How To Join

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Send us an e-mail at info@besoa.org and we will get back in touch with you.

Will I need equipment and if so, how do I get it?

As independent contractors, each official must provide and maintain the professional appearance of his or her own equipment. BESOA provides links to reputable businesses who sell officiating uniforms and equipment on the HOME page. Additionally, our members occasionally update their equipment and will offer their used equipment at a significantly reduced price. Softball Starter Packages usually run about $175 - 150 and Volleyball is about $100.

Where are you located?

BESOA's home base is located in Gainesville and we assign officials to middle and high school locations throughout north central Florida. Counties include: Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, Union.

What do I have to do to become an Official?

To officiate in Florida schools, each official must be a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) www.fhsaa.org Additionally, FHSAA requires each official to join a local association, such as BESOA. The steps toward officiating are:

Complete an FHSAA New Official's Application
- https://i.fhsaa.org/officials/OfficialRegistration.aspx
Pay the FHSAA fees
Contact BESOA
Check calendar for the next meeting and a map
Attend a new member orientation
Pass a Jessica Lunsford Act (JLA) background check at a local school district office
For more information check out www.becomeanofficial.org - the FHSAA official recruiting site

What schools do you cover?

BESOA has officiating opportunities in numerous public and private middle and high schools in 13 counties throughout north central Florida. BESOA school coverage for volleyball and softball ranges from:

Cedar Key in the southwest;
Mayo in the northwest;
Jasper in the north;
Cross City in the west;
Starke and Palatka in the east; and
South to northern Marion County