Phoenix — USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the game of pickleball in the United States, today announced a new partnership with the National Association of Sports Umpires (NASO) that will provide new resources and benefits to USA Pickleball’s nearly 1,000 umpires.
USA Pickleball umpires will participate in NASO’s group membership program, which will provide substantial benefits, including significantly reduced membership dues and a dedicated pickleball webpage through NASO’s “Yes to Umpires” program. Additionally, USA Pickleball is helping to sponsor NASO’s annual Sports Umpire Summit and will be one of approximately 100 summit-supporting organizations at this summer’s event, which will be held in Atlanta from July 28-30.
“On behalf of the NASO Board of Directors, I want to commend USA Pickleball for their commitment to providing the best possible support for their umpires,” he said. NASO President Bill Topp“Not only does this partnership provide unparalleled educational resources and the best referee insurance in the country, it speaks to USA Pickleball’s commitment to supporting sports referees and, in turn, the entire sports refereeing industry.”
As a mission-driven educational nonprofit organization, NASO advocates for excellence in officiating, provides education and support to sports officials, and leads the way with comprehensive officiating insurance protection, including liability coverage, umpire assignment and game call insurance, assault protection insurance, and legal and information counseling services for members.
“We are pleased to partner with NASO, the leading advocacy group for sports officials across the nation, to provide our more than 800 pickleball umpires with the resources and benefits that come with membership in such a respected and long-established organization,” he said. Tom Tadler, USA Pickleball Managing Director of Umpires“Our sport is growing rapidly and our national officiating program is evolving as well. This partnership will be an integral part of that program and our umpires will benefit greatly from building relationships across the officiating industry through NASO.”
Ken Koster, Chief Business Development Officer at NASO“NASO is committed to advocating, educating and above all protecting USA Pickleball umpires, just as we do for all of our members. This partnership sends a strong message that umpires are essential to the game. We are pleased with the opportunity to offer umpires unparalleled benefits and services and strengthen the support and commitment they already receive from USA Pickleball.”
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About USA Pickleball
USA Pickleball is the national governing body (NGB) for the sport of pickleball in the United States. Its mission is to foster the development and growth of the sport while sanctioning events and providing annual members with premier tournaments, educational opportunities, player rankings, official rules, and other exclusive benefits. USA Pickleball is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation governed and operated by a Board of Directors and national office staff who provide guidance and infrastructure for the continued expansion of the sport.
About the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO)
The National Association of Sports Referees is the world’s largest organization for referees at all levels and in all sports. Over 30,000 sports referees from around the world belong to NASO, enjoying the benefits of membership and supporting an organization that advocates for sports referees and helps them maintain the highest level of officiating skills.
USA Pickleball Media Contact:
Melissa Chan, Director of Communications and Content
[email protected]
NASO Media Contact:
Joe Jarosz, Deputy Editor
Referee/National Sports Referees Association
[email protected]
