Hello Everyone,
We are thrilled to announce the selection of 14 exceptional Judges who have been chosen as Temporary Regional Advisors (TRAs) for the International Judge Program (IJP).
The Regions for the IJP are not defined yet, and it will be the TRA team’s responsibility to decide them within the limits of our statutes. In the list below, we’ve referred to the Regions as “Georegions” to emphasize that this is not our final choice of regions.
| Georegion | TRA |
| Australia & New Zealand | Tom Wood |
| BeNeLux | Arjen De Jong |
| Brazil | Lu Cordeiro |
| Europe – Adriatic | Milorad Pavlovic |
| Europe – Central | Anna Zielinska |
| Europe – East | Yuval Tzur |
| Europe – North | Lars Harald Nordli |
| France | Sophie Pages |
| Germany & Austria | Philip Ockelmann |
| Hispanic America – North | Herbert Zurita |
| Hispanic America – South | Adrian Estoup |
| Iberia | Nacio Perez Janeiro |
| Italy & Malta | Jacopo Strati |
| Japan | Mitsunori Makino |
We’re aware we’re missing to cover some Georegions like the UK or China. We reached out to Georegion’s leadership and they informed us they do not wish to be involved with IJP at this point. If at any moment they change their mind, we will be more than happy to appoint a TRA from those Georegions.
For some additional Georegions, our conversations with their community leaders are still ongoing. We will provide updates as soon as those conversations have concluded and we know if TRAs for those Georegions are chosen and who they are. [Editor’s note: The article has been modified to add this paragraph which was omitted from the original version.]
What is the TRA role?
These TRAs will play a crucial role in shaping the initial phases of the IJP by assuming the responsibilities typically assigned to Regional Representatives during the program’s first year.
For your reference, the TRA role is distinct from that of Regional Representatives (RR). While both roles involve similar responsibilities, RR are elected by judges, whereas TRAs are appointed by the Program Leads. TRAs will act as an advisory and control group, approving the initial distribution of Regions until the first General Assembly, approximately one year from now.
It’s essential to clarify a few key points:
- TRA is a non-paid role and individuals could freely accept or decline the position.
- The Regions for the IJP are not yet defined, and it will be the TRA team’s responsibility to decide them within the limits of our statutes.
- TRAs must be willing to prioritize the best distribution of Regions, even if it means not being a RR later. We’ve consciously taken more TRAs than the expected number of regions to ensure a good quality of feedback.
How did we select the TRAs?
We understand that transparency is crucial in our community. In selecting TRAs, we considered various qualities to ensure a well-rounded and capable group. Some of the qualities we looked for include:
- Community insight: We searched for individuals who can help the IJP take into account the reality and circumstances of different parts of the world.
- Leadership Skills: We sought individuals who have demonstrated strong leadership skills and have a track record of fostering positive communities.
- Diversity: We aimed for a diverse group that represents different regions, cultures, experience and perspectives within the Magic the Gathering Judge Community.
- Communication: Effective communication is key. We prioritized individuals who can articulate ideas clearly and engage in constructive discussions.
To identify potential TRAs, we gathered input from various sources, including:
Community insight
We considered recommendations from the Magic the Gathering community whose input played a crucial role in helping us identify individuals who are respected and trusted within the community.
Judge Program Leaders
Some of our existing Judge Leaders provided valuable insights into potential TRAs based on their experience and knowledge of the judge community.
Experience and Contributions
We assessed candidates based on their experience in judging, contributions to the Magic community, and their commitment to the values of the IJP
In Conclusion
To the selected TRAs, a warm congratulations and thank you for the time and energy you will give to the community! Your commitment to the Judge Community and your willingness to contribute to the development of the IJP has not gone unnoticed. We believe your diverse perspectives will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition during this critical period.
To the entire Magic the Gathering Judge Community, we appreciate your continued support as we embark on this exciting journey with the International Judge Program. Stay tuned for further updates, and thank you for being an integral part of this project!
Best regards,
Cristiana on behalf of the IJP Program Leads
