Mission Statement
The purpose of the Washington Officials Association is to provide qualified officials for WIAA sanctioned regular season and postseason events. This shall be accomplished by developing:
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a registration process that is thorough, accurate and prompt.
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a core of knowledgeable sports rules clinicians who are dedicated to interscholastic coaches, participants and to the game itself.
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a process to recruit, train and retain competent officials, particularly from the female and minority segments of the population.
- a Board of Directors who are leaders and who are responsive to the needs of the associations and boards.
The Goals of WOA Officials are to:
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Accept the role of official in an unassuming manner. Showboating and over-officiating are not acceptable.
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Maintain confidence and poise, controlling the contest from start to finish.
- Know the rules thoroughly and abide by established Code of Ethics.
Code of Ethics
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Register with the WOA each year on a timely basis and attend all required meetings. Work no interscholastic contests with officials who do not hold current registration in the sport in which they officiate.
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Join and actively participate in a local official’s association or board.
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Execute and honor assignments.
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Be on time for all contests.
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Make thorough preparations, physically and mentally, for each season and every assigned contest.
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Present a clean and professional image in terms of personal appearance and uniform, and provide a positive role model in terms of personal habits, language and conduct. Use of tobacco or alcohol within sight of players and spectators and use of alcohol any time before a contest on the day of the contest is not acceptable.
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Cultivate professional relationships with partners, players, coaches, administrators, and spectators. Refrain from comment to the media.
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Publicly shake hands with coaches of both teams before each contest.
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Never exhibit emotions or argue with participants and coaches when enforcing rules.
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Make clear signals and concise rulings and instructions to the scorers, timers and teams. Use only those signals that have been authorized by the rules code and the WOA.
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Admit and correct your own errors, hold to correct but unpopular decisions, and support the decisions of other officials.
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Maintain self-control at all times.
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Recruit, encourage and assist new officials.
- Volunteer to work scrimmages as often as possible as a service to schools and for the opportunity to gain experience and improve officiating skills.