Ukrainian referees work on further improvements to match level of the game

Very often during a volleyball match, both fans and players keep their breath waiting for a decision to be made by the match officials. Sometimes the result of key matches depends on such decisions. This is why, on the eve of the 2023/2024 season, the administration of the Professional Volleyball League of Ukraine (PVLU) held a training seminar for referees in the city of Chernivtsi. This was some sort of ‘working on own mistakes’ session to learn from past experiences and reduce such mistakes to a minimum. 

According to Andrii Liopa, Director General of the PVLU, attention will be paid to work with the video challenge. “We have been using the system for one season only and so there were some nuances that we would like to get rid of in the future. So, this is precisely why we gathered - to take into consideration all the drawbacks and decide on the future work.” According to Mr Liopa, from the point of view of refereeing, no special changes are foreseen. But the referees themselves will now be chosen through online draws for each match. This initiative of the President of the PVLU, Volodymyr Dubinskyi, found 100% support from the presidents of all Ukrainian volleyball clubs. This is a step to prevent manipulation and avoid possible psychological discomfort even though the last season shows the absence of such precedents. So, first this system will work in a test mode. And if it proves itself worthy, then such an algorithm for the selection of referees will remain and be used on a permanent basis.

Alim Batiuk, former international a referee, a member of the Refereeing Commission of the Ukrainian Volleyball Federation noted that there were no serious complaints about the work of the referees during the last season. “The referees who officiate matches at competitions under the auspices of the PVLU (and in the 2022-2023 season, these are the women’s and men’s Super Leagues, the League Cup and the Prometheus Open) are highly qualified specialists, have a great experience of refereeing, and most of them are international referees. And these are dedicated professionals.” However, all referees accepted the invitation to the training seminar. They admit that the practice of conducting such seminars by the PVLU is a great opportunity to gain new experience and exchange new ideas in the world of sports with colleagues. Volleyball does not stand still, it develops, and so does Ukrainian Volleyball, regardless of the situation in the country.

Vasyl Khutornyy, former international referee: “We cannot stand still. We must keep up with the times and constantly raise the level of our professionalism.”

Kateryna Hranko, international referee candidate: “Referees have no right to make a mistake, even in sports. The profession does not allow mistakes, especially when it comes to competitions at the all-Ukrainian level. I am very grateful to have been invited to such training. This is very important knowledge for us.”

Mykhaylo Medvid, international referee: “The current situation forces us to rearrange our work. Now the refereeing process is more technological. This makes our work easier but forces us to review the refereeing process itself. And it is better to do it together, during such meetings, to develop a common scheme and rhythm of our work. In a close circle, we exchanged opinions about last year’s work, analysed all nuances, and drew up a clear work algorithm for the 2023-2024 season, which promises to be even more intense, intriguing, interesting and will require maximum concentration and professionalism from the team of referees.”

Vitaliy Parshyn, international referee, head of the Methodical Sub-Commission of the Ukrainian Refereeing Committee, is convinced that the scale with which the preparations for the new season started, shows that the PVLU has serious ambitions for the development of Ukrainian Volleyball. “We, as representatives of the panel of referees, must match the level. After all, not only teams and coaches are looking at us, but the whole country is looking at us. And if Ukrainian Volleyball is rapidly approaching the elite of European Volleyball, we have no right to slow down either.”

Mr Liopa concluded: “I am very glad that both referees and technical delegates responded to our invitation. Only in cooperation will we be able to get rid of the drawbacks and improve the work in the next season. We want the 2023-2024 Super League to become a real volleyball party, and we will work tirelessly on this. And I would like to thank the Ukrainian soldiers once again on behalf of the entire volleyball community for protecting us, giving us the opportunity to play and develop Ukrainian Volleyball. I wish the representatives of the refereeing panel productive and error-free work, to the athletes - a good game!”