Learn about the Verified Trainee process .
REFEREE CORNER
Take the first step on your officiating journey
Learn about the Verified Trainee process .
If you ’ re passionate about bringing credibility and a sense of fairness to the courts , then becoming a USA Pickleball official might be for you ! The importance of the USA Pickleball referee is on display at tournaments yearround , and our organization is committed to growing the referee community and setting the standard for training new officials .
Though the pipeline of referees has been bolstered by the recently established Verified Trainee program , there ’ s a need for continuous growth due to natural attrition . In addition , as pickleball is poised to grow at the collegiate and high school levels , the need for officials will increase .
“ Once pickleball becomes a college and high school mainstream sport , they will need a lot of officials ,” said Tom Tadler , USA Pickleball ’ s managing director of officiating . “ We need to fill that need with local referees . Like other collegiate and high school sports , pickleball needs to be officiated to become scholarship-worthy .”
Members can make the jump from player to Verified Trainee , the first step in the credentialed referee process . As a Verified Trainee , you are just beginning and are not familiar with how to referee , but you have the desire to learn . Not sure where to start ? Follow the steps below !
• If you have not already done so , become a USA Pickleball member at the Champion Level . Go to usapickleball . org / membership .
• Fill out the application online for the Verified Trainee program .
• Keep checking your membership account by logging in through the USA Pickleball homepage to see when you are approved as a Verified Trainee . This can take a few days .
• Once approved as a Verified Trainee , download and become familiar with the Official Rulebook and Officiating Handbook .
• Take the online Player Test . It ’ s challenging and fun !
• Sign up for a referee training class . Use the Referee Search tool to find a nearby Registered Referee Trainer or contact the Referee Training Coordinator in your region for help .
After attending a few referee training classes , you may be authorized by a Tournament Director to observe officiated matches until you demonstrate a minimum proficiency to referee on your own . However , your next goal as a referee should be to become a “ credentialed ” referee .
Though getting started as an official may seem daunting , USA Pickleball provides the resources and connections to break down barriers to entry .
“ Like a lot of officiating programs in other sports , getting started is difficult as it requires the trainee to selftrain and find opportunities ,” Tadler said .
“ In some cases , this is easier than others due to location and time availability . USA Pickleball and our partners at UTR and APP are encouraging Verified Trainees to sign up to shadow and learn from some of the best referees in action at actual tournaments . This is limited to trainer availability but is a great opportunity to see how it all works before fully committing .”
Join the referee community today by applying to become a Verified Trainee ! Visit usapickleball . org / officiating for more resources .
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