REFEREE STORY
Q & A with Tom Tadler, USA Pickleball Managing Director of Officiating
USA Pickleball: Do all USA Pickleball Golden Ticket tournaments have referees?
Tom Tadler: All Golden Ticket tournaments run by USAP are officiated. Most USAP-sanctioned tournaments have at least one USAP credentialed referee on-site.
USAP: Why did USA Pickleball find it important to provide referees? TT: Pickleball has become a professional sport and so it needed professional officials. USAP provides the sport with highly trained and tested professionals. Since USAP is the National Governing Body of pickleball and is the only referee testing and credentialing authority, it makes sense that officials are used on every match if possible.
USAP: What does having certified referees at a tournament mean?
TT: Having a certified referee( CR) at a tournament supports the tournament director, operations, and the players. Certified referees are expected to be able to answer rule questions, assist with playing formats and tie breakers, settle disputes, and most important, monitor player safety. USAP highly encourages tournament directors and venue operators to hire at least one CR to support a tournament. USAP: How do you become certified? TT: Start as a Verified Trainee and work through the levels to become certified. These steps are detailed on our website at usapickleball. org / referee, and we encourage those interested to check it out.
USAP: Why is it critical to have certified referees at tournaments?
TT: Referees support the success of any tournament. Referees add credibility to any tournament. Players
should expect to have officials at tournaments so that all rules are equally enforced.
USAP: What do they do and what value does it bring to the players and tournament as a whole?
TT: Referees support tournaments in all sorts of ways. The first and most important is to ensure the safety of players, spectators, and others at the venue. They are taught to be aware of all conditions that could impact player safety. Head referees are expected to know and communicate such things as AED locations, first aid or medical support, and court conditions.
USAP: What is your favorite part of refereeing a tournament?
TT: It’ s all about the players. We referee pros and amateurs the same, and everything from youth brackets to the Super Seniors all are a fun experience. We also get to volunteer at Special Olympics where the athletes and coaches reward referees with smiles and sometimes even hugs.
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