BALTIMORE - The US Lacrosse Men�s Division Officials Council (MDOC) is unveiling Level 1 of its Officials Training Program, a regional-based effort to develop youth and boys� lacrosse officials, as announced by Jennifer Allen, Director of Programs and Services.

The program, which incorporates the officials training manuals and videos with practical time on the field, represents the latest step by US Lacrosse to alleviate a nationwide shortage of officials. The MDOC has created the Youth Officiating Committee (YOC) to administer the program.

"US Lacrosse remains committed to recruiting and developing officials for lacrosse, and the release of Level 1 of our Officials Training Program demonstrates that commitment. We recognize the need for lacrosse officials throughout the country, particularly on the youth level, and this step will provide the resources and training necessary to convert hundreds of lacrosse enthusiasts into active participants in the game," said Allen.

YOC representatives will be established for each of US Lacrosse�s 49 regional chapters, and the MDOC will establish YOC representatives in areas not governed by a US Lacrosse chapter. YOC representatives will coordinate the distribution of training materials, including manuals, rulebooks, and tests, and on-field training sessions, and will maintain lists of officials that successfully complete the program. US Lacrosse members who pass training requirements will be assigned games and wear an MDOC patch on their uniforms. Enrollment in the training program is open to any lacrosse enthusiast for $15.

"This is an essential first step. It�s an important program that finally unites the entire country with one set of documents and training materials. We�ll distribute these materials through US Lacrosse chapters and Youth Officiating Committee representatives with the intention of evaluating the program next year," said Rod Korba, chair of the YOC.

The release of Level 1 of the Officials Training Program follows the completion of "The Third Team on the Field," an officials training video available online at www.lacrosse.org, and the launch of "Recruitment and Retention" campaigns by the US Lacrosse men�s and women�s divisions officials councils.

For more information on the Officials Training Program, interested persons may email [email protected]. Lacrosse enthusiasts interested in women�s lacrosse officiating may email [email protected].