Introduction of the National Certified
Referee Evaluation Committee
By Christine Barksdale,
USAPA Managing Director of Athletic
Competition
Last year was a fantastic year
for the USAPA Certified Referee
Program! The program, which began
approximately 18 months ago, has
more than 115 Certified Referees with
many more on the road to certification.
The 15-step process (for details on
Referee Certification, visit Rules and
Referees on the USAPA website)
provides a path for people to give
back to the sport that represents
“fun” to so many. As the Certified
Referee Program Coordinator, I answer
hundreds of questions each month—
from where to find a referee trainer to
inquiring if there’s an evaluator nearby
to help someone become a Certified
Referee.
These questions made me realize—
as the governing body of pickleball—
we needed to bring referee training
closer to home for all members and
players. With that objective in mind, the
Board of Directors has established the
National Certified Referee Evaluation
Committee. The committee consists
of a leader from each of the newly-
created sections of the United States—
Eastern, Central and Western (see map
below). Section Leaders are John
Grasso, Western; Fred Thompson,
Central; and Jeff Shank, Eastern.
Each leader was selected not only for
being an excellent pickleball referee
and skilled referee trainer but also for
his knowledge of the rules. The main
goals of the committee include:
• Develop online and national training
videos on pickleball refereeing
PACIFIC
NORTHWEST
GREAT PLAINS
MIDDLE
STATES
MOUNTAIN
WEST
GREAT
LAKES
ATLANTIC
MID-ATLANTIC
SOUTHWEST
MID-SOUTH
• Develop a Certified Trainer Program
• Develop a network of Referee
Coordinator Mentors/Referee
Coordinators to assist Sanctioned
Tournament Directors with the ins
and outs of how to have referees for
every match
• Coordinate with Regional Directors
and District Ambassadors to form
local committees to provide a
training network to clubs throughout
the region and to implement a plan
to provide referee training resources
to local clubs
I’m hopeful that by bringing training
to your neighborhood, we’ll triple the
number of skilled referees across the
country in the coming year. •
The USAPA
Congratulates
Recently-Certified
Referees:
Gigi LeMaster,
Karen Rust, and
Mike Sausser!
ATLANTIC
SOUTH
MARCH/APRIL 2018 |
MAGAZINE
51