MENU

Referee Policies

Back to About Officiating Page

Please note, the CWPA Technical Committee is responsible for reviewing any disciplinary issues involving officials ranging from misapplication of a rule to professionalism and code of conduct violations. If necessary, issues involving officials can be reviewed further by the appropriate Governing Council or Board of Directors.

CWPA Officials Receive

  • Per Diem
  • Game Fees
  • Hotel Reimbursement
  • Air Fare Stipend
  • Car Rental Reimbursement
  • Mileage Reimbursement (certain conditions apply)
  • Free Access to Online Webinars
  • Free Access to all Clinics
  • Referee Package Including:
    • Referee Shirt
    • Media Guide
    • Red/Yellow Cards
    • NCAA Rules Book
    • Laminated score sheet
    • Whistle
    • Liability Insurance

ASSIGNMENT PROCESS

CWPA Varsity Officiating Assignment Process

  • Step 1 – The CWPA publishes the competitive schedule including non-conference tournaments.
  • Step 2 – The officials complete an Availability Form listing which tournaments they can work.
  • Step 3 – The Coordinator of Officials, in consultation with the CWPA Technical Committee and Commissioner, makes the game assignments. Factors taken into consideration include but are not limited to:

                           * Experience and ability of the official
                           * Availability of the referee
                           * Travel expense
                           * Level of competition
                           * Previous history with participating teams
                           * Other officials assigned

  • Step 4 – The assignments are distributed to the officials requesting their confirmation
  • Step 5 – The Coordinator of Officials makes any adjustments necessary and posts the assignments

CWPA Club Officiating Assignment Process

  • Step 1 – The CWPA publishes the competitive schedule.
  • Step 2 – The officials complete an Availability Form listing which tournaments they can work.
  • Step 3 – The Coordinator of Officials, in consultation with the Commissioner, makes the game assignments. Factors taken into consideration include but are not limited to:

                          * Experience and ability of the official
                          * Availability of the referee
                          * Travel expense
                          * Level of competition
                          * Previous history with participating teams
                          * Other officials assigned

  • Step 4 – The assignments are distributed to the officials requesting their confirmation
  • Step 5 – The Coordinator of Officials makes any adjustments necessary and posts the assignments

CODE OF CONDUCT

The CWPA Official’s Code of Conduct is largely based on the tenets of the National Association of Sports Officials, with appropriate modifications when necessary to conform to the sport of water polo and the requirements of the CWPA.
  • 1. Officials shall be free from any obligation other than the fair and impartial judging of the water polo contest. Anything which may lead to a conflict of interest, either real or apparent, must be avoided. Gifts, favors, special treatment, privileges, employment or a personal relationship with a school or team which can compromise the perceived impartiality of officiating must be avoided.
  • 2. Officials shall master both the rules of the game and mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm, and controlled manner. Referees may clarify calls, not lecture individuals regarding behavior.
  • 3. Officials shall be professional in their demeanor and serve as ambassadors for the conference. This includes showing appropriate respect to student-athletes, coaches, spectators, and host staff at all times, abiding by their rules and regulations while on site.
  • 4. Officials will set an example for participants in their behavior. The use of profanity and the consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of tobacco products is prohibited at all CWPA events.
  • 5. Officials shall work with each other and the CWPA in a constructive and cooperative manner. Public criticism of the CWPA, other officials, member institutions, or individuals involved with a member institution, is strictly prohibited.
  • 6. The CWPA Mission is to enhance and enrich the student-athlete experience. Officials should endeavor to meet this mission, without prejudice towards the ability or gender of the student-athletes involved.
  • 7. Officials shall never participate in any form of illegal gambling, or gambling on any sporting event in which they have either a direct or indirect involvement.
  • 8. All Individuals associated with the CWPA, including coaches, athletes, and officials, shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with protecting the integrity of the CWPA. Any person involved in activity, unlawful or otherwise, which in the discretion of the Commissioner is deemed to bring disrespect or otherwise adversely affect the integrity and reputation of the CWPA or the member teams may suffer disciplinary action, suspension, or expulsion from the organization.
  • 9. Any person officially charged with a crime will be removed from direct involvement with the CWPA until such time the matter is resolved, at which point the Commissioner in consultation with the Board of Directors may determine a course of action. Note: Any discipline issues involving officials will be dealt with by the Technical Committee and if necessary, the appropriate Governing Council or Board of Directors.
     

 

HEAD REFEREE RESPONSIBILITIES

Before the Tournament:

  • Assign games and ensure each referee knows their schedule
  • Contact other officials to obtain their travel plans
  • Submit hotel reservation request form at least three weeks prior
  • Make travel arrangements (including car rental)

During the Tournament:

  • Resolve any protest (call the DO if you have questions)
  • Contact the Director of Officials or Commissioner for the following: (immediately after the game)

* Flagrant Misconducts and Red Cards
* Unprofessional conduct exhibited by officials
* Injuries
*Protests filed
*Circumstances requiring any schedule changes
*Forfeits and “no-contests”

After the Tournament:

 

As participation in online social networks may affect personal, social and professional areas, a referee should always protect his/her professional status.

Shared opinions on any social media profile are personal and do not in any way reflect those of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  An official expressing his/her point of view about any subject, should never forget that his/her job consists of applying the rules and no one has the right to think that decisions are influenced by something different than pure judgment

The CWPA strongly recommends officials do not post information and/or comments about teams, institutions, leagues (both collegiate and professional), fellow officials, institution and league staff, or any other potential institution with political implications, thus avoiding any suspicion of biased judgment.

Officials should not post regarding competition on social media while officiating any assignment.

Inappropriate communications will not be tolerated and the league reserves the right to suspend or sanction any official for conduct deemed in violation of this policy.

It has to be considered that the life of a referee is not private any more, the protection of privacy and confidentiality can impact the job as a referee. The transmission of information via Internet is not completely secure and any transmission of data has a risk, risk of impersonation, risk to have copied material out of restricted pages and to be used it outside of refereeing world. This cannot be underestimated.

Collegiate Water Polo Association