Throughout Major League Quidditch’s existence, there has been a clear and steady trend of experienced referees fading from the quidditch community. While this trend cannot be avoided, a new generation of young referees has not emerged fast enough to fill the gap left behind and, as a result, finding experienced, enthusiastic officials for quidditch matches has become steadily more difficult year after year. This is a trend happening across the board in North American quidditch and while there is no solitary reason for why this issue continues to grow, we must take steps to halt or even reverse the trend. MLQ is committed to providing the highest-quality referees available at every event we organize and, as such, we feel that we can no longer take a passive role in improving referee quality on the continent.
To combat this issue, starting in October 2018, MLQ will be creating the MLQ Referee Corps, a program that will seek to recruit and train a new generation of elite referees. This program will take a finite number of referees from around the country and do hands-on work to develop them as quidditch officials. This program hopes to not only bolster the quality of referees in North American quidditch, but also to reignite a positive culture of refereeing across the MLQ, USQ and Quidditch Canada communities. With the decline in low-stakes games, new referees are often thrown into high-tension matches right off the bat, with few people in their corner. With this program, we hope to change that.
The MLQ Referee Corps
It is our goal to create a pool of not just qualified head referees, but also assistant and snitch referees. We hope to build a relationship with referees across the country and spark the foundations of a new referee community. To do this, we are focusing on three fields to grow the referee community:
- Recruitment
We hope to recruit a broader pool of referees by pulling individuals from outside the sport and by pulling in new members of teams who are enthusiastic about involvement in the sport but may not be enthusiastic about playing quidditch. - Mentorship
Our panel of experienced referees will provide in-person referee tutoring with referees at quidditch events from October through May as well as remote commentary and advice. - Training Materials
We will provide in-depth training materials to referees in the referee development program (as well as for referees in community at large) for off-pitch officiating improvement.
While we may not have the ability to staff every event with new referees and mentors from the Referee Corps, we will consult with referees in this program while developing our season schedule to ensure that they will be available for nearby series. Referees in this program will be compensated at higher rates than non-corps referees.
Who should join?
While heavy effort is spent around the country developing elite quidditch skill, very little concerted effort is currently being made to develop elite refereeing. The subset of skills that make a great referee are notably different from those that make a great player. Furthermore, there are individuals with referee experience in other sports who have the skills to contribute but lack the exposure to quidditch. Because of this, there is a large untapped pool of potential referees who do not get involved because they do not play competitive quidditch. It is our goal to generate a new corps of community members who will take up refereeing as a passion and not a burden. Anybody that fits this criteria is encouraged to sign up for the Referee Corps, whether they be new to the sport, new to refereeing or an experienced referee looking to further hone their talents.
Why should you join?
The MLQ Referee Corps will provide the following benefits:
- Referee development
- Our staff of experienced referees will devote time and effort into developing participants into better overall referees.
- More refereeing opportunities
- Both mentors and mentees will be given priority to referee at MLQ events.
- MLQ Referee Corps referees—including mentors—will receive a higher pay than non-corps referees during any MLQ event they officiate.
- Deeper community involvement
- MLQ Referee Corps referees will be connected to a community of officials from around the country and help build a community of high-quality referees.
- Referees will be prioritized to officiate on geographically-oriented crews, that will allow them to build chemistry with a specific team of officials.
All interested in the MLQ Referee Corps should fill out the interest form linked here. If you have any questions on the policy, please contact Gameplay Director Joshua Mansfield at [email protected].