RULES
The most recent edition of the rules was published by the World Gateball Union in 2019. A Q & A Guide is also available for these rules.
A summary of fouls and their consequences can be downloaded here in landscape or portrait view. This simple summary of the rules has been produced by John Swabey of the European Gateball League
If you have queries about the rules, there is a Q&A forum where you can ask questions or answer those from other people. Click here for the Q&A forum
BECOMING A REFEREE AND MAINTAINING ACCREDITATION
ACA Gateball Referees can attain accreditation to three levels:
International |
Accredited by the World Gateball Union – allows the referee to examine candidates for Level 1 accreditation |
Level 1 |
Senior level – allows the referee to examine candidates for Level 2 accreditation |
Level 2 |
Basic accreditation |
A summary of the steps to become a referee or being accredited at a higher level are available here
These steps are all part of Gateball Australia’s procedure for referee accreditation and reaccreditation and are available for download. This document parallels the ACA’s processes for referee accreditation and reaccreditation for all codes. In turn, this process is compliant with requirements of the Australian Sports Commission/Sports Australia.
Players who wish to become a Gateball Referee are expected to undertake courses:
A requirement of the ACA and Sports Australia is to complete the online Community Officiating General Principles online course.
More specific courses about the rules and practical refereeing are sometimes available through State Coordinators. An online version is also available. Anthony Dask, a Victorian Gateballer, has produced many hours of videos which are available through Youtube. These take players through the different sections of the rule books and also refer to sections of the Q&A book. These links take you directly to topics that correspond with the rule book:
Intro to GB The Court Equipment Team, Managers and Players
Preparing for the Game How to Play the Game Winning and Losing
Play and Rights as a Stroker Effective Plays and Ineffective Plays
Movement of the Ball Stroking Passing the Gate Finishing (Agari)
Touch Spark In-Ball and Out_Ball Ball Touch Foul Play Interference
Referee Time Exchange of Equipment Interruption of the Game
Those who would like to have a copy of workbook to complete in conjunction with the rule book or the videos should email info@gateball.com.au to ask for one.
Referees also need to be aware of the Guide for Referees This document is published with the Rules and describes other topics of importance when carrying out the role of an official. It describes hand signals, the role and positioning for referees and other officials. Two more of anthony’s videos are useful here: Referee Calls and Referee Positioning. Two Korean videos usefully outline hand signals and procedures that officials are expected to follow at the beginning and end of a game
Referees are also asked to acknowledge their acceptance of the ACA Officials’ Code of Behaviour. The source of this document is the ACA member protection policy which is available through the ACA website
All qualified referees are expected to complete an annual reaccreditation card. Click here for a current annual reaccreditation card. Print the pages back to back to obtain 3 cards. Existing referees need to complete these every year to maintain their currency. When they have been completed, they should be passed to state coordinators of refereeing.
CURRENT REFEREES
The following lists of referees are provided to Gateball Australia by State Coordinators or State Coordinators of Refereeing. If there are any errors please contact your relevant state personnel.
Referees become “inactive ” if they have not completed reaccreditation processes. Contact your relevant state personnel if you wish to become active again.
QLD – State Director of Gateball Refereeing, Margaret Barnard
International: Margaret Barnard, Bruce McAlister, Keith McLeod, Glenda Windust
Level 1: Ros Crowe, Keith Chur-Hansen, Barbara Northcott, Jim Northcott,
Level 2: Lyn Christiansen, Warren Douse, Lynne Farry, Jill Gwynne, Kathleen Hayes, Margaret Dickenson, Mary Jones, Cheryl Kele, Emma Mauceri, Brian Mullins, Sandra Reynolds, Robert Roose,, Max Stringer, Julia Tai, Mary-Ann Waters, Tony Waters, Frances Wregg and Julia Vickers.
Inactive: John Angus, May Feddersen, Greg Fetherstone, Ethel Hughes, Philip Rowland, John Turner, Beryl Turner.
VIC – State Coordinator, Philip Brown.
International: Gilon Smith
Level 1: Philip Brown
Level 2: Tim Stagg, Anthony Dask.
Inactive: Catherine Doherty, Chris Langford, Sue Leitinger,
NSW & ACT- State Coordinator, Judy Tier
International:
Level 1: Manuel Gutierrez, Glen Whitehead
Level 2: Helen Chalmers, Andrew Davies, Adrienne Fazekas, Peter Freer, Glenda Gutierrez, Robyn Hayes, John Park, Penny Park, Judy Squelch, Kerrie Sutherland,
Inactive: Claus Jehne,
South Australia
Level 1: Geoff Crook
Western Australia
No qualified referees.
GATEBALL AUSTRALIA REFEREE COMMITTEE: ADVICE, CLARIFICATIONS AND USEFUL INFORMATION
Rules for Singles, Doubles and Triples
Gateball Australia has agreed the following rules for playing with less than five members on each team.
- Rules for singles matches played in Australia.
- Rules for gateball doubles matches played in Australia.
- Rules for triples matches played in Australia.
Clubs often vary these in the special circumstances for their own club based competitions.
Pointing with a stick and disagreeing with a referee
Gateball Australia has clarified these two issues after some discussion in late 2020. See Gateball Information Pamphlets: Indicating where to stroke or spark a ball and Disagreeing with a referee decision.
Forfeiting Games
If a team forfeits a game, then Gateball Australia accepts the following process. Tournament referees and managers may adopt an alternative provided participants are advised of this before a tournament begins.
Record Sheet for recording the progress of games can be found here
Tournament Referee A description of the role of a Tournament referee is available from this link
Setting courts accurately Court dimensions are to be found in the rules, but great care needs to be taken when setting courts for competitions. The two links below assist with accurate court setting.
Gatesetter. Instructions on how to make and use a gatesetter and a plan with the required dimensions is available here.
Jamberoo’s system for accurately painting court lines was posted as a news item on this website and is available here
Deciding the winner when the points are tied A handy information pamphlet is also available for download: Deciding the winner when points are tied