From Canada
Set for participation in World Championships About 80 persons, mostly elderly
of Japanese descent, participate in playing rules and refereeing course
The Canada GB Union is made up of about 80 members from 4 groups from around Vancouver.
It has been decided that 4 teams will participate in the World Championships which
will take place in October this year. As a result, the Union invited two officials
from Japan GB Union and held a course on game rules and refereeing.
The course, held on June 29 in Richmond near Vancouver, followed a question and
answer format and a gesture practice session. Because there is little refereeing
done at practice games, the following comment was often heard, “We have realized
again how important refereeing is.” On the 30th a Level 2 examination format
was used with actual game practice. Since this was the first time for many, there
was some hesitation. However, with the exception of the one elderly member everyone
took part in the refereeing,assistant-refereeing and record-keeping course. On
July 1, the venue was changed to Vancouver where a session using game practice,
as the day before, was held. This completed the course.
GB entered Canada about 18 years ago. It got it's start when Japanese went to
Canada to sell equipment to those of Japanese descent. After that, the present
President, Ms. Kay Fujishima set up the Union and registered it with the government.
“Next year the Union will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its foundation. In
around August, plans are being made for Japanese teams to be invited to a memorial
exchange event. Actually, there are GB devotees of Japanese descent in Toronto.
However, because of the great distance involved, their membership in the Union
has not been realized. Though there are many and difficult problems, we hope to
spread GB to other regions.” (President Fukushima) |
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Vancouver is located in southwest Canada and is blessed with abundant nature
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Almost all of the 80 members of the Union participated in the 3-day course |
Level 2 examination format game instruction on an outdoor court
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54 members participated in the first day of the course in Richmond |
18 members participate on the last day in Vancouver |
Nearly all of the Canadian Union members are of Japanese descent
with an average age of 73; (youngest 55, eldest 92). |
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