Page 17 - Judge Manual 2017

Officials at events with junior sailors should be aware of ethical issues in sport.
Of particular concern are doping, child abuse, spectator violence, sexual
assault and misconduct, lack of respect for race officials and other competitors,
and undue parental pressure on young children.

Judges should be aware of any policies that a class may have with regard to
protest procedures.

D.2 Definition of Junior Sailors

The racing rules do not prescribe any age breakdown of sailors. However,
certain class associations prescribe age groups for racing and protest
procedures, based on the traditions and policies of their class.

For the purpose of this section, it is considered that junior sailors are generally
aged from about 9 to 18 years old, though some classes include competitors
aged 19.

Judges need to adapt their communication styles to the individual behavior of
junior sailors. Since chronological age may be a poor indicator of maturity, an
age-dependent approach may not be good developmental practice. A more
appropriate approach is to consider maturity in terms of readiness. Readiness
assumes that certain conditions and/or experiences have been accumulated
that allow the young person to learn new skills and take in new information. A
child or young person’s readiness will depend on his/her:
• physical readiness, e.g., mastery of fundamental movement skill, growth;
• social readiness, e.g., sense of self, support and encouragement from
parents and friends;
• motivational readiness, e.g., expressing a desire to participate and/or
learn and;
• cognitive readiness, e.g., ability to understand instruction, rules or tactics,
in a relevant language.

D.3 Judges’ Role at Junior Regattas

Judges have a significant role to play in ensuring the fairness of the competition
and maintaining the confidence of the sailors, coaches and support teams.

Judges should take steps to not only administer the rules but also to assist the
sailors and their coaches by interpreting the rules. This approach could
contribute to the participants' enjoyment of the sport.

There is need for sensitivity in setting the behavioural expectations for a junior
regatta. It is important that sailors of all ages should be respected as individuals,
and not patronized.

Decisions and actions by judges can reinforce good behavior on and off the
water, and the need to take a penalty after knowingly infringing a rule.