I have had numerous questions this year about official signups for the year. Here are the steps for this year.
Step 1
Register with KSHSAA. To the
www.kshsaa.org website. You can complete the registration online or you can check for the location of a face to face meeting in your area and can register at the meeting. KSHSAA provides a rule book, rules meeting and a test.
KSHSAA registration is required for USAWKS post season. If you are registered with KSHSAA you will attend a rules meeting and take a test.
KSHSAA registration is not required but recommended even if you are not interested in officiating post season events.
Advantages:
You will be listed in the state official registry. This will get your name posted for events at the High School and Middle School levels.
You can attend rules meeting, the review changes, points of emphasis and meet other officials.
A test will be available, this can assist with rules confirmation and provide other information.
Step 2.
Register with USAWKS. The information for registration is on the USAWKS web site
www.usawks.org. It is under the Programs/Officials tab.
After you complete step 3 your name will be listed online in the USAWKS official registry.
Step 3.
USA Wrestling has set forth a requirement that all officials working USA wrestling sanctioned events must be members of USA wrestling. If all officials are not USA members, the tournament’s USA Wrestling sanction and liability coverage will be invalid.
There will be 2 options available.
Option 1
Register as a Volunteer Member on the
www.usawmembership.com website. Complete the SafeSport certification course and have a current background check; this is available at no cost. You can officiate at our events, but not receive any membership benefits from USA Wrestling, including any insurance protection. There is not charge for either the SafeSport certification, background check or Volunteer membership.
Option 2
Register as a Wrestling Leader on the
www.usawmembership.com website. Complete the SafeSport certification and have a current background check. Both the SafeSport certification and the background check are available at no cost. You will receive all the USA Wrestling benefits, including insurance. The membership cost is $40 plus a $5 processing fee. This membership includes insurance that covers you during the USAW event and while you are traveling to and from the events. Go to
http://content.themat.com/forms/Insuranceinfo.pdf if you want to see the complete summary of coverages.
Exceptions
Wrestlers under the age of 19 will be permitted to be used as officials at local tournaments when supervised by their school coach or a registered official.
A $5.00 USAWKS registration fee will still be required. The official must be a USA wrestling member to submit the registration for USAWKS. All registrations will be validated.
Remember, If you are a brand new official (never registered with KSHSAA) in the past, are in good standing with KSHSAA – attended the face to face meeting, complete the test and register as an official with USAWKS by December 31st, we will reimburse you for your base KSHSAA registration fee (we cannot reimburse the late fee).
Please contact me at rkashpole@hotmail.com with your questions.
Keith Ashpole
