With the goal of strengthening international refereeing, the International Handball Federation (IHF) continues to expand its Advanced Referee Training Program (ARTP) across the European continent. This initiative, focused on the professional and technical development of elite referees and young prospects, is becoming a key tool to raise the quality of officiating in the most demanding competitions in world handball.

The program not only promotes excellence through theory and practice, but also offers immersive experiences. Non-European referees and candidates for IHF certification spend at least two weeks in different countries on the continent, officiating high-level matches and receiving personalized mentorship. In this context, the IHF aims to ensure its officials are prepared to make decisions under pressure and adapt to the evolving dynamics of the modern game.

New sessions and federations involved in the ARTP

The ARTP has received a positive response in Europe: five national federations, along with the European Handball Federation, have expressed interest in participating in 2025. In total, seven sessions have been scheduled for the coming months, with the first two coinciding with the EHF Under-17 and Under-19 Women’s European Championships in Montenegro. There, the presence of referee pairs Roua and Sahar Haggui (Tunisia), and Bruna and Renata Correa (Brazil), will stand out, representing non-European countries.

Subsequently, five more sessions will be held in the fall within top-tier European leagues, with details being coordinated with the respective national federations. Each session will be supervised by experts from the IHF’s Playing Rules and Referees Commission (PRC), under the leadership of Per Morten Sødal. With this strong and expanding structure, the program reaffirms the IHF’s commitment to the professionalization and sustained development of global officiating.