FROM THE USAPA
USAPA TRAINING COLUMN
THE REFEREE CERTIFICATION
APPLICATION PROCESS …
BY LYNN & LINDA LAYMON – USAPA TRAINING CHAIRS
USAPA-certified referees? Finally, here are the details. First, in the March Pickleball Magazine we wrote,“ The exact date that the online application process will be launched is based on the availability of USAPA personnel and software support.” That is still the case, but the Referee Certification Evaluation Committee has determined it is counterproductive to wait for the fully automated process.
We are currently working on creating a WordPress online application that will allow candidates to begin applying sometime in June. This process will require significantly more human intervention and manual processing of applications, but it will allow candidates who have met the prerequisites to apply and schedule an on-court evaluation much sooner than if we were to wait for USAPA’ s new membership software. Eventually the referee certification process will be part of the membership software currently under development.
The first on-court evaluation opportunity is planned for the USAPA Pacific Northwest regional tournament in August in Bend, Oregon. Following in October are the Fall Brawl and Huntsman World Senior Games, both in St. George, Utah. The next opportunities are planned for three Surprise, Arizona, area events just prior to Nationals VIII.
The certification fee has been set at $ 95, which will be payable online after being accepted into the program. This fee includes: two opportunities to pass an on-court evaluation by a member of the USAPA Referee Certification Committee, a certified referee dry-fit shirt, a USAPA referee lanyard and photo ID card, a certified referee listing on usapa. org, one-time acknowledgement in Pickleball Magazine, priority for refereeing medal matches in USAPA-managed events, certified referee compensation( when available), and other benefits associated with being recognized as having earned distinction as a USAPA-certified referee.
The availability of the application process will be announced via an email blast to all USAPA members. Once opened, candidates can apply online at www. usapa. org. You must: be a USAPA member in good standing, have within the past 14 days achieved passing scores on both the USAPA Referee Test and Line Judge Quiz, and have completed referee training following the standards and procedures contained in the USAPA Referee Handbook and Trainer Guide, and subsequently refereed 30 matches( 15 in sanctioned tournaments). You will be asked to acknowledge understanding of and agreement with the Application Terms of Agreement before completing and submitting the application.
Once received and the prerequisites validated, the applicant will be emailed confirmation of acceptance into the program and a payment link to where the fee can be paid using PayPal or a credit card. At the same time, a schedule of available upcoming on-court evaluation venues and dates will be provided. Following payment, candidates may submit to the Training Department their first and second choices for evaluation location. Scheduling for each venue will be done strictly on a first-come, firsserved basis. Evaluation Committee member( s) will be assigned and will contact candidates directly to coordinate the details.
The Application Terms of Agreement states, among other things, that the candidate will be expected to referee in accordance with the USAPA Refereeing Standards and Procedures contained in the USAPA Referee Handbook; specific
12 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 724.942.0940 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG. COM