Accreditation

Below you will find the umpiring policies for the National Rules and Qualifying Examinations and the Annual Grading.

These policies were first documented in this format in 1995 and are continually under review.  As a result of the review at the National Staff meeting in June 2008 a number of revisions were made.  We know these policies will assist you in the development of your umpiring career and help you with your career path planning. We recommend you discuss your career plan with your Local Association Chief Umpire in the first instance and then with your Regional Director should you require further advice.

EXAMINATION SYSTEM - SNZ Rules and Qualifying Examination

The SNZ Rules Examination will be set and marked by a National Umpire Staff appointee. The SNZ Rules Examination date will be set by SNZ National Umpire Staff and will normally be set for the third Monday in October of each year. This may be an open book examination for all grade levels.  Association results will be published and forwarded to each Local Umpires' Association for further distribution.  Successful Level 1 candidates who obtained a SNZ Rules Examination pass mark of 60% or more will obtain a Level 2 grading and will be eligible to apply for the SNZ Qualifying Examination (Level 3) in the same season. This pass mark will be valid for three seasons.

Applications for the NZ Qualifying Examination will be accepted from Associations on the annual Umpires Application for Selection to National Tournaments.  Level 3 candidates will only be examined for the NZ Badge (Level 4) after having achieved the Level 4 NZ Rules Examination pass mark of 70%.  Commencing in the 2008-09 season a pass mark must be achieved in the same season to be eligible for the Level 4 field examination. 

Successful Level 3 candidates will not be eligible for NZ Badge examination in the same season. Each Local Umpires' Association is responsible for arranging the NZ Rules Examination within their local area. Candidates may apply through their Local Umpires' Association to sit the NZ Rules Examination orally. Supervisors may sit this Examination.

GRADING SYSTEM

Level 1 - Local Association Grading.

Local Association Umpire who has not sat and passed the SNZ Rules Examination.  Parent Associations are requested to keep an annual list of Level 1 umpires and pass this list to their local umpires' association for their inclusion in the National Grading list.  May apply to umpire at under 13 and under 15 National Tournaments within their region. Expenses will not be payable.

Level 2 - Passed NZ Rules Examination (hold a current pass mark of 60%. Valid for three years).

May apply to be examined for NZ Qualifying Examination.  Examination will be conducted at any approved two-day tournament within their region and may be undertaken during the same season.  Examiners will be RDU's (or a qualified person delegated to that responsibility by the UIC).  The Examiner will co-ordinate and report all results to the UIC.  May apply to attend under 15, under 17 and under 19 National Tournaments within their region.  May be examined at these tournaments by the TCU who will co-ordinate and report to the UIC. 

Level 3 - Passed NZ Qualifying Examination.

May apply to be examined for NZ Umpires Badge (Practical).  Will only be examined after having achieved the Level 4 SNZ Rules Examination pass mark (70%).  Commencing in the 2008-09 season a pass mark must be achieved in the same season to be eligible for the Level 4 field examination.  Examination will be conducted either: (a) At a National Tournament (except the Inter-Association and Open Club Tournaments) or; (b) At an approved tournament (2 day minimum).  Approved tournaments for such examination will be decided on merit by the UIC. Examiner will be the UIC, or a person delegated to that responsibility by, and who will report directly to the UIC. NOTE: SNZ Qualifying and NZ Badge (Practical) may not be undertaken in the same season.  May additionally apply to attend any National Tournaments within their region.
Level 4 - NZ Badge holder.

May apply to attend any National Tournament.  For appointments to Inter-Association, or Inter-Club tournaments and to ensure priority appointments to other tournaments, must be umpiring regularly in local fixtures.

Level 5 - Senior NZ Badge holder (Senior Appointments).

Appointments made by the UIC from evaluations and recommendations received from the RDU. As for Level 4, but regular attendee at National Tournaments who attains consistent appointments at senior level.
Involved with local association umpire programme.  Available for appointment as a National TCU.

Level 6 - Regional International Umpire (Senior New Zealand Badge holder).

Appointments made by the UIC from major evaluations.  Eligible for appointment to Internal Internationals and selected overseas tours or exchanges.  Involved with national/local association umpire programme.  Available for appointment as National TCU.

Level 7 - ISF Certificate holder (International Umpire).

Eligible for appointment to World Championships and overseas tours. Appointments by SNZ from recommendation by the UIC.  Involved in national umpire training and administration.  Eligible for appointment as National TCU.  Priority appointments (full internationals). 

This grading will remain current for the period specified by the International Softball Federation.

Notes:

1) Only umpires active during the previous season will be graded.  An active umpire’s game numbers for the season are to be included in the Local Association Annual Report.   Electronic copies of Annual Reports are to be sent to RDU’s by the end of April each year.

Commencing in the 2008-09 season the minimum number of games per season to retain an active grading, in addition to officiating at an u17and above National Tournament in that season, will be:

Level 5 – 20
Level 6 – 30
Level 7 – 40

Umpires who fail to meet the minimum requirements will retain their grade that season followed by the letter “R”.  Special circumstances will be taken into consideration by the NUS.

2) Re-entry for umpires graded Level 5 and above who were inactive during the previous two seasons will be at Level 4 unless special application is sought.  These applications must be supported by the applicant's Local Association and will receive consideration on a case-by-case basis.

3) Levels 5 and 6 gradings will remain current for two years (minimum) from promotion, provided the recipient remains active in umpiring.

4) Further to Note 3) Umpires will serve two years minimum in Grades 4 to 6 inclusive before being considered for promotion. Earlier promotion shall apply only in exceptional circumstances.

5) Umpires Level 4 and above should complete the annual SNZ Rules Exam. Answer sheets are not required to be returned to the Rules Examiner.

6) SNZ will continue to make available an opportunity to attend approved ISF International Certification Clinics between ISF Oceania Regional Clinics. The following policy will apply:

A candidate must have the prior approval of the UIC and SNZ before applying to attend any such clinic. They must have previously attended an ISF clinic and attained a minimum mark of 88% or above. They must be actively umpiring at senior level for the two seasons preceding the clinic.

7) All holders of ISF certification and active in the umpiring programme be graded as Level 7.  Umpires not available for ISF appointments will be graded Level 7 “R” (see note 1 above).  Umpires who are not available for ISF appointments but fully active in the umpiring programme be will be graded Level 7 “A”.