Officials associations continue to recognize the value of strengthening education, support and protection for their members — and many are doing so by partnering with the NASO through the Association Advantage program. Two groups recently joined the growing network: the New York City Metropolitan Football Officials Association (NYCMFOA) and the Salem Basketball Officials Association (SBOA).
New York City Metropolitan Football Officials Association
Representing officials across the New York City region, the NYCMFOA brings a diverse and growing roster of football officials committed to elevated training and professionalism.
Led by Christopher Jackson, the association has built its reputation on preparing officials to succeed in fast-paced, highly competitive football environments across multiple levels of play.
In recent years, NYCMFOA has focused on expanding educational opportunities, encouraging mentorship within its membership and building a supportive pipeline for developing officials.
“As a smaller, independent organization, having the power of NASO behind us enables the NYCMFOA to attract and develop the officials our schools deserve,” Jackson said.
“We thought joining NASO was a long overdue step for our organization,” Jackson said. “The NASO/Referee training materials provide our officials with the best available resources to sharpen their craft, and affordable protection that gives them peace of mind when they take the field. We look forward to taking full advantage of being members for years to come.”
For associations evaluating how to strengthen training and provide meaningful protection for members, NYCMFOA’s decision reflects how Association Advantage can support local leadership while adding national-level resources.
Salem Basketball Officials Association
The SBOA, based in Salem, Ore., has a long history of serving its local basketball community with a strong emphasis on mechanics, rules knowledge and ethical officiating. Under the leadership of President Scott Cantonwine, the association continues to focus on improving officiating quality while elevating the experience for its officials and partner schools.
“In today’s environment, it is crucial that associations realize they are businesses and be well-protected against the variety of business risks they face,” Cantonwine said.
“As SBOA has been modernizing its business processes, insurance was a focus area, and NASO’s Association Advantage provided a comprehensive, yet affordable, option,” Cantonwine said. “Another bonus is the resources available to both our officials and board members. We look forward to making the most of these resources to improve as officials and as a modern, well-managed association.”
SBOA’s decision to join NASO through Association Advantage further strengthens its ability to support members at every stage of their journey. The program assists local associations in offering robust educational opportunities, enhanced communication tools and unified standards that support high-quality officiating throughout the region.
About Association Advantage
NASO’s Association Advantage program provides officiating associations with a comprehensive suite of resources designed to elevate training, support leadership and protect members. Benefits include:
- Liability Protection: Full NASO membership for every official in the group, including industry-leading insurance.
- Educational Tools: Access to training resources, rules materials, caseplays and best-practice guidance.
- Administrative Support: Tools to help association leaders manage membership, training, education and communication.
- Community Connection: Opportunities to collaborate with other groups nationwide and share best practices.
By joining NASO through Association Advantage, associations like NYCMFOA and SBOA strengthen their ability to serve officials, improve training consistency and enhance the professional experience for members.
Interested in learning more? Associations exploring ways to strengthen education, streamline operations and improve protection for members can review the Association Advantage program details and next steps at https://www.nasoadvantage.com/association-advantage/
