OFFICIALS REGISTRATION
Definitions:
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Assignor – The Zone Head Referee or his/her designee that recruits and assigns referees to game slots of a contest.
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Event – A USA Water Polo (USAWP) sanctioned games or tournament consisting of multiple games.
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Head Referee – The designated on-site referee that handles issues that arise during the event, such as protests, illness or injury to referees and rescheduling of referees due to conflicts or unexpected absence.
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Local Referee – Referees that live within 50 miles one-way driving distance of the event’s main pool.
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Non-local Referee – Referees that live further than 50 miles one-way driving distance of the event’s main pool.
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Part-time Referee – Referee-registered (example – players or coaches) who choose to referee on a less than full time basis at an event in addition to their playing or coaching duties.
Becoming an Official
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Register with USA Water Polo as a "Referee" or "Referee/Coach" Member.
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​Once registered as a referee member, individuals must take and pass the referee rules exam each year. The test is located within your USAWP membership account. Click here to for a guide on how to access the USAWP Rules Test.
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Contact your Zone Head Referee to complete the required practical component and/or observation. Midwest Zone Head Referee - Jarod Lawson: jarod_lawson@yahoo.com
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Once you complete your "on deck" observation you are certified as a "Level 1" referee and subject to the assignment criteria and limits set forth by your Zone.
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To achieve "Full Level 1 Certification", you must attend and successfully complete a USAWP Referee School at the earliest opportunity within your zone. "In Person" Schools will be offered in conjunction with USAWP and ODP events throughout the country and are required for certification of ALL Referees every two years.
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Basic Certification Course (COMING SOON)
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On-Deck Training
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Referee School
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​Register with USA Water Referee Association (www.arbitersports.com). Registration with USAWPR is free and is mandatory for consideration to USA Water Polo Sanctioned Event Assignments. REGISTER HERE.
Returning Officials
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Register with USA Water Polo as a "Referee" or "Referee/Coach" Member.
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Once registered as a referee member, individuals must take and pass the referee rules exam each year. The test is located within your USAWP membership account.
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Attend and successfully complete a USAWP Referee School at the earliest opportunity within your zone. "In Person" Schools will be offered in conjunction with USAWP and ODP events throughout the country and are required for certification of ALL Referees every two years.
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Contact your Zone Head Referee to complete the required practical component and/or observation.
Complete Level Certification Criteria is posted on the usawaterpolo.org website.
Contact
Event and Competition Officer: Madeline Burrell - maddi@midwestwaterpolo.com
Zone Head Referee: Jarod Lawson - jarod_lawson@yahoo.com
Referee Evaluation
The primary purpose of completing a referee observation is to support USAWP in identifying areas for growth within education, training, and development processes. These observations, and informative feedback, offer valuable external perspectives, enabling individuals to reflect on their performance in light of the assessor’s feedback. To be truly effective, observations should include clear, detailed written comments highlighting areas for improvement. We appreciate your professionalism and constructive approach in providing this feedback.