NORCECA Refereeing Commission Discusses Resources to Improve Performance and the Training of New Officials

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 2, 2025. – The NORCECA Confederation Refereeing Commission held its virtual meeting to discuss various resources aimed at optimizing referee performance and the training of new officials in the region.

NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz welcomed the participants, emphasizing the key role that referees play in ensuring neutrality and the success of NORCECA competitions. Marte Hoffiz stated, “In recent years, refereeing has improved significantly thanks to a strong training program, I am pleased with the increase in the number of female referees, achieving gender balance. However, we need to continue these efforts as we aim to have more female referees and elevate the level of development we aspire to.”

Pati Rolf, President of the Refereeing Commission, expressed her enthusiasm for continuing the work initiated by former commission president Guy Bradbury and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among the various working groups that have contributed to the training of new NORCECA referees. “The love for officiating is the driving force of our commission. We are a team within the team, pushing for excellence in our competitions,” Rolf stated.

During the meeting, reports from AFECAVOL, CAZOVA, and ECVA were presented, all with the goal of uniting efforts for a better future. Training initiatives, including virtual clinics and courses for continental referees, were discussed. A model was proposed where zonal clinics would serve as the foundation for replicating continental certification courses, allowing candidates to advance in their certification process.

The implementation of a "Knowledge Transfer" project was introduced, aiming to ensure that refereeing experience and training are backed by proper certification. Working groups will be established to design the necessary training programs, exposing that our Confederation is committed to creating opportunities for developing referees to gain experience and validate their knowledge under the supervision of instructors.

Pati Rolf emphasized the need for a training model that provides direct education during competitions while ensuring compliance with FIVB criteria regarding content and required preparation hours.

Mushtaque Mohammed, NORCECA Vice President and FIVB Development Commission President, suggested a combination of online theoretical classes before events and practical sessions during zonal tournaments, with different certification levels depending on the type of competition.

On this topic, Glenn Quinlan, NORCECA Vice President and FIVB Empowerment Commission President, outlined a project currently being planned for ECVA events. As ECVA President, he emphasized the need for the NORCECA Referee Commission’s collaboration to implement this initiative, which could later serve as a model for other zonal associations.

Andre Trottier and Jorge Villalobos presented a report on the general activities of Referee Coaches at beach and indoor volleyball events, respectively. They highlighted the progress of candidates in the 2024 referee courses held in Puerto Rico and the continuous supervision provided during the NORCECA Tour.

In beach volleyball, the 2025 NORCECA Tour, which includes fifteen stops, presents a major opportunity for referee candidates to complete their certification requirements. The importance of zonal associations nominating referees to participate in these events is a must.

Forms and reports that Referee Coaches will complete at the end of each competition were introduced. These documents will help track referees’ performance, categorization, and future assignments.

The need for the updates to the rules of the game was emphasized. Guy Bradbury highlighted three key rule adaptations for indoor volleyball, which will be explained by Referee Coaches to coaches during the preliminary inquires.

Manuel Calderón, member of NORCECA’s VIS Commission, announced that he is preparing a step-by-step guide for the use of Volley Station Pro and Volley Station Referee, stressing the importance of synchronizing both systems to ensure accurate data management. Additionally, he explained that pre-tournament clinics have been implemented during competitions to train scorekeepers and ensure proper use of these tools.

The urgent need to update NORCECA’s referee database in the FIVB VIS system was reaffirmed. Each zonal association will be responsible for compiling and providing this data.

In her closing remarks, Pati Rolf expressed gratitude to NORCECA for its ongoing support to  referees, stating, “The positive work environment and our achievements in competitions and meetings like this one, are the result of NORCECA’s commitment, including that of its referees.” She added, “I am excited for the upcoming events and reaffirm that our commission is dedicated to the growth and professionalization of refereeing in the region.”