Squash BC would like to congratulate Simon Bicknell for achieving his National Referee Certificate at the 2024 Canadian Junior Open! 

Over the past few seasons, Simon has greatly contributed to the growth and development of referees across BC. Simon has served as the Tournament Referee for a few Provincial Championships in BC including the 2024 BC Open! He has also represented BC at a few national tournaments including the 2023 Canada Winter Games. In addition to his amazing contributions as a referee, Simon has provided mentorship and assessments to our current referees who are looking to follow in Simon’s footsteps in achieving their National Referee Certification, and has provided various needed assessments and rules refreshers to our membership. 

We did a spotlight Q&A with Simon, to congratulate him and learn more about his journey to achieving this prestigious certification. 

Q&A With Simon

Squash BC: What inspired you to become a squash referee?

Simon: A few years (maybe 5?), Mike Johnson suggested that I might enjoy the job. I was already at quite a few of the National and International Junior events and as my kids began aging out of the junior events, I figured refereeing might keep me involved in the sport that I enjoy so much and provide an opportunity to give back to this great game.

Squash BC: Can you walk us through the process of earning your National Certification?

Simon: Well, like many aspiring referees, I had to do the online coaching course to get my CLUB designation.  After that, it was a matter of asking around who the Tournament referees were at the local events in BC and after a year, I received the LOCAL designation.  I was quite lucky when the Nationals came to Vancouver in 2022 (and Jr Nationals to Victoria), as there were many different assessors from across Canada who came and I was able to progress rapidly to the PROVINCIAL designation.  Getting the NATIONAL certification is definitely more arduous as standards are higher with appeals decision/match management and the match difficulty must also be high.  If your assigned match has all those variables, then it’s possible to get a signature.

Squash BC: What does it mean to you to achieve this milestone?

Simon: I have to say that I enjoyed the  “journey” as much as earning the designation. I have enormous respect for the junior, amateur and professional squash players and the time/commitment they put into training and competing. Meeting these athletes after, and discussing finer points of the game has been a highlight (and enhanced my learning). The mentorship and referee pathways that Squash Canada provides is top notch and I would be remiss not to thank Dave Howard who stewards this process.

Squash BC: What skills or qualities do you think are essential for being a great referee in squash?

Simon: A good question.  A calm demeanor is helpful, and an ability to think quickly but rationally is an asset.  Players expect you to make the right call all the time, which of course can be very difficult (or impossible) but achieving that fair outcome is the goal.  Squash is also relatively unique in that the referee is usually embedded with the fans (and not on the field of play) which can introduce certain dynamics so being resilient with your “Teflon jacket on” is necessary.

Squash BC: Can you share a particularly challenging match you refereed and how you handled it?

Simon: I’m not sure I can remember just one, but the most difficult matches to referee are when player movements are a problem or when time wasting becomes excessive.  As all of the professional players can attest, movement off the ball (after striking) can be varied, subtle, and sometimes intentional. By game 4 or 5, when athletes are getting tired, referees have to be attuned to movement in making access to the ball decisions. This is challenging!!

Squash BC: Do you have a favorite match or moment from your refereeing career so far?

Simon: I don’t think I have a favorite match per se that I have refereed, but when both athletes, after battling it out on the court for over an hour or more, come and thank me after – that is memorable. The one match that I didn’t referee (but watched) that was amazing involved VRC pro Shawn Delierre and Nick Sachvie in the semis at Nationals in Vancouver in 2022. That was a 2h45 min match with rain delays and Shawn took it. Epic.

Squash BC: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to follow in your footsteps?

Simon: Well, I think individualizing your expectations is key.  There is no one pathway or set number of years prescribed as we all have our regular jobs to juggle. If it’s the Provincial certification you want, that can typically be done in 3 years as BC has regular stops on the NJC (national junior circuit) and Nationals hopefully every 4 years or so which provide good opportunities for assessment. If you want the National cert, then expect at least a 4-5 year process.

Squash BC: Why should others start refereeing?

Simon: SO many reasons. As players, we all have to know the rules and if you play League, you will have to ref.  Becoming a LOCAL referee will teach you some of the finer points you may have been missing!! Refereeing this sport (which has been described as chess at 100 miles/hour) is challenging yet rewarding and the camaraderie among referees at a provincial and national level is excellent with plenty of learning opportunities.  I realize that refereeing is not for everyone, but I am determined to try and reduce any barriers to make it more accessible and fun!

Become a Referee Today 

Are you interested in becoming a Squash Canada official or joining Aussie Pie Guy Squash BC Referee Development Program? Take the Squash Canada Club Referee Certification course today through the virtual modules for just $35. Once you become a certified referee you can join the Aussie Pie Guy Referee Development Program where you will be provided with specialized rule clinics, mentorship and assessment to support you through the Squash Canada Officiating Pathway. If interested in joining the Referee Development Program contact programs@squasbc.com.