USPA Programs

Umpires

ABOUT THE USPA UMPIRE PROGRAM

KEY INITIATIVES:

• The USPA Umpire Training and Certification Program
• The USPA Professional Umpire Program

The USPA Umpire Program is responsible for the ways and means of achieving umpiring excellence in the United States. The USPA Umpires, LLC oversees the Umpire Program and interacts with the USPA Board of Governors.

The USPA sets the standards in terms of excellence beginning with its Umpire Training and Certification Program and USPA approved umpire seminars and clinics, along with the Professional Umpire Program.

USPA PROFESSIONAL UMPIRE PROGRAM

The USPA Umpires, LLC, manages the USPA Professional Umpire Program and is responsible for:

• The solicitation and training of USPA Professional Umpires.
• Developing apprentice opportunities to develop and market USPA Professional Umpires who have obtained a “P3” and “P4” certification.
• Conducting periodic meetings of all USPA Professional and Certified Umpires at regional polo venues.
• Interacting with USPA member clubs to solicit and market USPA umpire services.
• Interacting with USPA member clubs to review and evaluate USPA umpire services and adherence to the USPA Rules and Interpretations by USPA Certified Umpires.
• Defining and monitoring established high standards of excellence for umpire professionalism and demeanor.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For information concerning any aspect of the USPA Umpire Program, please contact: Executive Director of USPA Umpires LLC, Fergus Gould at fgould@uspolo.org.

BECOME A CERTIFIED UMPIRE

There are four steps to becoming a USPA Certified Umpire:

Pay the current year USPA Individual Member fee.

1. Take the current year Outdoor or the Arena Rules test (annually) and obtain a grade from the USPA. (Note: In order to receive or maintain an Umpire Certification from “CU” to “C4” the minimum grade of 95% (Outdoor), 94% (Arena), must be met on the Annual Rules Test: This applies to certified umpires). Each certified umpire must complete the Rules Test by December 1 each and every year in order to maintain certification for the coming year.
2. Be observed (every three years) and a recommendation made by a designated USPA Umpire Certifier. (Note: It is not a certainty that members will be awarded an Umpire Certification after being evaluated. Umpire Certification recommendations must be forwarded to Fergus Gould at fgould@uspolo.org.)
3. All USPA Umpire Certifications are approved and recorded by the USPA Umpires, LLC Committee. Umpires LLC Professional Umpire are able to certify umpire one level below their own certification, and professional status.

Individuals seeking Umpire Certification are responsible for completing Items 1, 2 and 3 above.

Rules tests can be obtained at www.uspolo.org and completed on-line. A list of Umpire Certifiers can be found at www.uspolo.org and individuals requesting Umpire Certification ratings must insure that Umpire Certification recommendations are submitted to the USPA office at: 9011 Lake Worth Rd. - Lake Worth, FL 33467.

After items 1-3 above are completed by the individual requesting Umpire Certification, all Umpire Certifications will be approved by the USPA. A list of approved Umpire Certifications will be posted on the USPA website at www.uspolo.org and updated periodically.

Umpire training and certification is available to all USPA members with an emphasis on growing the number of certified umpires to be available to member clubs for all club and USPA events.

The USPA Umpires, LLC creates a career path for professional umpires, which includes a national roving umpire who umpires member club events, conducts clinics, provides feedback for certifications, and identifies new umpire talent.

For more information about Umpire Certification and Training, contact Fergus Gould at fgould@uspolo.org.

THE USPA UMPIRE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The Mission Statement of the USPA Umpires, LLC is to advise the USPA Chairman and Board of Governors about all aspects of umpire training, education and certification including: advisement pertaining to consistent umpire rules and interpretation enforcement; updates to the USPA Umpire Guide.

The LLC also oversees the administration process for umpire certifications including the USPA Professional Umpires. The Head Umpire Instructor manages the USPA Umpire Training and Certification Program for the USPA Umpires, LLC.

For USPA trained and certified umpires, adherence to high standards and professionalism earns respect from players and clubs as well as results in pride within the ranks of certified umpires. For players and clubs, umpiring excellence will be witnessed on the polo field and taught in USPA approved umpire clinics and seminars. Umpiring excellence makes the sport safer, more competitive and more fun to play and watch.

Umpire enforcement of the USPA Rules and Rules Interpretations is one of the highest priorities for all certified umpires. USPA members must feel confident that the certification rating reflects the highest level of training and observation for that umpire rating. High-quality umpires are high-value assets and should be considered a top priority when hosting USPA events creating a viable polo club culture.

HOST AN UMPIRE CLINIC

• Hosting an Umpire Clinic

For clinic dates and availability, please contact Bradley Biddle at bbiddle@uspolo.org or (240) 731-2248.