Winter Referee Seminar Held as Part of Erasmus Sport Project! Slovak Official Martin Bogáň Among the Speakers
On Saturday, February 1, Prague’s Strahov Conference Hall hosted the Winter Referee Seminar, an event organized within the Erasmus Sport project. The seminar welcomed top Czech referees from across the country and featured a guest speaker—Slovak Extraliga referee Martin Bogáň.
Erasmus Sport Strengthens Czech-Slovak Refereeing Cooperation
The one-day seminar attracted referees officiating at the highest levels of Czech hokejbal. The event began in the morning, with Referee Commission Chairman Jaroslav Pikula opening the program. Throughout the day, several key figures presented updates:
- Josef Kadaně (Competition Department)
- Jan Fedák (League Commission)
- Martin Motyčka (Delegate Commission)
After the final break, Chairman Pikula returned to lead a discussion alongside Slovak referee Martin Bogáň, whose presentation focused on the unique characteristics of Czech and Slovak competitions. The seminar also included a theoretical examination for referees, who were tested on:
- Rules & Regulations
- League Policies
- Scorekeeping Procedures
The event was part of the Erasmus Sport project, which fosters collaboration between Czech and Slovak referees and coaches. According to Pikula, the initiative has been invaluable in strengthening ties between the Czech Ball Hockey Association (ČMSHb) and the Slovak Ball Hockey Union (SHBU):
“This is an excellent opportunity to deepen the relationship between Czech and Slovak ball hockey. It provides a platform for exchanging knowledge, developing educational materials, and enhancing our refereeing standards. It’s a win-win situation for officials in both countries.”
Pikula himself was a guest speaker at a Slovak seminar in late January, and a week later, Bogáň attended the Czech event in Prague.
Slovak Refereeing Insights and the Value of Czech Collaboration
Czech referees gained valuable insight into officiating in Slovakia, where the number of active referees is lower and referee assignments follow different procedures.
“For us, Slovak referees, this cooperation is incredibly beneficial. Every year, Jaroslav Pikula conducts training at our seminars, sharing his expertise. Czech referees are among the best in the world, so learning from them through Erasmus Sport is a huge advantage for us,” said Martin Bogáň.
Bogáň is no stranger to Czech ball hockey. He officiated at the 2023 Junior World Championship in Liberec and was also a referee at the Czech-Slovak Super Cup last year.
“Every opportunity to collaborate and exchange knowledge with Czech officials elevates our game. The experience I’ve gained from Czech tournaments and seminars has been incredibly valuable,” Bogáň added.
A Milestone for Czech and Slovak Ball Hockey Refereeing
The Winter Referee Seminar marked another successful chapter in the ongoing Czech-Slovak collaboration within the Erasmus Sport project. With continued joint training and knowledge-sharing, referees from both nations will continue to refine their skills and uphold the highest officiating standards in international ball hockey.
