The important role of new technologies in supporting Roller Hockey Referees

Abstract

Technology is increasingly present in everyday life. All people are users of technology, and the world of sports is no exception. Indeed, there is a strong need for task improvement, and, in sports practice, the implementation of technologically advanced tools is a reflection of the execution of that objective, as athletes, coaches, referees, or fans, are involved in that process. However, roller hockey, which is considered an old and traditional sport, is out of sync with this new reality. Thus, one may tackle the main issue to evaluate the importance of technology according to the perceptions of the different stakeholders involved in the Roller Hockey sport. Using questionnaires, we intend to characterize the perceptions regarding available technologies and potential applications. In this paper, some results of this study (N = 227) are presented so that the potential for introducing information technologies to the referee role may be understood.