USA Team Handball Opens Call for Candidates for Three (3) Elected Seats on the National Referee Committee (NRC)
USA Team Handball (USATH) is now accepting nominations for three (3) elected positions on the National Referee Committee (NRC). These seats, determined through an election by certified referee members of USATH, play a crucial role in shaping the governance, development, and future of handball officiating in the United States. Working alongside two athlete representatives and a Board of Directors appointee to comprise the six-member NRC, these three elected members will be the primary drivers of referee structure, development, and communication during their four year terms, to begin March 1, 2025.
Referees interested in contributing to the advancement of officiating standards, training programs, and the overall growth of the sport are encouraged to self-nominate for these important leadership positions. The nomination period is open now and will close on February 19, 2025. The election will take place from February 20, 2025, to February 26, 2025.
Role and Responsibilities of NRC Members
Elected NRC members serve as key decision-makers in establishing policies, providing training and education, evaluating referee performance, international preparedness, and ensuring the overall quality and integrity of officiating within USA Team Handball. These positions require individuals with a strong commitment to the development of handball refereeing in the U.S., as outlined in the NRC Constitution.
Election Process and Eligibility
- Eligibility: Candidates must hold a USATH referee certification and be a member of USA Team Handball in good standing as of February 19, 2025.
- Nomination: Referees may submit their self-nomination through the designated online form, available until February 19, 2025 to michael.king@usateamhandball.org & matthew.collins@usateamhandball.org.
- Voting: Certified referee members of USATH will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates from February 20-26, 2025.
- Results: Election results will be announced shortly after voting concludes.
This is an excellent opportunity for passionate referees to take an active role in enhancing the officiating structure and standards in the U.S. handball community. USATH encourages all eligible referees to participate in this election process and help shape the future of handball officiating.
For more information on the NRC, the election process, or to access the nomination form, please visit usateamhandball.org.
Structure of NRC and Timing of Election
As previously announced, the relaunch of USATH's NRC--under its ratified Constitution in the spring of 2024--included a revised structure that added elements of referee-voter choice, athlete representation, and Board oversight across NRC seats. Tugomir "Butso" Anusic was appointed as the Chair of the NRC, a role he had served in the previous iteration of the committee. Initial elections had not yet been held for the two referee-elected seats on the NRC, and Mr. Anusic notified the USATH Board of Directors of his decision to resign earlier this month.
First and foremost, USATH, on behalf of itself and our community, express our great thanks to Mr. Anusic for his many years of service to the organization and leadership of multiple iterations of the NRC. His tenure with USATH has spanned decades with a whistle, up to the highest levels internationally, as well as multiple terms of volunteer work as NRC Chairman. In 2022, he was approved as an IHF PRC Lecturer on behalf of the United States, one of just 33 such distinguished experts worldwide.
In light of the multiple openings across referee-elected and Board-appointed seats, the USATH Board of Directors have elected to utilize the Board-appointed position on the NRC to expand the referee community voice, such that the top (3) three, rather than two (2), candidates from this election may be seated directly to the NRC.
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About USA Team Handball - USA Team Handball is the national governing body for the sport of team handball in the United States, responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels, including grassroots programs, high-performance national teams, local club development, and referee and coach education.
