In addition to the extensive training and three year onboarding program for new cadets, the accreditation program requires each member to have a minimum number of hours of practical Adjudicating experience each year, combined with theoretical & practical learning through seminars and attendance at meetings where an Adjudicator's knowledge is continually updated.

Members from the ASCA Vic Branch are not only invited to adjudicate at Melbourne metropolitan, regional and country Victorian competitions, but also interstate. Adjudicators distribute their practical adjudicating hours across a broad range of divisions and age groups, including both teamwork and solo/duo competitions.

Seminar topics are extensive and are determined on a three year accreditation cycle. Examples of theoretical seminars include anatomy & body mechanics, self reflection skills, public speaking and ballet/dance theory. Practical seminars include consensus moderation activities where Adjudicators work in pairs to adjudicate items and then compare marks across the group to assist in the uniformity of assessment across all items.

As part of the accreditation cycle, members are required to present a verbal report to their peers at the end of their 6^th & 9^th year of adjudicating, sharing their developmental gains and experiences during their tenure as an adjudicator.

Following the 12^th year of membership, members may undertake a research paper on a topic relevant to the advancement of Calisthenics and/or Adjudicating skills. This research paper is presented as a verbal report to the ASCA Victorian Branch members. A written presentation is provided to the AAB, other State ASCA branches and the ACF, and stored in the library as a source of future reference material.

CADET PROGRAM

To enable acceptance into the Cadet program, interested candidates must submit a Calisthenic resume, and pass an entrance exam and interview. It is a prerequisite that applicants have been a registered calisthenics Coach with an approved standard competitive class as accepted by the Committee and have taught a broad range of age groups.

Once accepted into the program, Cadets can expect three years of intensive training. The training program covers a range of activities aligned to the required skill sets of qualified Adjudicators. An explanation of each type of training activity is given below. Each of these activities has a prescribed minimum requirement to enable progress through the Cadet course. Cadets must also undertake significant home study and submit self assessment reports throughout the program.

At the end of the 3^rd year, the cadet is required to sit a further written exam and final interview. Following this, cadets present a verbal report to the ASCA branch at the Annual General Meeting which highlights their progression and personal development through the course.

Cadets continually comment on the thoroughness of the training program and the confidence they have gained to perform as a qualified Adjudicator at the end of their training time. The camaraderie of the adjudicators and the willingness of all adjudicators to assist Cadets is a critical component of the success of the training process.

Explanation of Training methods in Cadet program
Video Sessions involve viewing 4 - 5 sets of work, where each cadet brings a writer and adjudicates the sections, writing critiques and giving marks to each set viewed. They are then discussed as a group. There are experienced adjudicators on hand to give advice and assist with phrasing if required.

Writing involves writing for adjudicators at competitions. This is an important aspect where Cadets learn correct competition procedures as well as essential features of critique writing.

Observing is when a Cadet attends a competition and sits either beside an experienced adjudicator and the writer or with another experienced adjudicator away from the audience. The Cadet listens to the experienced adjudicator and gets a feel for the speed at which an adjudicator is required to work. Often they will take along their own mark-up sheet for discussion purposes at the end of the section. Questions can be asked and answered without the pressure of writing a critique.

Timing involves working with an experienced timer at competitions to enable the cadet's understanding of the requirements of a timer from firsthand experience. They are involved in all aspects of this position.

Shadow sessions are a very important aspect of adjudicator training. This is where the 2nd and 3rd year cadet attends a competition with her writer whilst an experienced adjudicator is adjudicating. The Cadet adjudicates the competition without discussion with the appointed adjudicator. The appointed adjudicator takes copies of her own critiques and at the completion of the competition, a lengthy discussion takes place with the Cadet at a mutually agreed time to discuss in depth the Cadet's critiques and results, one on one.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

The ASCA has produced a distance education program for those who wish to become adjudicators while living in geographical remote areas or states without an ASCA branch. This program has been developed through the AAB and includes many of the same activities as the regular Cadet program.

HOW TO APPLY TO BECOME AN ADJUDICATOR

To become an adjudicator, you are required to complete an application form. The form requires you to list all calisthenics training, coaching experience, workshops and seminars attended, relevant adjudicating experience (i.e. timing, writing) and any other qualifications that are relevant to calisthenics (i.e. dance experience, gymnastics, theatre, university courses, TAFE courses, etc).

All candidates are to be well rounded in calisthenics and must show progression and variety of coaching experience through the divisions, age groups or regions.

After applying, this application is discussed at committee level. If all requirements are met, the candidate will be interviewed and will sit an entrance exam.

At all times applications are considered on an individual basis.

Please call CVI (9562 6011) for further information regarding becoming a Cadet Adjudicator. CVI will give you the Cadet Coordinator's contact details so that you can discuss any concerns and receive all information that will assist you with your application. The cut-off date for applications is the 31st August for entry in the following year.

CLUBLINK

ASCA has a section in both the CVI Clublink (Judge's Journal) and the VCCA Newsletter to promote understanding and communication with the wider calisthenic community.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

When you are in the midst of competitions, you may like to remember that the adjudicator is not just a person who arrives to give a critique of work; but someone like yourself who devotes a lot of time to calisthenics. Many adjudicators are on various committees and work very hard to represent ASCA. Some of these committees are the Adjudicators Advisory Board (AAB), CVI Board of Management, CVI Competition Committee, Australian Calisthenic Federation Committee of Management. Some adjudicators are also Levels Examiners, Cadet and Coach Course Presenters.
An interesting part of our history, highlighting the professional expertise of one of these ladies, is in the establishment of the Accreditation Program.
Brenda Green worked with the then National Officiating Program, (or NOP for short), gaining deserved recognition of Calisthenic Adjudicators. Brenda is the recipient of the Eunice Gill Award (2003), in recognition of outstanding service to the Australian Calisthenic Federation. The Eunice Gill award is dedicated to Ms Gill in living memory of her extensive contribution to Australian Sport and the Confederation of Australian Sport, (now trading as Sport Industry Australia). The category for Brenda's section is "for special contribution over a period of time to a member in an honorary capacity". The citation on Brenda's award reads, "in recognition of outstanding service to the Australian Calisthenic Federation." Three awards were presented in that year, the other two were for Rugby League International and Yachting Australia.

A few facts of interest:

1. Calisthenics Adjudicators were represented at every conference from 1993 - 2000 organised by the NOP.
2. From 1995 - 2000 an adjudicator was awarded the National Officiating Program Official of the Year. Brenda Green presented a paper on Calisthenics at the Adjudicators Accreditation Program at the International Coaches and Officiators Conference in Brisbane in 1996.
3. Calisthenics was the first female sport to be accepted into the inaugural National Officiators Accreditation Scheme along with the AFL and international sports of Men's Ice Hockey, Basketball, Gymnastics and Rugby Union.
4. Our Risk Management Program has been promoted at the Australian Sports Commission as a model of best practice and has been used by other sports in establishing their own program.

CRITERIA FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP
The ASCA awards Life Membership to the Society under the following guidelines:

1. Providing an outstanding contribution to the A.S.C.A.
2. Strong involvement at meetings, seminars, conferences and with Cadets
3. Maintaining accreditation and constantly updating and improving adjudicating knowledge
4. Adjudicating a variety of sections and divisions - locally, in the country and interstate
5. Taking on leadership responsibilities e.g. Cadets, Executive, Sub-Committee
6. Promoting the A.S.C.A. and Calisthenics in general, to the wider community

A.S.C.A. Vic. BRANCH LIFE MEMBERS

Betty Corrigan, Margaret Lingham, Sue Hayes, Joan Lloyd,
Brenda Green, Barbara Nickless, Elaine Smith, Janice Unsworth,
Barbara Evans, Judy Currie, Margaret Whelan.