The 2025 Perth International Open not only showcased incredible judo on the mat, but also milestones in the development of our referees. One of the standout stories of the weekend was the promotion of Clement Chan from UWA Judo Club, one of Western Australia’s emerging referees.

Clement began the day officiating as a State B referee, which limited him to refereeing divisions up to and including the Under 15s. However, during the early rounds of competition, his performance was closely assessed by Judo Australia Referee Committee Chair, Deepali Mistry, and Judo WA Referee Committee Chair, Robert Tichelaar. Following their evaluation, Clement was awarded his State A licence mid-event — a significant step forward in his refereeing journey.

With his new accreditation, Clement was immediately permitted to referee the Cadet, Junior, and Senior Men and Women divisions throughout the remainder of the competition. This promotion also means Clement is now eligible to referee at interstate International Open events within Judo Australia’s National Event Series, where he may in time be assessed for promotion to his National C licence.

This achievement highlights that refereeing is a vital pathway within judo. Without referees, there can be no competition. Just as athletes progress through the ranks, referees too follow a structured pathway, developing their skills, deepening their understanding of the sport, and contributing to the smooth running of events at all levels.

For those interested in taking their first step on this rewarding pathway, Judo WA strongly encourages members to get involved in our Green Shirt Beginner Referee Program. This initiative is designed to provide new referees with the skills, confidence, and support needed to begin officiating. More information is available here: Green Shirt Beginner Referee Program .

Congratulations to Clement on his promotion, and thank you to all referees who continue to give their time and expertise to ensure the sport of judo thrives in Western Australia.