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USAV National Certification Programs for Officials

By Patricia Rolf, 01/25/19, 5:00PM MST

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We have good news about our National Certification Programs, and I would like to update you on the finalized plans for this season.

On January 25th, the USA Volleyball Director of Officials Development, Pati Rolf, updated current National level Officials on plans for professional development programs. We would like to share this information with AZ Region officials looking to advance in their careers:


"We have good news about our National Certification Programs, and I would like to update you on the finalized plans for this season.  Due to the tremendous hard work of Michelle Prater, Bill Thornburgh, and others in the past, it is clear these programs are expansive and require incredible administrative duties.  As a result, we have separated them into four certification and development programs.  We have secured individuals whose sole focus will be on these five programs.

1. National Referee Certification Program – This program will be led by Brian Hemelgarn in 2019, and he will be assisted by Julie Voeck.  Brian was the certification director prior to Michelle and brings tremendous expertise to this program.  The mentoring and coaching teams are currently being formulated, and we want to thank everyone for their advice and assistance.  This program will focus on our Junior National Referees as they prepare to develop the skills necessary to become National Referees.  A total of 30 candidates will be accepted into this program, and it will take place at the 2019 Girls’ 18s Junior National Championships in Dallas, Texas, April 26-28.  All information regarding the application process for this program will be available on February 1, and the application deadline is March 1, notification of acceptance will be no later than March 15.  Please remember that all potential candidates who apply for this tournament are required to attend the event, regardless of acceptance as a National Referee Candidate.  We know you will enjoy working this prestigious event.

2. Junior National Referee Certification Program – This program will be led by Julie Voeck in 2019, and she will be assisted by Brian Hemelgarn.  The mentoring and coaching teams are currently being formulated, and we want to thank everyone for their advice and assistance for this program.  This program will take place at the 2019 Girls’ Junior National Championships, in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 3-5.  We will be accepting up to 60 candidates for this officials’ development event.  All application material will be available on February 1, with an application deadline of April 1, notification of acceptance will be no later than May 1.

3. National/Junior National Referee Re-Evaluation Program – This program will be led by Robyn Courchane – Robyn is incredibly passionate about organizing this program which will follow each referee’s schedule and assign them coaching mentors who will partner with them in their development. Officials no longer need to request a re-evaluation, it will be scheduled automatically at national events throughout each season. Strength ratings will no longer be part of this program due to their singular event challenges. Your body of work throughout the year is the priority as we work on a plan of continual improvement for all officials. The term “strength rating” will no longer be used. We do need assigning parameters for our large events, and these parameters are being developed for use by our assignors only. I want to thank all of you for your input and advice over the years regarding this issue. We will now focus your evaluation on your own personal and professional development, in partnership with the mission and vision of serving as a National-level referee.

4. National Scorer Certification and Re-Evaluation Program – This program continues to be led by Rachael Stringer.  Re-evaluations will take place at the Open National Championships in Columbus, Ohio.  The certification program for new National Scorers will take place at the 2019 Boys’ Junior National Championships, in Dallas, Texas, July 1-3.  We will be accepting up to 24 candidates for this development event.  All application material will be available on February 15, with an application deadline of April 1.

5. National Camp Program – This program will continue to be led by Bill Thornburgh.  We have finalized our National Camp dates, and they are posted at www.volleyballreftraining.com/events_training_camps.php.  We are excited about this program and are working hard to expand our Regional Camp offerings.  Members of our camp program recently returned from Dallas, Texas, where they had a wonderful time working with our local partners in the North Texas Region.  This is a tremendous opportunity for regions to invite national caliber coaching mentors to assist with the development of their local cadre by providing nurturing, fun, and unique hands-on development.  If anyone is interested in a Regional Camp, please contact Bill Thornburgh or myself [see below].

We appreciate all the work everyone is doing on behalf of USA Volleyball—you are the best of us, and we thank you!

Pati"

Bill Thornburgh

Pati Rolf

Director, Officials Development