It is that time of year when officials start having their meetings and new officials can start getting trained along with them. I know we hear this every year, but it's very true. Our sport, and all sports, need the commitment of new officials to replace those that are having to leave for various reasons, including age related.

I'm now in my 8th decade of life so officiating for me is year by year. I made a commitment to my association that I would do one more year, but I sure wish we had a waiting list take my place. I feel good about the officials we have, it's just that we need a lot more, and we need ones that can be committed for the long term.

The link below takes you to the Washington Officials Association website and there's a spot on there where you can look up the assigner in your area to find out what you need to do to get involved. If you have wrestling background at all, officiating is not that hard, it just takes discipline and commitment. I've been at it 30 plus years. It's been a lot of fun, but like all good things, they eventually come to an end. Please accept this invitation to join your local association, and do what you can to give back to the sport that you love, to help ensure its future and ability to have competitions.

https://woa-officials.net/WAOfficials/