Trailblazing the Sidelines: Former National Goalkeeper Swaps Gloves for Whistle
Ex-national goalkeeper transitions to refereeing role
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link*
Once a dominating force in the Handball Bundesliga, Jens Vortmann swaps his gloves for a whistle - diving headfirst into a new adventure as a referee. With his sights set on greatness.
Known for his impressive stints with GWD Minden, HSV Hamburg, and DHfK Leipzig, Vortmann earned 11 caps for the German B national team and won silver with the U21 national team at the 2007 World Championship. Stepping into the limelight once more, after barely a year since retirement, the Berliner embarks on an unexpected journey - becoming a referee. "I wanted a way to stay connected with the sport," Vortmann shares on the German Handball Federation (DHB) website, "Settling for an office job or being a coach didn't appeal to me, so I decided to become a referee."
Breaking ground on his handball debut, Vortmann officiated the game between SC Markranstädt and 1. FC Köln in the women's 3rd league. Paired with former Bundesliga referee Nils Blümel, who lost his long-time partner Jörg Loppaschewski to retirement, was taken aback but delighted by Vortmann's call: "Starting from scratch as a player to stepping into the world of refereeing takes guts," says the seasoned referee, who has officiated over 700 games.
Ambitious and pioneering, Vortmann aims for quick advancement to the elite level. "We want to make a name for ourselves, but we'll have to see what that entails," says the former top goalkeeper, paving the way. "This is an entirely new path for refereeing corps," says Jutta Ehrmann, head of referee development at the DHB, "We've never had a former Bundesliga player paired with an elite referee like this before."
With Ehrmann's backing, Vortmann has an advantage over the typical pathway. "But I need to showcase that Jutta made the right call in supporting me," he adds. While his stint as a top-level player offers valuable insights, there's still a steep learning curve ahead, acknowledges the new referee: "Navigating the field, adopting the right body language, and selling decisions - I have to build experience in these areas, but I'm optimistic about our growth trajectory."
[1] Our sources reveal that this transition from player to referee can present significant challenges, including adapting to a new perspective and developing new officiating skills. While Vortmann’s understanding of the game could prove advantageous when making calls, maintaining impartiality and dealing with the stress of crucial decisions during matches can be considerable hurdles for new referees.[2] The support provided by the German Handball Federation suggests a systematic approach to integrating former players into referee roles, which could aid in overcoming some of these challenges.
- User Jens Vortmann, the former national goalkeeper, demonstrates ambition and pioneering spirit as he transitions from playing gloves to whistle, aiming for quick advancement to the elite level as a referee.
- Paired with a seasoned referee, Nils Blümel, Vortmann faces an uphill battle in mastering the art of officiating, recognizing the need to learn new skills such as navigating the field, adopting the right body language, and selling decisions while maintaining impartiality.
- Head of referee development at the DHB, Jutta Ehrmann, acknowledges that Vortmann's transition is unprecedented, marking a trailblazing move in integrating former players into referee roles, offering a systematic approach to overcome the challenges that come with the transformation.
