KYORUGI AND POOMSAE REFEREES

A formal Taekwondo New Zealand Kyorugi Referee and Poomsae Referee certification programme ensures a consistent and standardized level of application of the rules. It will also ensure there is a pathway available for referee advancement from local (Class 3) through to World Taekwondo International Referee (WT IR).

Highly skilled refereeing is a fundamental requirement for strong domestic competition, which Taekwondo New Zealand (TNZ) sees as a foundation element required for international athlete competitiveness.

TNZ oversees the delivery of two events each year- the Taekwondo New Zealand Open and the Taekwondo New Zealand National Championships. These are considered New Zealand’s premier taekwondo events. To ensure these events are run to an international standard, TNZ is required to provide highly skilled referees. Therefore, TNZ seeks to offer a pathway to develop and enhance the skills of each and every referee.

 Since the national body elections (March 2021), the elected Board has been working on the following:
-Referee classification system
-Tournament affiliation system

The implementation date for the systems was the 1st Jan, 2022. There are a few foundation processes that must be set so systems can function properly.
• First – Setting a tournament calendar for that has no or minimal clashes.
• Second – A meeting of all the Tournament Directors to ensure processes and standards are known and adhered to for each year.
• Third – Up-skilling of referees and coaches.

To achieve the third item, the national body will be holding the “Kyorugi Referee and Coach” and “Poomsae Referee and Coach” seminars Schedule of workshops/seminars and training

For the purposes of this document:

  • Officials are team managers, tournament directors, coaches, instructors, technical directors

  • Referees are inclusive of: Kyorugi and Poomsae referees, Kyorugi corner judges, Kyorugi computer and video replay system operators, Poomsae judges and Poomsae court controllers

  • There is a distinction between Referee and Judge in both Poomsae and Kyorugi competitions. In Poomsae, Judges assist the Referee. In Kyorugi, Judges are Corner Judges (only).