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PHILOSOPHY
The Gateway Region philosophy is to develop junior athletes as officials and as players.  The Officials' Board requires that all junior teams participating in Gateway Region tournaments have trained officials.  Our emphasis is placed on training the teams to officiate and function as a unit rather than require individuals to be rated and certified.

Initial training is required prior to participating in any tournaments.  A practical evaluation will be conducted in a gymnasium using a game situation format.  An approved evaluator will assist the coaches with training their players to officiate (referee, keep score, line judge, etc.). The evaluator will assist the coach with development and training of their team so that they may better understand their role and responsibility as officials.  The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that all teams know how to officiate prior to the playing season. Coaches will be required to continue to develop and train their athletes as officials throughout the season.
TEAM REQUIREMENTS
Each participating team is required to have a minimum of one 1st Referee, one 2nd Referee, one Scorekeeper (recommended to have an assistant scorekeeper to track the Libero and aid with the visual score) and two Line Judges in attendance at every tournament. A maximum of four people are allowed at the scorekeeping table: scorer, flipper, libero tracker and additional person in training or supervising. These officials need to officiate during any pool play match or tournament playoff match.
TEAM FEES
If teams do not have certified officials for matches they are scheduled to officiate, they will pay a fee of $60 per official needed. This non-refundable fee is paid to the Tournament Director, who will then ensure there are certified officials to officiate at that time. Adult officials who work junior events must be background screened. It is recommended that each certified replacement official receive $20 per match. This fee does not "buy" the rest of the officiating team. The team that is scheduled to officiate must still provide line judges and a visual score operator.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
EVERY SEASON, a team must:
1.   Register the team and all individuals associated with that team.  (Parents wanting to participate as referees and/or scorekeepers must register and every other year pass a background screen.  A reduced cost of $15 is offered for this membership category).
2.   Attend a clinic given by an approved clinician.
3.   Complete and pass an open-book written examination.
4.   Complete and pass a practical evaluation given by an approved evaluator.
      *  Certification expires January 1 of the next year.
CLINICS
1.   If your club has an approved clinician and evaluator you will need to obtain all pertinent materials from the Gateway Region office. You will also need to inform the office personnel of your scheduled dates for conducting the required clinics and practical evaluations at least two weeks in advance.
2.   If your club does not have an approved clinician and/or evaluator, but does have persons interested in obtaining approval, Train the Trainer clinics will be offered for administering referee and scorekeeping clinics. You will be responsible for obtaining all pertinent materials from the Gateway Region office. You will also need to inform the office personnel of your scheduled dates for conducting the required clinics and practical evaluations at least two weeks in advance.
3.   If your club does not have an approved clinician or evaluator, you will be required to contact the office as soon as possible. Depending on the size and location of your club, one or more of the following options may be available:
            a.   A region approved clinician and evaluator will be sent to your area to conduct the clinic and practical evaluation.
            b.   Attend a clinic and practical evaluation being held by another club in your area
            c.   Attend a region sponsored clinic and practical evaluation.
      The region requires a two week time period in order to coordinate clinics and clinicians. You will be responsible for obtaining all pertinent materials from the Gateway Region office.
PRACTICAL EVALUATIONS
1.   Practical evaluations must be conducted in a gymnasium during a game situation. (Minimum of 18 participants required. Two (2) teams playing and one (1) team officiating).
2.   An approved evaluator will conduct all practical evaluations. Date, time, and place is required to be approved two weeks in advance.
3.  Must be completed one (1) week prior to competing in a sanctioned tournament.
JUNIOR OFFICIATING POLICIES
*When players are officiating (at any age group), it is mandatory that the officiating team’s coach or responsible adult remain at courtside for the duration of the match.
*Coaches, parents and all others are not allowed to stand on/at the referee stand with the referee during junior events. If assistance is needed, it is suggested that the coach position themselves across from the 1st referee either behind the scorer’s table or by acting as the 2nd referee.
* A maximum of four people are allowed at the scorekeeping table: scorer, flipper, libero tracker and additional person in training or supervising.
* A Junior Officials’ Mentoring Program has been implemented for the 11s and 12s Division. When available, the region will provide one mentor per each court to assist/critique the officiating throughout the pool play and then referee the playoffs. Adult mentors must be background screened. If no mentors are at a tournament, only adults or juniors, 15 years and older, are allowed to be the 1st referee; exceptions must be approved by the Tournament Director.
* If a junior player is refereeing a playoff match, the Tournament Director has the authority to replace that official if deemed necessary, unless the player is an adult certified referee.
PLAYOFF REQUIREMENTS
*Teams not participating in playoffs cannot be required to perform any officiating duties in playoffs.
* Teams that advance to playoffs and then cannot continue playing for any reason must still fulfill any officiating duty required of the losing team in bracket play.
* It is the responsibility of the individual teams to check the standings for playoff berths and/or officiating duties.
TEAM PENALTIES
1.   If your team does not attend and complete their clinic requirements one (1) week prior to competing, you will not be eligible to play in any Gateway Region tournaments until compliance is met or officials fees are paid (preferably in advance) to the Tournament Director.
2.   Written reports of repeated unsatis factory officiating will result in a review by the Officials' Board or their designee and another practical clinic may be required. If subsequent practical clinics are required, a $75 fee per clinic must be paid to the Region. This fee will cover the costs associated with the clinic.
3.  Continued problems may result in team suspensions.
* Teams that arrive late for officiating duties will be charged a $100 fine, payable to the Tournament Director to pay the replacement officials (1st Referee, 2nd Referee and Scorer paid $20 each, the visual Scorer, each line judge, and the Tournament Director paid $10 each). In addition, the team will be penalized one point per minute late in the next set up to a maximum of one set.
* Teams that do not stay for officiating assignments will be fined $150 payable to the Gateway Region to, in part, pay the replacement officials (1st Referee, 2nd Referee and Scorer paid $20 each, each line judge and the visual Scorer paid $10 each, Tournament Director paid $20 and $40 to the Gateway Region).
* Teams with outstanding fines may not participate in any sanctioned USAV event until all debts are paid.