Policy Code No. 500.175
NISOA NATIONAL REFEREE PROGRAM
OVERALL POLICY PROGRAM
A. GENERAL
1. The NISOA National Referee Program (NRP) shall be open to all active NISOA members in good standing who meet and maintain the requirements as set forth under this policy.
The purpose of the program is to recognize NISOA members with advanced skills to be applied toward more challenging levels of intercollegiate soccer competition, and assist the participants in the development of their officiating skills.
In qualifying through the NISOA National Referee Program, the member will advance through stages, as follows:
a. The NISOA National Referee Applicant: who is defined as any registered and qualified NISOA Referee who desires and applies to enter the first step of the process for becoming a NISOA National Referee.
b. The NISOA National Referee Candidate: who is defined as an applicant who has met the testing requirements of entry into the National Referee Program, serves a period where performance at assigned games is assessed , and during which time is also required to meet the stated criteria for advancement.
c. The NISOA National Referee: who is defined as a candidate meeting all of the criteria and is certified and appointed as a NISOA National Referee.
2. The NISOA Emeritus National Referee: who is defined as an active NISOA National Referee who applies, qualifies, and is accepted for the permanent honor, status and recognition as a NISOA Emeritus National Referee, which honor recognizes the Referee’s service to intercollegiate soccer and NISOA by past service in the NISOA National Referee Program.
3. The Probationary NISOA National Referee: who is defined as a NISOA National Referee who has applied and been approved for temporary inactive status under the criteria for approval.
B. NATIONAL REFEREE APPLICANT CRITERIA (See Policy #500.171)
Any active NISOA member meeting the criteria listed in Policy Code No. 500.175 may apply to the NISOA National Referee Program.
The NRP Application form will be published on the web site (www.nisoa.com) prior to bi-annual enrollment. This application shall be fully and accurately completed by the interested applicant, and submitted to the Director of the National Referee Program, or his/her designee, in a timely manner prior to the specified completion date.
The process to become a NISOA National Referee is a three step process: (1) NISOA National Referee Applicant;(2) NISOA National Referee Candidate; and (3) NISOA National Referee.
NRP APPLICANT CRITERIA:
1. Must have been a NISOA member in Good Standing for three (3) years.
2. Must submit two letters of recommendation (either from their local chapter, college coach, high school coach, a certified NISOA National or Regional assessor or a current NISOA NRP member).
3. Must submit two (2) assessments as a referee and (1) assessment as an assistant referee of regular or post-season intercollegiate soccer games by a certified NISOA National or Regional assessor which meet or exceed the level of standard established by the NRP program.
4. Must present a signed and completed Physician’s General Medical Examination conducted withing six (6) months of the date of the application or a signed NISOA Medical Liability Waiver.
5. Must present a list of twenty (20) regular or post-season intercollegiate games officiated within the last three (3) years.
6. Must adhere to NISOA Code of Ethics.
7. Must submit the appropriate application fee (see Policy #500.175-J).
Completed criteria documents shall be sent to the Applicant’s Chapter Board for confirmation of membership in good standing. The Applicant shall then send the criteria documents and completed application to the Regional Area Coordinator for review and recommendation.
The Regional Area Coordinator shall submit the documents to the NRP Director, or his/her designee, with a recommendation. Further instructions will then be sent to those Applicant’s who meet the written criteria with an invitation to attend an NRP Clinic.
Upon completing the written application process, participating in and meeting the requirements and standards at an NRP Clinic, thus attaining certification, the successful Applicant will become an NRP member.
C. NATIONAL REFEREE CANDIDATE CRITERIA
1. Meet or exceed the minimum required score on The Physical Performance Test as established by the NRP Program Director in conjunction with the Director of Physical Fitness.
2. Meet or exceed the minimum required grade on the current NISOA/ NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Test or other written test as established by the NRP Program.
3. Meet or exceed the minimum number of regular and post-season intercollegiate games officiated as a referee in the preceding two (2) seasons. (e.g. Fifteen games).
4. Submit two (2) assessments as a referee and one (1) assessment as an assistant referee by a certified NISOA Regional or National Assessor of regular or post-season intercollegiate soccer games for each year of the two (2) preceding years which meet or exceed the level of standard established by the NRP Program. The same assessor may not do more than two (2) assessments for the same referee. Another National Referee, National Referee Candidate or Applicant may not assess the referee.
Note: The Regional Area Coordinator may recommend exception(s) to the assessment requirements to the National Referee Program Director or Executive Director, and they may grant exceptions based upon individual circumstances.
5. The candidate must attend and successfully complete a NISOA National Referee Clinic.
6. The candidate must adhere to the NISOA Ethics Code.
7. Upon completing the written application process, participating in and meeting the requirements and standards at an NRP Clinic, the NRP Program Director and Executive Director shall appoint the successful candidate a National Referee.
D. NATIONAL REFEREE CRITERIA
1. Meet or exceed the minimum required score on the Physical Performance Test as established by the NRP Director in conjunction with the Director of Physical Fitness.
2. Meet or exceed the minimum required grade on the current NCAA/NISOA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Test or other written test as established by the NRP Program.
3. Meet or exceed the minimum number of regular and post-season intercollegiate soccer games officiated as a referee in the two (2) preceding seasons. (e.g. ten [10] games in two [2] seasons).
4. Must re-certify every two (2) years by participating in and meeting the established requirements and standards at a NISOA National Referee Program Clinic.
5. Must submit two (2) assessments as a referee and one (1) assessment as an assistant referee by a certified NISOA Regional or National Assessor of regular or post-season intercollegiate soccer games for each year of the preceding two years which meet or exceed the level of standard established by the NRP Program. The same assessor may not do more than two (2) assessments for the same referee. Another National Referee, National Referee Candidate of Applicant may not assess the referee.
6. Assessments are to be coordinated by the NISOA Area Coordinator.
7. Service between certification dates must be active and continuous.
Note: The National Referee Director, Executive Director or President must approve any deviation.
8. Must be recommended by their Regional Area Coordinator to continue in the program.
9. The National Referee Program Director may make a reappointment to the National Referee Program.
10. Must adhere to the NISOA Code of Ethics.
E. PROBATIONARY NATIONAL REFEREE PROGRAM CRITERIA
1. An individual requesting Probationary Status shall submit a written request to their Regional Area Coordinator and provide the following :
A. Their name, address and period dates of NRP membership; and
B. Stating the reason(s) why they will be absent or unable to participate, including, but not limited to, employment or military duty, personal injury or prolonged illness, family or personal matters, relocation, educational issues or other good cause.
2. The Regional Area Coordinator shall forward their written comments to the National Referee Program Director and to the Executive Director with a recommendation to endorse or deny the request.
3. The initial period of Probationary Status shall be for one (1) year, but may be extended for an additional period of no more than one (1) year. The individual may be on probationary status for a period of two (2) years collectively, only after NRP Director’s approval.
4. The individual may also be placed in Probationary Status by a NRP Clinic default or by failing to complete an NRP requirement . In such an instance, the individual must comply with NRP standards and requirements within ninety (90) days of clinic conclusion. Failure to meet the requirements and standards will result in exclusion from the NRP for the next two (2) years.
F. REINSTATEMENT INTO THE NATIONAL REFEREE PROGRAM
1. The individual may not re-apply if they have been absent from the program for a period greater than two (2) years absent exceptional circumstances. (Exceptions will be reviewed by the NRP Director, Executive Director and President).
2. The individual shall submit in writing an application to their Regional Area Coordinator:
A. Stating their name, address and period dates of NRP membership; and
B. Stating the reason why they were absent with supporting documentation, including, but not limited to employment or military duty, personal injury or prolonged illness, family or personal matters, relocation, educational issues or other good cause.
3. The Regional Area Coordinator shall forward their written recommendation to the National Referee Program Director , Executive Director and President to endorse or deny reinstatement.
4. If deemed qualified for reinstatement, the individual shall meet all standards required of the NRP reinstatement level sought before participating in the next NRP Clinic.
5. The individual may not re-apply if he/she has assumed NRP Emeritus Status.
G. THE NISOA REGIONAL AREA COORDINATOR:
1. Shall coordinate the assignments for assessments.
2. Shall collect all assessments of regional members.
3. Shall review member NRP Record Book for compliance and level of standards achieved.
4. Shall submit recommendations to the National Referee Program Director.
5. Shall coordinate all regional Applicants to the National Referee Program.
H. NISOA PERFORMANCE RATING SYSTEM:
1. Shall include all component parts of the established NRP criteria,
2. Shall contain minimum score(s) and/or grade(s) which must be met or exceeded for passing and attaining NRP grade or probationary status, and
3. Requirements of probation must be completed within one (1) year of being granted probationary status.
4. Exceptions to the qualification requirements based upon extraordinary circumstances may be granted at the sole discretion of the National Referee Review Committee which consists of the Director of the National Referee Program, the Assistant Director the National Referee Program, Executive Director, President and National Rules Interpreter. All decisions of the National Referee Review Committee with regard to issues of NRP membership and qualification shall be final, and there shall be no right of appeal.
I. NATIONAL REFEREE EMERITUS: (See Policy #500.178)
1. Any NISOA National Referee in good standing may apply for National Referee Emeritus status any time after four seasons as a National Referee in Good Standing.
2. They shall request Emeritus Status , in writing, from the NISOA National Referee Program Director.
3. The intent of this grade is to permanently honor and recognize the contributions of those NISOA National Referees in good standing who have served Intercollegiate Soccer and the NISOA National Referee Program with distinction.
4. The request to become an Emeritus Referee will be reviewed, and if approved, the member shall receive a National Referee Emeritus Badge which may be worn while officiating NISOA sanctioned games.
5. A National Referee Emeritus may not re-apply to become a National Referee.
6. There is no fee to become a National Referee Emeritus. However, each referee shall be responsible for their local and NISOA annual dues.
J. NRP PROGRAM PARTICIPATION EXPENSES
1. Each applicant, candidate and national referee is responsible for the cost of each required assessment.
2. National Referee Applicant, fee upon application is:
2010-2012 $150.00*
3. For certification as a National Referee Candidate, the fee is:
2010-2012 $190.00*
4. For re-certification as a National Referee, the fee is:
2010-2012 $190.00*
*Late fee, if postmarked after due date: $30.00
Post clinic Process Fee $40.00
Check returned for “Insufficient funds” $30.00
Missing book fee, $5.00
Additional badge fee $5.00
5. 2010 Clinic Registration fee is $80.00*
6. 2010 Clinic Audit Fee: $120.00 (food and lodging and written materials, only).
Any participant applying for a NRP clinic within 7 days prior to the beginning of the clinic shall also pay a $50.00 late penalty fee.
Note: All National Referee Program fees are exclusive of the Annual NISOA and local Chapter dues required of all members.
K. CALENDAR
Applicant Application received for 2010 Testing January – December 2009
January – March 2010
All Clinic Application Deadline for 2010 April 1, 2010
NRC Testing and NR Recertification June – August 2010
Seasons 2010 – 2012
L. STATUS STAGES WITHIN NATIONAL REFEREE PROGRAM
NRA: National Referee Applicant
NRC: National Referee Candidate
NR: National Referee
NRE: National Referee Emeritus
NRP – P: Probationary NRP Member