3-Cushion
KLARENBEEK - His towering presence at the table is one of the things that make Willem Hofman (Kozoom moniker 'Big Willem') someone that is noticed. His outspokenness adds to that. He's a wonderful and versatile referee, with the ambition to use his skills abroad. In short: he is a remarkable billiard personality.
Kozoom spoke with him, shortly before he embarks on an adventure. Willem Hofman was asked to referee during the World Cup in Luxor, and he's rightly proud of that.
An interview with 'Big Willem'
Passport:
Residence: Klarenbeek
Age: 51 years old
Occupation: Warehouse employee Nefit/Bosch
Married: Registered partnership
Children: No
Frits Bakker: How long have you been in the billiard world, as player and referee?
Willem Hofman: ,,I got my first steady job in 1988, and after my evening shift I passed a bar where we sometimes went for a drink. The place had a team in the league, and it kind of appealed to me. I joined the club, and started to play.''
,,About a year later, we visited 't Centrum/Karel Lassche in the Schurenstraat in Deventer, where Gerrit Boer was playing billiards. That was interesting to me, because they played this special game called balkline.''
,,I went back regularly to watch, and at some point Gerrit Boer asked me if I wanted to learn more, and my answer was a heartfelt 'yes'. One thing led to another, and I familiarized myself with the rules. It got me in contact with Michel van Silfhout and other players. One day I was in the room and none other than Hans Vultink came by to practice with Boer. They asked me to ref, so I could get some practice.''
,,That was my introduction to the Dutch top, and soon after - I had graduated as district referee in 1990 - I was at the table for the Top Team competition, refereeing for Piet Adrichem, Freek Ottenhof and others of that caliber.''
FB: What was your career path as a referee?
WH: ,,After I had become a district ref, I proceed to get my regional qualification in 1993. That tasted like more as well, so I enrolled for the national class. Three years later I finished that course, which was taught at the federation HQ by Ted Evers and Janneke Horneman. I took the exams in 3-cushion and the classic disciplines, and became candidate national referee.''
,,Refereeing entered a different dimension there, because your performances were scrutinized and you had to show your skills at all times. Evaluations and national finals were frequent, as much as seven in a season, but I never forgot that refereeing had to be done on the district- and regional level as well, and in the balkline- and top team leagues.''
,,My many evaluations from 1997 to 2000 were reason for the committee to make me eligible for promotion to CEB referee, which was made official by the CEB in 2001. Many tournaments and years later, the KNBB has selected Hans Berkhout, Rob Esser and myself for promotion to UMB referee. Hans and I were appointed in 2012. Rob Esser was rejected, apparently because he was too old.''
,,During the matches in Haarlo for the Coupe d'Europe, the championship for club teams, we were surprised by Bennie Deegens, who on behalf of the KNBB officially presented us with the badge. In addition to my refereeing, I was the coordinator for my district from 1994 to 1998, and then chairman of the referee's committee until 2002. I was promoted when I took over from Ted Evers as secretary of the referee's committee for the KNBB, a job I handed to Rob Esser in 2009. I proceeded as national coordinator for the classic disciplines.''
FB: How can the Dutch corps be separated into World- European- and national referees?
WH: ,,At this point in time, we have a core group of 27 refs, three of them UMB, four CEB and twenty national. Some of them are also licensed artistic referee, one CEB, three national and two candidate national artistic referee. Eight regional refs are currently being trained for national referee, but only four will proceed to take the exam.''
FB: What is required of a ref to wear the European or world badge? Know all the disciplines, being able to ref everything, including artistic?
WH: ,,To become UMB referee, you must follow the entire path. These days, you start off as club ref, then district, then regional, then national, then European, and finally UMB.''
,,In the Netherlands, we have three types of refs, classic disciplines + 3-cushion, artistic refs, and refs exclusively for 3-cushion, appointed by the Section 3-cushion. Only the first two have completed an actual training program.''
,,It must also be said that you can't rely on just being an outstanding referee. We are expected to make ourselves useful for the sport in general as well, to manage and help out, be a part of the committees and organizations on all levels within the KNBB. So, it is not just the refereeing which will bring you to the UMB status.''
FB: How often in a season do we find you at the table, and where?
WH: ,,For me, I can't keep track. I can always be found at finals and qualifications in our district, but also in the balkline league, the top team league and the 3-cushion league. Then there are the national finals and the European tournaments, if they take place in the Netherlands. Outside of these holidays, I think some 25 weekends are billiard-related for me.''
FB: Who is in charge of appointing referees for tournaments like National finals, or World Cups, such as the ones that were held in Sluiskil?
WH: ,,That is my responsibility, when it comes to national and European tournaments, because I am the national referees coordinator. As a member of the Referees Committee, the Committee Sports Affairs Carom asks me to appoint refs for scheduled tournaments.''
,,What I do for the Carom Section, Eric van Thiel does for the 3-cushion Section. He is responsible for the Masters and the Cup Final. For that last event, 4 refs come from the Section 3-cushion and 4 come from the Zundert organization. For the Ladies national Final and the Grand Prix's, the local organizations do the coordination (Amsterdam, Rosmalen, Oosterhout and Capelle).''
FB: How infatuated with this game must you be, to stand at the table for hours that often?
WH: ,,I can't imagine anything better than to have the best place in the house, and watch these players demonstrate their technical wizardry. You are up close, so you can really learn about the way certain problems are solved and you can try it out for yourself later, and improve your game.''
,,I say 'you can', because you have to work at it, of course. I am currently not active as a player, because I can't combine it with my work. And I have to say, I admire the spectators, because sitting in the audience for hours is more exhausting than refereeing.''
FB: What is the secret to good refereeing? Must you have sharp eyes and a good concentration, but also a vast knowledge of the game? Is it an advantage to be a strong player yourself, or to have been one?
WH: ,,It is mostly about being in the moment, being alert and focused. What you can only add to that by experience, is the ability to anticipate, by recognizing patterns and players' intentions. It is certainly important to know these players individually. Some like to have you next to them, others need more space. And don't forget the audience behind you, and camera's to record the action. You must always make sure that you don't obstruct a view of the action on the table.''
,,It can be an advantage if you are a good player, but it is not a prerequisite. In general, the best referees are not often very good players, and vice-versa.''
FB: What were the finest tournaments you have refereed in, so far?
WH: ,,Too many to mention, really. A few highlights: the 18 EC's played simultaneously in Brandenburg last year, the Grand Dutch, the one-cushion Nationals in Rosmalen this year, and the 1st class 3-cushion.''
,,A few tournaments abroad were splendid as well: the Minolta Cup in Brno, Czech Republic, and the Peter Candido tournament. Its 20th edition, in the South of France, was a story all by itself.''
,,It was an initiative by Eddy Geurtsen, to have players such as Willem Ooteman, Johan van Zadelhoff, Henk Vos, Theo Zwarthoed) and referees (amongst those Hans Berkhout and myself) drive to Lunas (F), about 40 km north of Montpellier. We set up tables ourselves, in a picturesque little castle, decorated the room, played a tournament and had a lot of fun together. The billiards were brought from Friesland by Geert Popma, in a large van with a trailer.''
FB: Will you be going to the World Cup in Luxor, Egypt?
WH: ,,Yes, when I was at the Multi's in Blankenberge, to my amazement I was asked if I wanted to go and referee in Luxor. We will be with a group: three Belgians and two Germans who have also refereed in Brandenburg, and with whom we have established good relations.''
,,I have not even hesitated, just said I'd be honored to get invited. As soon as the details were clear, I have agreed to do it.''
FB: How do you feel about the exchange of referees in international tournaments?
WH: ,,When I was in Blankenberge, I have tested the waters about that with a few Belgian colleagues, and we played around with the idea. I am positive about it, and it is not difficult to do. The only thing is, there is a financial side to the story.''
,,I think I know exactly what I want with it, but who to turn to, and what are the odds it will work? I am still mulling that over.''
FB: How long can one be an international referee?
WH: ,,As far as we know, international refs can be invited for CEB and UMB events until they are 70 years old, as the specific CEB and UMB rules say.''
FB: Where do the best referees in the world come from?
WH: ,,That is hard to say, because I can't pass judgment on all of the international quality. From my experiences abroad though, amongst those Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Czech republic and Belgium, I think that the best from our core group, along with a number of Belgians and Germans, maybe one or two French men or women, form a European corps of excellence that is ready for every challenge. I know some Egyptians are very good as well.''