As part of a new initiative, the ETTU Umpires and Referees Committee hosted a webinar dedicated to social media conduct for match officials, drawing significant interest from across the community.
With the visibility of table tennis continuing to grow, so too does the exposure of umpires and referees. The landscape has changed considerably compared to 10 or 15 years ago, making it increasingly important to address how officials engage with social media. The webinar therefore focused on sharing experiences, as well as providing practical guidance and best practices.
Kerstin DUCHATZ, Mark BECKMANN and Mircea STEFF offered valuable insights, discussing the challenges officials face online. Particular attention was given to the nature of social media interactions, where comments can often be more extreme than in face-to-face situations. The speakers also presented strategies for handling such situations in a professional and composed manner.
Clear recommendations were outlined, including key do’s and don’ts. Participants were advised to avoid engaging with posts, whether by commenting, liking, or disliking and to refrain from any social media activity during tournaments.
The webinar gathered more than 80 participants, generating active discussion and a wide range of questions, all of which were addressed during the session.
