FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RACINE, Wis. — The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) and the United States Practical Shooting Association’s National Range Officers Institute (USPSA/NROI) have announced a new group membership agreement that will provide NROI officials with expansive NASO benefits, resources and support.
Through the agreement, NROI officials will have access to NASO’s Group Membership Program, including enhanced officiating benefits, educational resources, advocacy and NASO’s comprehensive insurance protections for sports officials. The agreement further connects NROI officials with the broader sports officiating industry and reinforces the important role they play in conducting safe, fair and well-run competitions.
NROI was established to create a structure for the training, accreditation, recognition and maintenance of USPSA match officials. Its purpose includes establishing national training standards for range officials, advising on the safe conduct of competition, supporting rules of competition and course design, certifying and recertifying officials, and serving local and national USPSA matches.
For NROI, the timing of the agreement reflects both the continued growth of USPSA and the increasing number of certified officials serving the sport.
“Since we self-officiate an amateur shooting sport, there is a higher level of potential liability,” said Troy McManus, Director of NROI. “A minority of our officials have already found NASO and enjoy the insurance and other benefits. With USPSA membership continuing to grow and increasing numbers of certified officials, this seemed to be a good time to promote and encourage NASO membership.”
USPSA/NROI officials are joining NASO through NASO’s Group Membership Program, which provides participating organizations with reduced membership fees and enhanced benefits for their officials. NASO membership includes access to Referee magazine, the NASO Members App, officiating resources, member discounts and insurance protection designed specifically for sports officials.
McManus said the agreement also gives NROI officials the opportunity to benefit from the larger officiating community and from lessons shared across sports.
“NASO, through its publications and online services, offers unique perspective and insight into the many facets of being a sports official, regardless of the sport,” McManus said. “Whether as a range officer, umpire or referee, we all have the opportunity to learn from others, especially in the more nuanced aspects of officiating, regardless of the rule set.”
“NASO is proud to welcome NROI officials into our membership,” said Ken Koester, NASO and Referee’s Chief Business Development Officer. “The work of range officials reflects the same standards that are central to officiating across all sports: preparation, judgment, fairness, safety and professionalism. This agreement recognizes the important role NROI officials play and gives NASO the opportunity to provide them with meaningful benefits, resources and support.”
As a mission-based educational nonprofit organization, NASO advocates for excellence in officiating, provides education and support to sports officials, and leads the way with comprehensive officiating insurance protections, including liability coverage, assigning and game-call insurance, assault protection insurance, and legal and informational consultation services for members.
“We believe NASO will be a great partner with USPSA/NROI, not only because of the insurance and other benefits, but because our officials will be part of a larger family of sports officials,” McManus said. “As arbiters of fair play, we are all in this together. Without officials, there is no competition, and we all benefit by continuing our educational and experiential journey. We believe the partnership with NASO can strengthen our overall officiating stance.”
“On behalf of the NASO Board of Directors, I want to recognize USPSA/NROI’s commitment to supporting its officials,” said NASO President Bill Topp. “This agreement not only provides important resources and protections, but it also sends a strong message that NROI officials are valued members of the officiating community.”
Contact: Joe Jarosz
Associate Editor
Referee Magazine/National Association of Sports Officials
jjarosz@referee.com
About USPSA/NROI:
The National Range Officers Institute is the officiating arm of the United States Practical Shooting Association. NROI was designed to establish a structure for the creation, accreditation, recognition and maintenance of USPSA members wishing to become match officials. Its purpose includes establishing national training standards, advising on the safe conduct of competition, certifying and recertifying officials, and supporting local and national USPSA matches.
About the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO):
NASO, based in Racine, Wis., is a not-for-profit educational organization and is the world’s largest organization for sports officials at every level and all sports. More than 30,000 sports officials from around the world belong to NASO, enjoying member benefits and supporting an organization that advocates for sports officials and that helps them maintain the highest level of officiating skills. Founded in 1980, NASO is governed by a 12-member board of directors coming from numerous sports and organizations. For more information, visit the NASO website at NASO.org.
