It takes a special person to be an official. Sports officials bear great responsibility for engendering public confidence in sports. They are critical to the health of athletic competitions. Officials ensure games are played fairly, by the rules, within the spirit of the rules and in a safe manner. Officiating takes a great deal of preparation, continuing education and commitment of time. Much is asked of those who officiate. Therefore those organizations and individuals that assign, evaluate or require the use of officiating services are hereby asked to resolve and affirm the following:
1. That game assignments and career advancement be provided without regard to age, sex, race, national origin, religion or other factors unrelated to the ability to properly perform officiating duties.
2. That effective security be provided to protect sports officials from physical assaults, unseemly verbal abuse and the loss of, or damage to personal property, from the time of arrival at the game site through the time of departure.
3. That efforts be supported to limit the liability sports officials can incur as a result of the reasonable and customary decisions they make in fulfilling their officiating duties.
4. That the obligations sports officials are expected or required to fulfill be clearly communicated, preferably in writing, in advance of when those obligations are to be carried out.
5. That sports officials who are subject to an inquiry concerning alleged improper or inadequate fulfillment of their responsibilities, be given fair treatment and an opportunity to respond to the findings through a prescribed appeal process before disciplinary measures are taken.
A Covenant With Sports Officials downloadable PDF.