Officials
OBRA’s Officiating Program
Officiating is one of the critical pieces of bicycle racing. The role of officials is to ensure fair and safe competition.
Have any questions about the officiating program? E-mail Terri Camp, the Officials Program Director.
Official’s Resources
For new and seasoned officials, find the latest forms and links here. These are helpful for judges and referees.
Google Group
Check out our Google Group for officials’ discussions. You will need to register and be approved before you can read and post.
Interested in Officiating?
Officiating is one of the critical pieces of bicycle racing. The role of officials is to ensure fair and safe competition.
We value the following characteristics in all officials:
- Professionalism
- Dedication
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Humility
Our team is dedicated to providing the best customer service to our racers, our promoters, and the general community. We all work together as a team.
The two main types of officials are a referee and a judge. A referee works to ensure safety and fair competition. A judge works to ensure fairness and provide accurate and timely results.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can attend one of our yearly official training that happens in February. At times we hold smaller regional training. You can also shadow an experienced official. You can check the OBRA calendar to get information on the annual training. For more information or to find out how you can shadow an official contact, Candi Murray.
You can purchase official’s clothing at a nominal cost.
Yes. Officials are paid unless prior different arrangements have been made with a promoter. There is a reduced rate for trainees who are shadowing experienced officials.
No. You are neither an employee of OBRA or the promoter. You are an independent contractor of the event promoter. OBRA only facilitates the assignment of officials to events.
You are covered by OBRA insurance. But if you officiate on a consistent basis, we recommend that you join the National Association of Sports Officials. Membership provides up to $3 million per occurrence, with an overall policy aggregate of $4 million for claims for bodily injury, property damage and personal injury, sporting activities that are organized by recognized sports organizations, leagues, and associations and while assigning, attending seminars, conferences, camps, clinics, and similar meetings. NASO membership costs $103 per year and you can fill out the application here. If you drive your vehicle you will need to have a driver’s license and valid car insurance.
No. But you will be required to either shadow or gain experience under the supervision of a seasoned official.
Absolutely. If you have officiated with other cycling organizations, we would love to have you officiate for our organization!
Yes.
On January 1, 2014, an Oregon law, Senate Bill 721, took effect. This law affects all sports league coaches (including managers), league governing bodies, nonschool athletic teams (which are teams with persons under age 18 and not affiliated with a public school in Oregon), and referee governing bodies and referees.
The law mandates that each league governing body and each referee governing body must ensure that the coaches, managers, and referees “receive annual training to learn how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion and how to seek proper medical treatment for a person suspected of having a concussion,” and follow certain guidelines when a concussion is suspected. “Training to learn how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion and how to seek proper medical treatment for a person suspected of having a concussion” is now required annually.
Also, a coach or a manager may not allow a minor to participate if a minor player exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion following an observed or suspected blow to the head or body, or has been diagnosed with a concussion. The player must not be allowed to participate until at least one day after the player experienced a blow to the head or body and only after the member no longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion, and after the player receives a medical release from a health care professional.
Senate Bill 721 also states that “a referee may not allow a member of a non-school athletic team to participate in any athletic event during which the member exhibited signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion following an observed or suspected blow to the head or body.” Please assist the referee by supporting them in the execution of the requirements of SB 721.