BCSA Accredited Judges

Being a BCSA Accredited Judge of exhibition budgerigars is a highly esteemed role. There is a long process to undertake over several year to become a trainee judge, before moving to a judge, major awards judge, and then finally a Nationally Accredited ANBC Judge. Outside of these exams and promotion requirements, there are certain things that judges must do, once they become a judge.

BCSA Judges must:

  • Keep and breed exhibition budgerigars.
  • Exhibit budgerigars at least bi-annually in major shows conducted by affiliate, half affiliate or associate societies of the BCSA, including the State Selection Show.
  • You are expected to attend judge’s meetings at least twice a year, assuming they are held.
  • Maintain membership with the BCSA.
  • Be conversant with and understand the ‘Australian National Budgerigar Council Inc. (ANBC) – The Standard’ and any amendments.
  • Be conversant with the ‘Penalty and Disqualification Clauses for the Guidance of ANBC Judges’ and their application.
  • ‘ANBC – The Standard’ and any appendages thereto, is the sole reference source when judging as to colour, variety and exhibition points.
  • The Judges Committee and the BCSA Executive may ask Judges to provide an explanation if they do not adhere to the above rules, and they may face removal from the Judges Panel.
  • You can submit a written request to the BCSA Executive for a leave of absence to cover any extenuating circumstances that may arise from time to time.
  • Judges must show at least 5 different birds in a two-year period at BCSA approved shows.

BCSA Judges shall:

  • If you receive an invitation to judge at meetings or shows, try to accept the appointment whenever possible. In case you are unable to accept, promptly inform the inviting Society, allowing them sufficient time to approach an alternative.
  • You should wear appropriate clothing that presents a professional image. It is compulsory for judges to wear a shirt / blouse (complete with BCSA logo) as supplied by the BCSA (Stencil Nano-Gear Item 2024 man or Item 2124 lady, Biz Collection P9300 Polo-Grey man and lady) and a tie (optional) with slacks / skirt at all BCSA affiliate, half affiliate or associate shows. The following items are not permitted – track suit pants, sports shorts, runners, sandals, and thongs. If for a medical or other reason a judge is not able to comply, the Judge is to submit a request for an exemption with the applicable reason.
  • You should be ready to start judging at the designated time.
  • Act in a courteous manner during and at completion of judging.
  • Be available to answer questions from exhibitors at the completion of judging appointments. Explain the basis of decisions if so requested.
  • Be non-critical of a fellow judge’s decision.
  • Be a good ambassador of the BCSA and the budgerigar fancy in general.
  • Not travel to a judging appointment with an exhibitor nor carry any exhibits entered at that show.
  • You should avoid any situation where your competence or propriety may be questioned;

 

BCSA Judges, Budgerigar Judges

 

Process of Promotion of Judges

Trainee Judge

  • An applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have been a member of the Budgerigar Council of South Australia Inc. or equivalent Interstate body/s for a minimum of 5 years, noting that only Open exhibitors can qualify to become a BCSA Judge.
  • Once a Trainee Judge’s application is received and accepted by the Judges Executive the prospective Trainee Judge will be required to purchase a copy of The Standard and then sit on a day so nominated, a Trainee Judges exam as per the following:
    (1) Theory exam of 15 basic questions from ANBC The Standard with a pass mark of 70%
    (2) Practical exam of two classes of 8 birds (one being Normal’s) each judged over a 15 minute period with a pass mark of 70%
    (3) If not successful with the theory, but successful with the practical, the candidate will be invited to re sit the theory at a later date as the main emphasis is on the practical exam.
    (4) Results will not be given until the end of the days activities. Once the above has successfully been completed, the candidates may be invited to undertake further studies in a mentor situation over a period of a minimum of 18 months with existing Major Award Judges.
    • Through this minimum 18 month period a number of mini tests will be sent to each trainee to assist with their mentorship, which will cover all varieties.

 

Trainee Judge to BCSA Judge

  • Minimum of 18 months as a Trainee Judge before being able to apply to the Judges Executive for sitting the examination for promotion to Judge. (See above)
  • Promotion follows a 20 question (multi choice) written examination paper from the ANBC The Standard as amended, plus Penalty & Disqualification clauses for A.N.B.C. Judges with a pass of 75%, once this section has been successfully passed, the Judge may proceed to the practical testing consisting of:
    (1) Identifying correctly 10 varieties currently listed within The Standard with a pass of 100%
    (2) Judging 2 Classes of 10 birds, 1 being Normal Series (Green or Blue) and the other a variable class with a pass of 75%

 

BCSA Judge to Major Awards Judge

  • Minimum of 3 years as a BCSA Judge before being able to apply to the executive for sitting the practical examination for promotion to Major Award Judge.
  • Acceptance to be promoted to a Major Awards Judge is observed as being a good ambassador for the fancy by being punctual, approachable, well presented etc.
  • The BCSA Judge may proceed to the practical testing consisting of judging 2 classes of 10 birds each, 1 being a Normal Series (Green or Blue) and the other a variable class with a pass of 85%.

 

Major Awards Judge to Nationally Accredited Judge

  • Once reaching Major Award Judge Status, the eligibility to sit for the ANBC Judges examination is reached. Applications are taken annually and must be with the ANBC National Secretary with a copy to the ANBC Judges Coordinator by the 1st of March of the year the exam is to be sat. This application is to proceed through the State Body by the 1st of February to enable the correct selection procedures to take place if the BCSA executive receives more than one application.
  • A Major Award Judge must have been at that level for two full years to qualify, under ANBC guidelines, to apply to the BCSA to nominate.
  • The ANBC has a procedure in place where only ONE nomination per each State / Zone is accepted BUT has the ability to include extras from any given State / Zone if another State / Zone does not have any applicants.

Further Comments Regarding BCSA Judges

  • Written application to the BCSA Judges Panel Secretary for promotion must be received annually by the 1st of May for the examination to proceed as close as possible to the 3rd or 4th full weekend of the following June.
  • The above Trainee system gives breeders in all areas of the State the opportunity to complete Judges Traineeship without penalty.
  • The numbers of Trainee Judges accepted into the scheme will be determined on a needs basis by the Judges Executive.
  • If a Judge of any level is not successful in passing their promotion examination, they are only able to reapply to sit after a 12-month period has lapsed. Two such attempts without success will see this period extended to 24 months.
  • Judges’ of all levels MUST read and then sign The Budgerigar Council of South Australia Inc. Judges Rules and Guidelines before being eligible to judge at BCSA affiliated or associated members shows without exception.

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