Policies

Background Clearances

To comply with federal, state, and PIAA requirements, officials must receive their clearances and be in full compliance with requirements by the start of the fall season. When completed, officials should keep a copy with them at all times as well as provide PAWPRA with a copy for league records (email copies to referees.pa.waterpolo@gmail.com). 

Officials will not be assigned to games unless clearances are obtained and current.

Instructions for obtaining clearances are available on the PIAA website

Note: clearances should not be sent to PIAA

There are three (3) clearances: 

1) FBI Clearance (ACT 114)

2) PA State Police Clearance (Act 34)

3) Dept of Human Services Clearance (Act 151)

NFHS and SafeSport - Child Abuse Prevention Courses

Officials must complete the followings courses offered by NFHS and SafeSport.

At this time, the courses are intended for educational purposes and are not intended to describe your obligations under the law.

NFHS: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/protecting-students-from-abuse

SafeSport: https://safesporttrained.org/#/curricula/2fefff39-33d6-4945-a6ea-89dde7fad5e9

Cell Phone Policy

As a rule, a referee should not be using their cell phone on deck at any time during or immediately after a game. You are being paid to oversee the entire game, so your time should not be divided between the game and being distracted by your cell phone. 

Cell phones may only be used with good judgement in instances such as contacting a partner referee who is running late, contacting PAWPRA officers, or looking at the NFHS Rule Book app, e.g. In these cases, be transparent with coaches or administrators about your actions to maintain a professional appearance.