Badminton ref is smashing it

IN the sports pages of any newspaper, athlete achievements are often the most prominent.

But behind the scenes, volunteers, officials, and referees are playing a key role in ensuring those success stories can happen.

Ballarat Badminton Association secretary Sandra David has just become an Oceania certificated referee, and is one of these stalwarts who is serving, and smashing it, behind the scenes.

“I’m qualified to be an overall supervisor of whole tournaments,” she said.

“The umpires manage on-court, and if there are any problems, I can adjudicate there. I’m also responsible for making sure the draws and scheduling are correct, and that the venues are right.”

Ms David became involved with badminton to “give back” when her children were playing, and she never left.

Initially a state referee, she progressed through two national levels, before becoming Oceania certificated.

As a former world-qualified line judge, Ms David has been an Olympic official and was part of the Rio 2016 games.

“It’s so much fun being involved, and that’s the main thing,” she said. “You meet so many beautiful people everywhere. I have a lot to do with international players that come in.

“I’ve got friends all over the world, but now I’m Oceania certificated, I mainly work in those Oceanic countries like Fiji, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Guam, the Marianas, Australia, and New Zealand.

“I enjoy the friendship most.”

But Ms David has not only taken a step up in her career as an official, as recently she was named Ballarat Administrator of the Year at a local awards night celebrating sportswomen across the city.

She wears various hats, not only as BBA secretary but the chair of Badminton Australia’s Court Officials Committee.

A statement from the BBA said Ms David is a “staunch advocate” for the sport, which is played by about 400,000 people across the country.

“Sandy continues to do herself and us very proud,” the statement said.

Ms David said she feels responsible to get more young people involved in umpiring and refereeing to set the sport up strongly for future generations.

“We can’t have a tournament without them, and if we can’t share all the knowledge we’re building, the processes will be lost,” she said.

Her next refereeing opportunity is to lead two tournaments in the Northern Mariana Islands.