Shortly after the Laws changed July 1 we offered a recertification class in August. Pretty easy. A couple of hours for two evenings was the time commitment. No one was asked to give up a beautiful summer weekend day. We sponsored a "Senior" Recertification class in September. We also offered clinics in October and November as well with a Saturday option.  The total number of seats available was more than 400 and the instructors would have accommodated more.

An offering of more than 400 seats more than accommodates all the refs of PWSRA and probably NVSC as well. Yet each year in January, February, March, referees will approach us and ask that we have another recertification clinic because they missed it.

We believe that sponsoring classes in the next calendar year enables procrastination. Too many refs simply put off taking a class until the last moment then find themselves in a scheduling bind. At some point, becoming recertified must be a priority for a referee, not simply an afterthought that comes only if no better activity is planned.

It is the goal of the State Referee Program to have all referees recertified by the end of the calendar year. By advertising well in advance that these are the only classes we will offer, we hope that referees will get the message that if they want to certify with us they will make our class a priority. Otherwise, they are free to travel out of area to find other recertification clinics or join us at one of our New referee classes next year.

Finally, we simply don’t have the resources to be holding recertification clinics in January, February, and March. This is prime time to train new referees but 2009 referees are welcome to join us then.