About World Squash Officiating
WSO was established in a partnership between the WSF and the PSA to steer squash officiating worldwide.
THE WSO VISION – To professionalise and standardise squash officiating worldwide so that everyone involved in squash can benefit from its capability to improve their personal squash experience at every level.
THE WSO MISSION – We are committed to enhancing the experience of anyone involved in squash at any level by producing high quality, engaging, consistent, and informative content that increases knowledge and deepens understanding of squash through the rules.
WSO is committed to working with Regions, Member Nations, Events, Referees, Players, and Coaches to improve everyone’s squash experience.
- Referees benefit from a pathway that filters down from the professional game all the way to grassroots officiating. Providing you with the most up to date learning resources and information.
- Coaches benefit from understanding what to coach your players by gaining a deeper understanding of the referee’s line of thinking.
- Players benefit from clarity of the rules, understanding what the referees are looking for, and learning how you can solve traffic issues or other challenges you may face during matches.
WSO offers a complete pathway of courses from grassroots to the pinnacle of the game. From a basic rules test (Level 0) through to the highest level of elite Referees (Level 5), worldsquashofficiating.com is a platform for everyone wishing to improve their knowledge of the game with the aim of creating a worldwide standard in refereeing and a clear referee pathway.
Do you want to get to the next level? register now for a free account and begin your journey today.
The guidelines below outline the aims and objectives of each level.
Level 0 (Rules)
Aims
- To provide a basic overview and introduction to the Rules of Squash for anyone wishing to have an entry level understanding.
Objectives
- To safely participate in a game of Squash.
Assessment
- Basic online rules test.
Level 1 (Club)
Aims
- Introductory level course for those wishing to enhance their play or build their basic officiating skills.
Objectives
- To demonstrate basic refereeing skills
- Increased Squash knowledge
- Ability to referee matches
Assessments
- Completion of modular course work and periodic online testing.
Level 2 (Tournament)
Aims
- To develop the referee and further expand knowledge beyond the basic understanding of officiating.
Objectives
- Understand the rules and their application
- Understand player movement
- Have good presentation and control of the match
- Have good communication with players
- Understand the roles of Referee/ Marker
Assessments
- Modular coursework and periodic online testing
- Production of relevant activity level
- Submission of portfolio including self- reflection /feedback /performance appraisals
- Approval by member nation panel
Level 3 (National)
Aims
- Further developing officiating skills to a national level by enhancing knowledge, understanding and interpretation of the rules.
Objectives
- Have a comprehensive understanding of the rules and their application
- Beginning to show understanding of elite player movement and play
- Have good presentation and control of the match
- Have good composure and body language under stress
- Have clear communication with players
- Undertake the roles of the Referee/ Marker
Assessments
- Modular coursework and periodic online testing
- Production of approved activity level
- Submission of portfolio including self- reflection /feedback /performance appraisals
- Approval by member nation panel
Level 4 (Continental)
Aims
- Builds upon advanced knowledge and experience by focusing on the subtlety and attention to detail required to officiate at major national and international events.
Objectives
- Excellent understanding of the rules and their application
- Understanding of elite level player movement and play
- Excellent presentation and control of the match
- Very good composure and body language under stress
- Clear communication with players
- Undertake the role of referee/ marker
Assessments
- Modular coursework and periodic online testing
- Production of approved activity level
- Submission of portfolio including self- reflection /feedback /performance appraisals
- Approval by WSO panel
Level 5 (World)
Aims
- Highest level of refereeing achievable in squash, developing a complete understanding of officiating skills to referee at the pinnacle of the game.
Objectives
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the rules and their application
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of elite player movement and play
- Demonstrate advanced presentation and control of a match
- Demonstrate advanced composure and body language under stress
- Demonstrate clear communication with players
Assessments
- Modular coursework and periodic online testing
- Production of approved activity level
- Submission of portfolio including self- reflection /feedback /performance appraisals
- Approval by WSO panel