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(the verbiage below was sent out by Pa West via email on or around 4/26/2016)

Please read the message sent from our SRA that was sent to referees. This is good information for all coaches and parents.

Message from the State Referee Administrator to all Western PA Referees. Please read this carefully.

ABUSE OF REFEREES

Let me be clear as to what drives our referees out of officiating. IT IS ABUSE. Abuse by coaches, spectators and parents. This practice must stop and the adult referees MUST show an example to our younger referees that ABUSE will not be tolerated.

It appears that some are confused about what is actually ABUSE. Let’s be clear. WPA referees are to follow the guidelines listed below. Share these with your fellow referees before and after the game and reinforce that ABUSE will not be tolerated.

1. Inform both coaches that ABUSE will not be tolerated by the coaching staff, spectators or parents. If there is ABUSE, the game will be terminated.
2. If during the game, there are signs of abuse, inform the coach that the next outburst will result in termination

So what is ABUSE? What are the signs as to when the referee should get involved? Not limited to:

1. Constant complaining from the bench.
2. Questioning every decision
3. Sarcastic remarks
4. Personal attacks-----SEND THE COACH OFF IMMEDIATELY
5. Gyrating actions
6. Kicking or throwing objects-----SEND THE COACH IMMEDIATELY
7. Unpleasant comments by the spectators or parents----NOTIFY THE COACH THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
8. Personal attacks on any member of the officiating crew-----TEMINATE GAME IMEDIATELY
9. If you are threatened in any way---TERMINATE GAME IMMEDIATELY. STAY AS A TEAM AND CALL POLICE IF YOU STILL FEEL THREATENED.
10. File report
11. Call the SRA, Peggy Neason with details

Let’s be clear, this is not the case in every game and there are certain teams, spectators and parents who have a reputation of abuse. Focus on these teams and raise your awareness level.

Protect our younger referees. They do not deserve the abuse. The question you must ask yourself.
Would I want my son or daughter or my mom or dad to be treated like this? If the answer is no, then you should not take the ABUSE either.