Jan Verhaas, one of snooker’s most experienced officials who has taken charge of six World Championship finals, has decided to retire from refereeing in order to focus on his roles as an assessor and tournament director.
The Dutchman first refereed on the professional tour in 1991 and has gone on to become one of the best respected officials on snooker’s international circuit. In 2003 he became the first referee from outside the UK to take charge of the World Championship final, and went on to oversee the Crucible final in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2017.
Verhaas has also refereed the Masters final eight times and the UK Championship final on four occasions, as well as many other showpiece matches around the globe.
The 58-year-old refereed at the Halo World Championship earlier this year – his last match was Pang Junxu against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the second round – and subsequently made the decision that his role would change.
For more than 15 years, Verhaas has been involved in assessing and developing younger referees both in the UK and overseas, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation. Many current officials have benefitted from his guidance, improving their ability to referee at the highest level.
He will now dedicate more time to his new role of Referee Development Manager, as well as working as a tournament director and assistant tournament director at WST events.
“After the journey I have had across 35 years it wasn’t an easy decision, but I think it’s the right one and I’m at peace with it,” said Verhaas. “I am looking forward to the future ahead and looking back at the past with great memories.
“I will still be developing and assessing referees all over the world, working alongside the other assessors. It gives me enormous pride to help the younger referees to come through the ranks.”
Asked to name his favourite memory, he added: “My first world final in 2003 was a dream come true, that’s the same for any referee. It was nerve racking but I look back on that as a real achievement. It has been a fantastic career, I loved the big occasions and the big finals.”
WPBSA Chairman and WST Director Jason Ferguson said: “We congratulate Jan on an outstanding career as a referee and we look forward to continuing to work with him on the tour, hopefully for many years to come.”
Article by WST.
The post Legendary Referee Jan Verhaas Puts Away Gloves appeared first on WPBSA.
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The Dutchman first refereed on the professional tour in 1991 and has gone on to become one of the best respected officials on snooker’s international circuit. In 2003 he became the first referee from outside the UK to take charge of the World Championship final, and went on to oversee the Crucible final in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2017.
Verhaas has also refereed the Masters final eight times and the UK Championship final on four occasions, as well as many other showpiece matches around the globe.
The 58-year-old refereed at the Halo World Championship earlier this year – his last match was Pang Junxu against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the second round – and subsequently made the decision that his role would change.
For more than 15 years, Verhaas has been involved in assessing and developing younger referees both in the UK and overseas, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation. Many current officials have benefitted from his guidance, improving their ability to referee at the highest level.
He will now dedicate more time to his new role of Referee Development Manager, as well as working as a tournament director and assistant tournament director at WST events.
“After the journey I have had across 35 years it wasn’t an easy decision, but I think it’s the right one and I’m at peace with it,” said Verhaas. “I am looking forward to the future ahead and looking back at the past with great memories.
“I will still be developing and assessing referees all over the world, working alongside the other assessors. It gives me enormous pride to help the younger referees to come through the ranks.”
Asked to name his favourite memory, he added: “My first world final in 2003 was a dream come true, that’s the same for any referee. It was nerve racking but I look back on that as a real achievement. It has been a fantastic career, I loved the big occasions and the big finals.”
WPBSA Chairman and WST Director Jason Ferguson said: “We congratulate Jan on an outstanding career as a referee and we look forward to continuing to work with him on the tour, hopefully for many years to come.”
Article by WST.
The post Legendary Referee Jan Verhaas Puts Away Gloves appeared first on WPBSA.
Continue reading...
