS FOR FIVB RECOGNITION

Only under the direction and approval of the FIVB Refereeing Commission can
International Refereeing Candidate Courses be organised by National
Federations affiliated to the FIVB, Development Centres and Continental
Confederations, provided the procedure is duly followed.

If a course does not provide the full duration, standard or programme, if 6

countries at least do not take part, or if no examination is held, participants
will not receive an attestation and the course will not be validated by the
Refereeing Commission.

2.2 APPLICATION

The NF, Development Centre or Confederation wishing to organise candidate

courses must apply in writing by November 30th of each year, to the FIVB
Sports Development Department or/and Volleyball Events Department, by
using the standard forms C-R1 and C-R2. These can be copied from the
current Regulations. The organiser should mention in the application form the
maximum number of participants which take part in the Course.

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

2.3 PARTICIPANTS

a) Entry conditions:

Participants should have passed successfully the continental pre-course, the

FIVB on-line and E-learning courses. Confederations to inform FIVB about the
result of the pre-course and confirm its support for the application to register
the candidate.

Participants should have been registered by the FIVB at least 3 times out of
the last 5 years. National Federations are responsible for checking their
registration with the FIVB. In case of doubt the FIVB can be consulted. In case
of clashes between participants’ applications from two or more countries within
the deadline: the priority goes to a country which does not exceed its referee
quota or has a low percentage of a referee quota to be filled. FIVB Sports
Development shall decide this issue.

To be granted official recognition, a minimum of 10 referees must

participate in the course and maximum 15.

Each invited National Federation may designate a maximum of 2 National

Referees; the organising National Federation may appoint 3 Candidates. An
additional candidate from each participating country or organiser may be
accepted, if a female referee is one of the proposed candidates.

Candidates not passing the course may be designated again as

candidates by their National Federations only 12 months after the date of
the previous course and only once.

National Federations can cancel the participation of their Candidate(s)

without any consequences only 30 days before the IRCC official opening
day. If the cancellation takes place within 30 days before the IRCC
opening day, without acceptable reason, the Federation will not have
right to designate Candidate(s) to any IRCC during the next calendar
year.

Participants will follow an entry test to check their basic knowledge of the
Official Volleyball Rules and of English.

The FIVB reserves its rights to reject applicants who are not found in
compliance with the present Regulations.

b) Age limit:

The minimum age to participate in an International Refereeing Course is

twenty five (25) and maximum is forty-one (41) at any time during the year of
the course, proven by passport which contains at least the year of the person’s
birth.

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

c) Medical:

Each participant must present the official Medical Certificate Form (M-4)
enclosed to his Individual Registration Form (C-R3). Participants will follow, if
necessary, an entry test to check their body mass index. Those participants
who will not be found in compliance with the established standard shall not be
allowed to take part in the course.

2.4 INSTRUCTORS

A Course Director will be nominated by the FIVB Refereeing Commission,

together with a Rules lecturer nominated by the FIVB Rules of the Game
Commission, at their annual meetings, from among their members.

2.5 DURATION

Not less than 10 days and to insure that each participant will have at least one
match as first referee and one match as second referee during the practical
sessions.

2.6 WORKING LANGUAGE

English is the compulsory working language of the course. Lectures,

written and oral examinations as well as all communications will be in English.
Therefore, the Course Director must check, before the beginning of each
course, the candidates' basic knowledge of the Official Volleyball Rules and
basic knowledge in English (written and oral). Candidates who do not fulfil this
requirement cannot participate. Interpreters are not allowed.

This condition must be clearly stated in the official invitation letter sent to NFs
by the organiser (Form C-R4) and must also appear in the Individual
Registration Form.

2.7 TECHNICAL FACILITIES (provided by the organiser)

2.7.1 Lecture hall

• lecture hall, equipped with seats and writing surface for all participants
• flip chart with marking pens
• podium, table and chairs for the instructors
• LCD projector to attach to computer
• overhead projector with screen and pens
• video camera, photocopier
• video recorder and monitor are recommended
• Official Volleyball Rules, Refereeing Guidelines and Instructions,
Casebook
• E-scoresheet system and line-up sheets

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

2.7.2 Sports facilities and equipment

• one indoor Volleyball court equipped according to FIVB standards. This

must be clean, regularly marked, well maintained and illuminated, with
chairs
• and benches for all participants beside the court
• scorers’ table, E-scoresheet system, line-up sheets and flags for line
judges, FIVB homologated head-sets and bench tablets system
• regular net for matches
• podium, table and chairs for the instructors
• manometer

2.7.3 Teams: players and personnel

• high level international competition (including continental senior, junior

or youth Championships) or national senior competition or international
junior competition for the practical part and examination of the
candidates, in which each candidate must have the possibility of
officiating one complete match at least as first referee, as second
referee, as scorer, assistant scorer and line judge under the control and
supervision of the director and instructors.

• assistant personnel for the matches: ball-retrievers (6), floor-moppers

(8)

2.8 PROGRAMME

The course must cover the following theoretical and practical subjects:

2.8.1 General

• Organisation of the FIVB

• History of Volleyball in the world
• System of qualification of referees by the FIVB
• Fundamental skills of a referee
• Rights and duties of an international referee

2.8.2 Theory of officiating

• Current Official Volleyball Rules

• Administration of the matches (FIVB Regulations for official
competitions)
• Guidelines and Casebook for practical applications of the Official
Volleyball Rules
• Hand signals for officiating
• Psychological requirements of refereeing (for the function of VB
referees)
• Scoring method

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

2.8.3 Practice of officiating

(1st, 2nd referee, scorer, assistant scorer and line judge)

• Confirmation and investigation of standard of judgement in play
• Practice of officiating (1st, 2nd referee, scorer, assistant scorer, line
judges) for each participant
• Management of special cases, criticism of personal achievement during
practice

2.9 EXAMINATIONS / Attestations and Certificates

2.9.1 Once the theoretical instruction has been completed, the participants will sit
theoretical and practical examinations as follow:

• Scoring test (with scoring practice)

• Written examination (official test of the RC)
• Practical examination during Volleyball tournament (one complete
match during the tournament)
• Oral examination (20 minutes for each participant)

2.9.2 Performances are evaluated according to the following scale:

Very Good - Good - Sufficient – Insufficient

Form C-R6 reflects the performance including two main scores: Theoretical
and Practical. The Practical score is divided into two portions: Refereeing
(80%) and Scoring (20%). The Refereeing score is apportioned as follows: 1st
Referee (55%), 2nd Referee (35%) and Line Judge (10%). Scoring is
apportioned as follows: Scoring (80%) and Assistant Scoring (20%). Passing
performance requires at least a performance of “Good” on one of the criteria
(Theoretical and Practical) and at least “Sufficient” on the other criterion.

Very Good = 85 and higher. Good = 75 to 84. Sufficient = 65-74. Insufficient =

less than 65.

2.9.3 When the examinations are over, the Course Director will give an Attestation
to every participant showing the result of the examinations.

2.9.4 The FIVB Sport Development Department will send a Certificate to

candidates having passed the examination and having been approved by the
Refereeing Commission.

2.10 FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

The organiser must cover:

• Administrative expenses
• Instructors' transportation (air return ticket, economy class)
• Instructors' per diem according to art. 1.6.11 of the FIVB Financial
Regulations
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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

• Visa, airport tax and vaccination costs upon presentation of the

receipts.
• Local transportation and accommodation

The FIVB covers the following:

• For courses held in Development Centres, the FIVB is responsible for

the per diem and transportation of the Instructors

2.11 PROCEDURE FOR THE SETTING-UP OF AN INTERNATIONAL REFEREE

CANDIDATE COURSE

a) Applications to be submitted as mentioned in Art 2.2:

b) During the annual meeting:

Applications to be studied for approval/rejection by the FIVB Refereeing

Commission. Appointment of Course Director/Instructors by the FIVB
Refereeing and Rules of the Game Commissions.

c) After the annual meeting:

The FIVB to inform the organisers that the course has been
granted/rejected and to communicate the names of the Instructors after
having checked their availability.

d) 2-3 months prior to the course:

Organiser to send out the invitation letter (C-R4) together with

enclosures (CR3 and M-4). Documents to be returned by participants at
least 45 days prior to the course as follows:

- to the organiser : copies of CR3 and CR4 forms

- to FIVB Sports Events/Sports Development department: the
originals of CR3, CR4 and M4 and travel schedule

The organiser must also guarantee that entry visas will be delivered to
each participant.

e) 1 month prior to the course:

The Course Director to prepare, on the basis of the current Regulations,

the course programme with daily timetable, which should be
communicated to the organiser, copy to FIVB, with any specification of
required material.

f) 1 month prior to the course:

After receiving in return the forms CR-3 and M-4, the FIVB to confirm
the registration to the organiser and participants. It will be the obligation

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

of the organiser to provide the registered candidates with all the

relevant information including accommodation, visa / vaccinations
requirements, final daily programme, etc.

2.12 FINAL REPORT

A final report (Forms C-R6, C-R7 and C-R8) must be submitted to the FIVB by
the Course Director and Instructor(s), within the following two weeks, including
the number of participants, their names, country, general results and remarks
and the examination results.

The daily programme and a group picture of the participants have to be

attached to the final report.

3. NATIONAL COURSES

Courses run by National Federations are recognised by the FIVB if previously

approved by the latter. They differ from Development Centre courses in that
the FIVB has no financial obligations.

National Federations establish their own procedure for nomination of national

referees and then may register them with the FIVB Volleyball Events
Department (Articles 40.2.2 and 40.2.3, FIVB Event Regulations). However,
the FIVB makes the following recommendations:

3.1 APPLICATION

The request to hold National Courses with FIVB instructors must be submitted
by the standard forms C-R1 and C-R2, which can be copied from these
Regulations.

Applications must be submitted to the FIVB Sports Development Department

and/or Volleyball Events Department a by November 30th of each year for
courses to be held during the following season. The calendar of courses starts
in November of each year to end in July of the following year.

3.2 PARTICIPANTS

a) Entry conditions:

When a NF applies for the organisation of a National Course with FIVB

instructors and if no referee training exists in the country, participants should
be former players or sportsmen who have some practical knowledge of
Volleyball.

b) Age limit:

Minimum 18 years, maximum 35 years

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c) Working language:

English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. Simultaneous translation

into the national language may be provided by the organiser.

d) Entries:

Maximum 20 participants (per two instructors), taking facilities into

consideration.

In principle no entry fee is requested from the participants; at the organising

National Federation’s discretion.

e) Medical:

Good physical condition. The National Federation is advised to request a

medical certificate from the participants. The FIVB Medical form (M-4) may be
used.

3.3 INSTRUCTORS

Instructors must be either the President or a member of the organising

Federation’s Refereeing Commission, or an experienced International
Referee. They must have complete knowledge of refereeing theory (Official
Volleyball Rules) and practice (Refereeing Instructions and Guidelines and
Casebook), as well as some teaching experience.

If FIVB instructors are requested by the organiser for its national programmes,
they are nominated by the FIVB Refereeing Commission at its annual meeting.

3.4 DURATION

Intensive course: Seven days (at least 45 working hours), with a practical
session of at least three sets per participant.

Part-time course: Six weeks, with two weekly afternoon sessions lasting four
hours.
3.5 TECHNICAL FACILITIES (provided by the organiser)

3.5.1 Lecture hall

• table and chair for each participant

• blackboard with chalk (different colours), or flip chart with marking pens
• podium, table and chairs for the instructors
• overhead projector with screen and pens
• LCD projector to attach to computer
• video cassette recorder (if possible)
• one copy of the Official Volleyball Rules for each participant (in the
national language or in English)
• one block of scoresheets and Libero control sheets for each participant

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

• one block of line-up sheets for each participant

• one copy of the Refereeing Guidelines and Instructions and the Case
Book for each participant

3.5.2 Sports facilities and equipment

• Volleyball court, with clear lines and lighting

• regular net, posts, antennae, side bands
• referee’s chair
• team benches
• scorer’s table with scoreboard, and chair
• table and chairs behind the scorer’s table for the instructors
• chairs for the participants
• balls, manometer
• 4 line judges’ flags
• 6 mops (for indoor hall)

3.5.3 Teams: players and personnel

• two teams with 12 players each and coaches, wearing uniforms with
numbers
• at the instructors’ request, the players must demonstrate the different
faults connected with ball touch and those made in the various skills
• the teams play matches to give the course participants the opportunity
to practices
• such matches may be organised during a tournament, but each
participant must officiate at least 3 sets as 1st and 2nd referee, line
judge, scorer and assistant scorer

3.6 MODEL COURSE PROGRAMME

Day 1 – Morning

• Opening; brief history of the FIVB and the respective National

Federation Rules
• Rules 1-5 (if possible with video)
• Referee’s role in Volleyball: competence, objectivity, fairness, humanity

Day 1 – Afternoon

• Information on national and international classification of referees

• Rules 6-7 - completion of the scoresheet and line-up sheet
• Hand signals of referees
• Cooperation between referees, scorers and line judges before, during
and after the match

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Day 2 – Morning

• Rules 8-11
• Protocol before and after the match
• Discussion of faults made in completing the scoresheets

Day 2 – Afternoon

• Rules 12-14 and 19

Day 3 – Morning

• Cooperation of the 1st and 2nd referees and scorer during substitutions
• Preparation of the afternoon’s practical session
• Cooperation with hand signals (repetition)

Day 3 – Afternoon

• Practice with teams: players demonstrate regular and irregular ball

touches under the direction of the instructors and coaches
• Practical refereeing: at least 6-8 sets
• Refereeing evaluation after each set; wrong Rule application may be
corrected during play

Day 4 – Morning

• Rules 15-18 and 20-21: difference between improper request and

delay, and distinction from misconduct Explanation and repetition of
2nd referee (changing court sides to be on the side of the receiving
team before each serve)

Day 4 – Afternoon

• Practical refereeing: 6-8 sets, with special attention to service, attack

and block

Day 5 – Morning

• Rules 22-28:
• Practical refereeing evaluation of day 4

Day 5 – Afternoon

• Practical refereeing: 6-8 sets, with special attention to application of

Rules 25-30

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

Day 6 – Morning

• Practical Refereeing Evaluation of Day 5

• Repetition and questions by the participants
• Written examination: 40 questions prepared by the instructors

Day 6 – Afternoon

• Practical refereeing: 6-8 sets (refereeing duties to be given preferably to

the least capable participants)

Day 7 – Morning

• Practical Refereeing Evaluation of Day 6

• Oral examination on the basis of the written examination
• Final review of the Official Volleyball Rules

Day 7 – Afternoon

• Examination on scoring
• Practical refereeing: final evaluation
• Closing of the course

3.7 FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

The organiser must cover:

• Administrative expenses
• Instructors' transportation (air return ticket, economy class)
• Instructor's per diem and travel allowance according to art. 1.6.11 of the
FIVB Financial Regulations
• Visa, airport tax and vaccination costs upon presentation of the receipts
• Local transportation and accommodation

The FIVB covers the following:

• For courses held in Development Centres, the FIVB is responsible for

the per diem and international transportation of the instructors.

3.8 CERTIFICATE / ATTESTATION

No FIVB certificate or attestation is delivered after a National Course. However

the NF may deliver its own diploma.

3.9 FINAL REPORT

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A final report (Forms C-R6 and C-R8) must be submitted to the FIVB by the
instructors, within the following two weeks, including the daily programme, the
number of participants, their names, country, general results and remarks and
the examination results according to the following scale of performance:

Very good – Good – Sufficient – Insufficient

4. REFRESHER COURSES

Refresher courses do not qualify referees. These courses are aimed to update
the referees' knowledge on the Official Volleyball Rules, Refereeing Guidelines
and Instructions as well as their practical refereeing skills, and to draw their
attention on the new Rules and their interpretation after the approval of new
Rules or amendments by the FIVB Congress.

This type of courses can be organised at the international level by National

Federations, Development Centres and Continental Confederations.

4.1 APPLICATION

The organiser must apply in writing by November 30th of each year, to the
FIVB, by using the standard forms C-R1 and C-R2. These can be copied from
the current Regulations.

4.2 PARTICIPANTS

a) Entry conditions

Participants can be
• International Referees (not very often nominated to FIVB and/or
Continental competitions)
• Candidates for International Referee
• Highest level National Referees.

b) Working language

The official working language of the Refresher courses is English. For National
Referees simultaneous interpretation to other languages is allowed.

c) Entries

The number of participants is fixed by the organiser, taking into consideration

the facilities for practice. To be granted official recognition a minimum of 15
and maximum of 25 referees must participate in the course. At least one
third of the participants should be International Referee or Candidate
International Referee and a minimum of two countries must participate.

d) Medical

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

Each participant must present the official Medical Certificate (Form M-4).

4.3 INSTRUCTORS

A course director is nominated by the FIVB Refereeing Commission at its

annual meeting.

If the practice is in more than one hall, the FIVB Refereeing Commission
nominates an instructor, as well, from among its members, or from the FIVB
referee instructors.

4.4 DURATION

Between 4-7 days (depends on the number of participants).

4.5 TECHNICAL FACILITIES (provided by the organiser)

4.5.1 Lecture hall

• lecture hall, equipped with seats and writing surface for all participants
• adequate space for interpreters
• blackboard with chalk (different colours), or flip chart with marking pens
• podium, table and chairs for the Director/Instructor
• LCD projector to attach to computer
• overhead projector
• video camera
• video recorder and monitor are recommended
• Official Volleyball Rules, Refereeing Guidelines and Instructions, Case
Book for each participant in English
• scoresheets, Libero control sheets and line-up sheets

4.5.2 Sports facilities and equipment

• one indoor Volleyball court for every 16 participants. This must be

clean, regularly marked, well maintained and illuminated, with chairs
and benches for all participants beside the court
• scorers’ table, score sheets (official international), Libero control sheets,
line-up sheets and flags for line judges
• regular net for matches
• podium, table, chair for the Director, Instructor

4.5.3 Teams: players and personnel

• high level teams for regular tournament (if possible international senior
or junior) playing at least 3 sets for each participant for practical
refereeing and practical examination,

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

• assistant personnel for the matches: ball-retrievers (6), floor-moppers

(8)

4.6 PROGRAMME

Day 1:

• The latest amendments made to the Official Volleyball Rules by the

FIVB Congress.
• Preliminary examination

Day 2 – Morning

• Updating referees’ knowledge on those issues which are required by

the course participants (based on a preliminary examination).

Day 2 – Afternoon

• Practical evaluation of the participants, verbal evaluation after each

game (priority is given to the interpretation of the new Rules).

Day 3 – 7

• Practical evaluation of the participants, evaluation after each game

(priority is given to the interpretation of the new Rules).

• Closing of the course.

4.7 EXAMINATIONS / Attestation and certificate

The participants receive no attestation / certificate. However, the organiser

may issue a diploma printed for this occasion.

4.8 FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

The organiser must cover:

• Administrative expenses
• Director's and instructor’s (if nominated) international transportation (air
return ticket, economy class)
• Director’s and instructor's (if nominated) per diem and travel allowance
according to art. 1.6.11 to the FIVB Financial Regulations
• Visa, airport tax and vaccination costs upon presentation of the
receipts.
• Local transportation and accommodation

The FIVB covers the following:

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 Volleyball Refereeing Courses GENERAL REGULATIONS

• For courses held in Development Centres, the FIVB is responsible for

the per diem and international transportation of the Director and
Instructor (if nominated).

4.9 FINAL REPORT

The Course Director must submit a final report (Forms C-R6 and C-R8) to the
FIVB including, the number of participants, their names, country, general
results and remarks.

The daily program and a group photo of the participants must be

attached to the final report.

The Director and Instructor (if nominated) have to submit an interim report to
the FIVB Refereeing Committee concerning International Volleyball Referees’
performance and recommendations.

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