US Squash believes players who know the rules and play in competently refereed matches benefit from fairer outcomes and safer, more enjoyable squash. To that end at the 2002 U.S. Championships, US Squash offered its third "Referee Rally," a set of activities focused on rules and referees. The Rally included an Advanced Seminar for Referees and Players, a Rules Clinic for Players, an opportunity to write the Club-level referee examination, and formal assessments for aspiring referees.

Graham Waters from Canada, the Director of the World Squash Federation's Rules and Referee Committee and World Referee, presided over the five-hour Advanced Referee Symposium on Thursday. Fifteen students participated in discussions that covered: a review of the changes to the rules that became effective in May 2001; a video session on swing interference; the importance and purpose of assessment; a video presentation called "Letcetera"; an overview of the WSF publication "Tournament Referee Guidelines"; a third video on minimal interference; and finally an open question and answer session.

Rob Thompson, a National Referee from Atlanta, conducted the well-received Rules Clinic for Players for eight attendees.

Finally, about 12 formal assessments were completed while candidate referees worked U.S. Championships matches. As a result of his proven competence handling the most difficult matches, Paul Ansdell was promoted to the top level, the fifteenth referee to reach National Referee status. Three referees were promoted to State level: Jonathan Goldstein, Fred Sadler and Ranil Goonesekera.

It was a busy and successful Rally where the recently produced CD-ROM "KNOW THE RULES" was offered for public sale for the first time.

Graham Waters' overall assessment was: " All of the National Referees justified their status and performed very well. US Squash now has a very good core of National Referees. It is now time, however, to encourage the next wave in order to supplement and take over from this top group over the coming years."