Anchor City Rollers

About our Officials

We are currently recruiting new referees. Individuals who are inexperienced in roller derby are welcome to join. Refs help keep the game safe for all players by checking safety gear, calling penalties, and removing unsafe skaters from play. They also keep track of how many points are scored in each jam, and communicate with the Non-Skate Officials (NSOs) to help the game run smoothly. It takes 7-8 refs to hold a roller derby bout: that’s almost as many as there are players on the track.

​

 

Why should you become a roller derby referee?

• You get the workout and fun of skating without regularly giving or receiving hits.

• Best view in the house: you’re just a few feet from the action.

• You get to yell really loudly and send people to the penalty box.

• Black and white stripes: so sexy.

• You get to pick your own kickass ref name.

• Impress your friends with your knowledge of the ins and outs of the WFTDA rulebook.

• Learning the hand signals is like learning a secret language.

• Skaters will love you: we can’t play without our refs.

​

Training

We provide both skate training and ref training for all of our referees. We hold a Fresh Meat practice once a week where you can learn to skate. In addition, you’ll come to scrimmage practices to learn the rules of the game and how to call penalties and track points.

 

Commitment

In addition to weekly practices, and off-skates rules training, refs are needed for 4-6 bouts a season.

 

Required gear

• Either quad skates (recommended) or inline skates

• Knee and elbow pads

• Wrist guards

• Mouth guard (one that allows you to speak clearly, and use a whistle)

• Multi-impact helmet

• Whistle (lanyard and finger whistle suggested)

• Ref shirt

 

Insurance

All individuals participating as Anchor City Rollers referees must be insured by Canadian Roller Derby Information Services (CRDi). Insurance is paid for by the individual, but purchased through the league. Individuals can begin skating before receiving their insurance provided a waiver is signed and kept within Anchor City Roller records.

 

Eligibility

Refereeing is open to all genders. You must be 19 or over to become a referee.

Referees must:

• Be able to identify positions and players from a distance

• Be able to attend 75% of all season bouts (schedule TBA)

 

Responsibilities

This is a demanding volunteer position that requires excellent knowledge of the game and a firm time commitment, but has MANY rewards (see above!) All referees must commit to the following responsibilities:

• Become well versed in the current rule sets (learning these in your own time, as well as league practice time), as well as the newest rule sets and conditions

• Complete the Fresh Meat training program by passing the WFTDA Minimum Required Skating Skills test, as well as the Written Test.

• Pass the Officials Minimum Required Skating Skills Test, as well as the Officials Written Rules Test.

• Learn all Non-Skating Official positions over time, during practice as well as in your own time

​

To sign up or learn more, email us: acrc.officials@gmail.com.