An “assessment” is a type of evaluation of a referee’s on-field performance. It is a formal process that involves a Referee Coach/Mentor observing a referee as they officiate a match, and then helping the referee reflect on their performance after the match.
This page describes basic information about the assessment process. More details are found in the NRDP Assessment Policies and Procedures document. Referees who participate in the assessment process are expected to know and follow that document. Each referee is responsible for their own growth and development, including knowing, understanding, and meeting the requirements to maintain their current referee grade or to upgrade to the next higher referee grade. It is not the responsibility of NRDP to ensure that referees complete those requirements. NRDP will do its best to provide the necessary services and opportunities to referees who proactively work to meet their grade’s requirements.
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Assessment Types
Developmental Assessment
A developmental assessment — also known as a D&G, or development and guidance assessment — is not required for any referee. It is an opportunity for a referee to receive feedback about their current level of on-field performance. A developmental assessment is completed by a licensed Referee Coach or Referee Mentor.
Upgrade Assessment
An upgrade assessment is among the requirements for a Grassroots Referee to upgrade their license to Regional Referee. It is completed by a licensed Referee Coach.
Maintenance Assessment
A maintenance assessment is among the requirements for a referee to maintain their Regional Referee grade. It is completed by a licensed Referee Coach.
Assessment Components
Referee Coach/Mentor Responsibilities
All assessments include the following components to be completed by the Coach/Mentor:
- Match observation
- Post-match reflection
- Written feedback
Any activity by a Referee Coach or Referee Mentor that does not include at least those three components is not an assessment. Any activity by a person who is not a licensed Referee Coach or Referee Mentor is not an assessment.
Referee Responsibilities
All assessments include the following components to be completed by the referee:
- Match summary
- Self-assessment
A referee who does not finish these components has not completed the assessment process.
The match summary is a short summary highlighting major themes and incidents from the match. It is typically integrated into the post-match reflection. The self-assessment is a written document that describes the referee’s analysis of their performance during the match. It includes the referee’s own observations from the match, along with the referee’s understanding of topics covered with the Coach/Mentor in the post-match reflection.
Requesting an Assessment
A referee may request an assessment using the Assessment Request Form. Assessment requests should be made no fewer than ten (10) days prior to the date of the match to be assessed.
Assessment Fees
Assessment fees exist to compensate Referee Coaches/Mentors for their time and expertise. Current fees to be paid by the referee for each assessment are:
- Maintenance assessment: $60.00
- Upgrade assessment: $60.00
- Developmental (D&G) assessment: $20.00
Video Assessments
Every reasonable effort will be made to have a Referee Coach/Mentor observe a referee’s match performance in person. In the rare circumstances where it is not possible for the match to be observed in person, a video assessment may be completed instead when approved by the SDD.