Year-round education designed to help officials grow beyond certification.
One of the most significant initiatives launching for the 2026–27 school year is the WOA Skills Lab—a comprehensive online learning platform designed to help officials continue developing long after earning their certification.
Last year, WOA provided the Referee course, What It Takes, as a member benefit to all officials at no additional charge. Beginning this season, that program will become part of the WOA Skills Lab, expanding its reach while establishing a centralized destination for year-round education and professional development.
Certification marks the beginning of an official’s journey—not the end. The most accomplished officials understand that mastery comes through experience, self-evaluation, and an ongoing commitment to learning. The WOA Skills Lab was built around that philosophy.
The Skills Lab will feature an expanding library of online learning opportunities designed to support officials at every stage of their careers, with new content added throughout the year.
By integrating What It Takes into the Skills Lab, WOA is creating more than an online course—it is building a comprehensive development platform focused on the skills that often receive limited attention during traditional certification programs.
The launch of the WOA Skills Lab reflects WOA’s commitment to helping officials reach their full potential. By providing accessible, high-quality learning opportunities throughout the year, the Skills Lab gives every official the opportunity to sharpen their skills, strengthen their confidence, and continue growing throughout every stage of their officiating career.