International Classifier Conference, Bangkok 2013

Various topics will be raised for discussion. The conference also gives classifiers the opportunity to raise issues that are of interest to them. This is also the venue where all coaches, team leaders and national association can raise any concerns that they have about classification through their attending classifiers.

It is also a good opportunity to understand the process of decision making, of knowing how issues are discussed, debated and finally decided. It is also a chance for the classifiers to understand the various wider issues that are involved with each decision. It is through this conference that you can have a deeper understanding of each decision and how it can affect the sports, the archers, the judges and the administration.

As doctors and physiotherapists, we are expected to attend regular training seminars/workshops to maintain our professional expertise. Similarly as classifiers, we need to attend conferences to be updated on any changes to the rules, to be aware about the common errors during classification as well as to improve our handling skills and observation skills.

We will be privileged to have Clare DOYLE who is a PhD student in balance to share with us about balance testing. She is looking into the unique balance skills that are required in para-archery and will formulate a specially designed balance test that we could incorporate into our classification method after the Rio Paralympic. Please come and listen to her presentation and share your views with her. And if you are keen, this is also a great opportunity to discuss about a possible joint research or collaboration work with her and develop the new frontier in our classification for the future.

This conference is also special because it will be led by the new Head of Classification Mr PANG Kim Fong. Ms Pauline BETTERIDGE had led the classification panel for the last 12 good years before stepping aside to be the advisor to the classification panel. PANG will be sharing his vision for the coming years and will spearhead a few major changes, including the revised classification rules. This will be a good opportunity to come and get to know him better and share with him your views and how you like our classification to evolve in the coming years.

Are there any areas of concern that you feel could be better managed or new ways of getting things done, please do not hesitate to email PANG Kim Fong at physiop@yahoo.com and then come to the conference to tell us more about your suggestion. It will be an enriching experience for all. Please write to him too if you cannot come for the conference but have great ideas to share. He will be pleased to share with the rest of the classifiers.

So please write to Raheleh AHADPOUR at rahadpour@archery.org and tell her you will be coming for the conference, she will be glad to arrange the airport transfer and hotel accommodation, with food thrown in for you. The closing date for registration is 25 September 2013.

Looking forward to seeing you in Bangkok!

World Archery Classification Committee