This idea is not new and has already taken shape in the form of the EUROREFs.
They marshal all the major events in Europe and the rest of the world. So why try to set up a new thing when we already have got "ProRefs"?
Ulrich Staehr is in charge of it and for the UK Jabba is point of contact. They train you up and certify you as Marshal after you past the test.
You get your expenses plus a day rate paid. Once again we try to do too many things with too many different people!
With the EuroRefs you already got an international body in place.
You know a little information coupled with a poor understanding of the proposition can make some people look stupid.
The idea as you say is not new at all, its the same one I had when I proposed the pro-refs (aka Eurorefs) many moons ago to the Millennium Series, When they realised that it made sense Ulrich (Starr not Staehr) came to see me in the UK and asked me to join our UK-Refs with some other quality refs he knew about in Germany and France to become one of the founders of the Eurorefs in fact he made a very good argument in support of it but it would have meant loosing control of everything we had achieved upto that point.
I declined the offer of a complete merger but agreed to encourage the refs as individuals to help where possible.
Jabba who was my right hand man in the UK-Refs at the time along with most others including myself went to help when we could and indeed I have seen a great improvement in the standard of reffing in the Millennium Series.
So I do know about what you are quoting, but you are missing the point entirely I am not wanting to form an international body but a database that I and other organisers in the UK can use for the benifit of all, how on earth can the Eurorefs help if the UK Masters needs six refs next Sunday!
Oh and another sacastic point because I can, any series the Eurorefs have been to - I went first with the UK Refs.
Russ.