Message from the NCWLOA Chair Person

To All NCWLOA MEMBERS: 

Good luck in the 2010 season as we all approach and enter it.  I hope all is well with everyone as we do start.  Furthermore I also hope that everyone is both physically and mentally prepared.  If you are not then you are doing the players and the game itself a tremendous disservice.  If you can no longer keep up with the game then it is time to think about giving it up.  If you do not prepare for the game mentally then again you should not be doing it. 

Remember to work with, and support, your partners.  Your partner is your team on the field and together you should strive to be the invisible third team on that field.  Talk with your partners before the game and at halftime when necessary. If you are the more experienced official then help your partner when you can, but do it quietly and with respect.  

Work hard to keep the game safe and then fair.  Respect the players and the coaches and hopefully they will return that respect.  Remember that the best team should win the game not the most physical and most aggressive. 

Work on your positioning all the time.  Hustle up and down the field.  Don't walk when you can run. An umpire who does not hustle and is out of position most of the time will not earn the respect of the games participants.  We are the highest paid high school women's lacrosse officials in the United States.  We should earn that fee with hustle.  Work to stay outside of play as much as you can and as the lead stay ahead of play as much as physically possible.  As the trail remember to look off ball.  Four eyes on the ball all the time is two too many.  Do not let the game get illegally physical.  Make the necessary calls.  Make the calls that you are expected to. 

We are all part of an exceptional officials association, therefore we should work to be the best we can be.   As members of the NCWLOA and women's lacrosse officials please respect and honor the game.  Enjoy the season and most of all have fun doing it.  Stay well and stay safe. 

Joe Fanning

NCWLOA Chair Person