US Lacrosse Partnering With FHSAA on Certification for Girls’ Lacrosse Officials

BALTIMORE, Oct. 14, 2014 — US Lacrosse, the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse, has reached an agreement with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) to provide the necessary education and training of women’s lacrosse officials to reach US Lacrosse certification status in time for the 2015 season. US Lacrosse is assisting in this process in response to the mandate approved last month by the FHSAA’s Board of Directors that all girls’ lacrosse officials must have US Lacrosse certification in order receive scholastic game assignments.

"We appreciate the FHSAA Board's concern about athlete safety and applaud their decision to mandate the use of US Lacrosse certified officials for all games,” said Melissa Coyne, women’s game director at US Lacrosse. “We look forward to working as a partner with the FHSAA to help support the training and certification of those officials.”

US Lacrosse offers the most comprehensive, nationally standardized training and on-field rating evaluation system for high school women’s lacrosse officials. The certification process features four requirements: completion of an online course, a passing grade on the rules test, classroom training hours and earning an on-field rating. The last two of these requirements – classroom training and on-field ratings – are being coordinated through the four local US Lacrosse officials’ boards in Florida.

Officials who complete certification status will be noted in the US Lacrosse database that will be used by scholastic game assigners in the state.

“There is a lot of training and cooperation that will be required in the next two months, but we’re committing the necessary resources to meet the demand,” said Erin Smith, director of education and training at US Lacrosse. “We have a lot of responsive trainers on the local level who are eager to help in order to meet the deadlines that we are facing.”

Further information about Florida officials’ certification can be accessed on the US Lacrosse website.

“We are excited about partnering with US Lacrosse to train and certify all FHSAA girls’ lacrosse officials,” said Corey Sobers, public relations specialist at the FHSAA. “This is an important step toward providing the safest possible environment for one of Florida's fastest growing sports, which has always been the highest priority of the FHSAA.”