In an effort to update all volleyball enthusiasts in the country, especially the referees, coaches and players, with regards to the latest changes to the Rule of the Game 2009-2012, the Referees Committee and the Coaches Committee of Malaysia Volleyball Association (MAVA), with the support and cooperation of Majlis Sukan Negara had successfully conducted a seminar on the 28 February 2009. It was a one day seminar held at Dewan Perdana, Majlis Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
A total of 70 participants took part in the seminar whom consisted of young and senior referees and coaches in the country. They were very blessed to have Mr. Songsak Chareonpong from Thailand to explain the details of the changes and to share his experience with them. It wasn't an easy task for Mr. Songsak Chareonpong as he had to answer to many challenging questions from the floor. Nevertheless, he did not disappoint the participants. One very important message for all the participants to take home was that, FIVB's idea for the changes in the new rules is to "keep the ball flying" and to "allow the players to perform to their utmost potential." Mr. Songsak also reminded the referees that they are not 'policemen'. Their function is to assist in the game, and not be a 'star'. The 'leading actors' should be the players. At the end of the seminar, the participants were very satisfied with the explanation and sharing from him. They have very high regards for his knowledge and experience.
Mr. Songsak Chareonpong has been in the volleyball circle for a very long time, especially in the field of refereeing. He is currently a member of the Referees Commission, Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and a member of the Referees Commission, Asia Volleyball Confederation (AVC). Besides observing the performances of referees during championships throughout the world, he also serves as a FIVB instructor for aspirants international referees in the world.
During his heydays, Mr. Songsak Chareonpong was the best volleyball referee in the world. He served as a FIVB Referee for nine years (1995-2003) before he reached the compulsory age of retirement for FIVB Referees. FIVB Referees are a group of International Referees whom have been specially selected for their highest quality of refereeing. They are what we call "cream of the crop", "the best of the best" in volleyball refereeing. Currently we have only 14 FIVB Referees in the world. We sincerely hope MAVA would be able to produce at least 1 in the very near future. Achieving that status would be the dream of every volleyball referees.
MAVA would be implementing the latest Rules of the Game 2009-2012 in all its sanctioned championships beginning this year. For a copy of the latest rules you could download from http://www.fivb.org/en/volleyball/Rules/Rules.htm The Bi-lingual (English & Bahasa Malaysia) version would be made available in due time. Stay online!
For further information and clarification of the new rules, kindly contact the Referees Committee & Competition Committee of MAVA. Alternatively, you could also post your comments and enquiries here.
