The third annual AVCA Volleyball Officials Appreciation Week (aka "Officiation Week") kicks off on Friday, September 29 and will last through Saturday, October 7, 2023.

This nine-day period is set aside to make sure our officials know they are an integral part of our sport. As coaches, you are the leaders, student-athletes, parents, and fans will follow your example of ensuring that we treat our officials in a manner befitting their role in helping girls and women’s volleyball become one of the United States most popular sports.

How can you get involved?

1. CHOOSE A MATCH during the week of September 29 – October 7. NOTE: Coaches/teams can participate in more than one match during the week. For example, you might choose to recognize officials at a match as the Home team and work with another school to recognize officials at another match as the Visiting team.

2. COORDINATE WITH THE OPPOSING COACH/TEAM to present a small token of appreciation – goodie bag(s) or certificate of appreciation or something agreed upon – prior to the match before the coin toss. Please include both coaches/teams in the presentation. You can also post signs or banners; for example, “Thank you to tonight’s officials! We appreciate all you do for volleyball!” TO MAKE THIS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL, PLEASE DO NOT PUBLISH NAMES OF OFFICIALS ON PROGRAMS, FLYERS, BANNERS OR SOCIAL MEDIA.

3. TAKE PICTURES. The home team is responsible for pictures, though both teams may want to take photos to each share to social media. A photo that includes the officials, the coaches, and BOTH teams is highly recommended.

4. POST 1-2 PICTURES TO SOCIAL MEDIA, and tag @WisVCA, @AVCAVolleyball, and #OFFICIATIONWEEK. NOTE: You may also want to tag your local officials association, your conference office, and/or the WIAA.

HISTORY of #OfficiationWeek

Now in its third year, #OFFICIATIONWEEK has become a proud annual tradition among hundreds of high school boys and girls, and college men’s and women’s volleyball teams from 32 states including D.C. The annual event is hosted by the AVCA High School Leadership Council. While the athletes, coaches and teams plan and lead the individual officials appreciation events, the national campaign’s success is also credited to AVCA’s Affiliate Program Partners; high school athletic associations; intercollegiate athletic conferences; public and private high schools and universities; and USA Volleyball Regions who encouraged their teams to participate.