Introduction
These Terms & Conditions govern use of GotREFS.org by REFerees, umpires, officials, judges, scorekeepers, and other sports officials who use the platform to locate, accept, and manage officiating assignments. By creating an account or using GotREFS.org, Officials agree to these Terms.
1. Role of GotREFS
GotREFS is an online marketplace that connects sports officials and event organizers. GotREFS does not employ, supervise, direct, train, or control officials or event organizers, and is not responsible for the conduct, statements, decisions, or actions of either party.
2. Eligibility and Independent Contractor Status
Officials represent that they are at least 18 or have parental/legal guardian consent where permitted, are legally authorized to work, will provide accurate information, and will maintain required licenses, certifications, and registrations.
I am an independent contractor. Officials are independent contractors, not employees, partners, joint venturers, or agents of GotREFS. Officials acknowledge they are solely responsible for maintaining certifications, following league and governing-body rules, professional conduct, truthful profile information, their own taxes, insurance (if required), compliance with applicable laws, assignments, uniforms, equipment, and transportation.
3. Truthfulness of Information
Users represent and warrant that all information submitted to GotREFS is true, complete, and accurate. All information submitted must be truthful and accurate. Users are solely responsible for the accuracy of all information they provide. GotREFS has no obligation to independently verify every representation made by a user.
Any false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent information—including regarding certifications, experience, insurance, availability, criminal history, identity, events, or payment—may result in immediate suspension or permanent removal from the platform. Users are solely responsible for any damages arising from false statements or misrepresentations. GotREFS does not independently verify every statement made by users and is not liable for reliance on inaccurate information provided by users.
4. Profile Accuracy and Background Verification
Officials must maintain accurate name, contact, sports, certifications, experience, availability, and background verification status. False or misleading information may result in suspension or termination.
Certain assignments may require criminal background screening, SafeSport certification, governing body certifications, or other verification. Verification only confirms that certain credentials or background information were reviewed as of a specific date. It is not a guarantee of honesty, professionalism, future conduct, or suitability. Completion of a background check is not a guarantee or endorsement by GotREFS, and GotREFS does not imply that any official is “safe” or “guaranteed.”
5. Official Responsibilities
Officials agree they are responsible for maintaining certifications, following league and applicable rules, professional conduct, truthful profile information, their own taxes, insurance (if required), and compliance with applicable laws.
6. Assignment Acceptance, Conduct, and Compensation
Officials may accept or decline assignments. Once accepted, Officials agree to arrive on time, be properly equipped and professionally dressed, officiate under applicable rules, and notify the Organizer immediately if an emergency prevents attendance.
Officials must act professionally, treat participants with respect, avoid abuse or discrimination, avoid drugs or alcohol before or during assignments, and avoid conflicts of interest. Compensation is determined by the Organizer, and GotREFS does not guarantee minimum earnings unless otherwise specified.
7. Conduct Disclaimer
GotREFS is not responsible for fraud, misrepresentation, assault, harassment, theft, negligence, rule disputes, officiating decisions, scheduling disputes, payment disputes between parties, defamation, false statements, or any illegal or inappropriate conduct by organizers, officials, or other users.
8. Cancellations, Ratings, Platform Use, and No Circumvention
Officials should provide cancellation notice as soon as possible. Repeated late cancellations or no-shows may affect ratings or result in suspension.
Organizers may rate Officials, and Officials may rate Organizers. Reviews that are false, fraudulent, defamatory, offensive, or discriminatory may be removed.
Officials may not create multiple accounts, share credentials, misrepresent certifications, manipulate reviews, interfere with the platform, or intentionally bypass GotREFS to avoid applicable service fees for 24 months after an introduction through GotREFS.
9. User-Generated Content
Users are solely responsible for content they post, including reviews, ratings, messages, profiles, certifications, comments, and other user-generated content.
10. Safety and Insurance
Officials should report unsafe playing conditions, threats, harassment, assault, and serious misconduct, and should leave an event if personal safety is reasonably at risk.
Officials are encouraged to carry professional liability insurance if appropriate and personal liability coverage if desired. Officials are responsible for any personal insurance they deem appropriate. GotREFS does not provide health insurance, workers’ compensation, disability insurance, liability insurance, vehicle insurance, or any other insurance unless expressly stated in writing.
11. Limitation of Liability
GotREFS is a technology marketplace and does not supervise games or direct officials. To the fullest extent permitted by law, GotREFS shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages arising out of the use of the platform, including without limitation payment disputes, cancellations, injuries, property damage, lost wages, transportation issues, scheduling conflicts, or actions of Organizers, coaches, players, or spectators.
GotREFS’s maximum liability shall not exceed the fees paid to GotREFS during the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.
12. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless GotREFS, its owners, employees, officers, affiliates, and partners from any claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, losses, costs, and attorneys’ fees arising from your conduct, representations, negligence, misconduct, or violation of these Terms or applicable law.
13. Right to Suspend or Remove Users
GotREFS may suspend or permanently remove any user at any time, with or without notice, for any reason it determines appropriate, including without limitation fraud, falsified credentials, unsafe conduct, repeated no-shows, abuse, circumvention, or violation of these Terms or Community Standards.
14. Disputes Between Parties; Dispute Resolution with GotREFS
Any dispute between an official and an event organizer is solely between those parties. GotREFS may investigate complaints but is not obligated to resolve disputes or determine fault.
Disputes between you and GotREFS first proceed through good-faith negotiation, then confidential mediation, then binding arbitration in Orange County, California unless prohibited by law. California law governs these Terms.
15. No Warranty
The platform is provided AS IS and AS AVAILABLE. GotREFS makes no warranty regarding the honesty of users, availability of officials or assignments, qualifications, event quality, payments, outcomes, or officiating performance.
16. Reporting Misconduct
GotREFS may investigate reports of misconduct in its sole discretion and may suspend or remove accounts based on available information. GotREFS is not required to investigate every complaint and does not guarantee any particular resolution. Filing a report does not guarantee any particular outcome.
17. Intellectual Property, Privacy, and Changes
GotREFS software, trademarks, logos, databases, ratings, verification systems, and content remain GotREFS property. Official information is handled under the Privacy Policy. GotREFS may modify these Terms, and continued use constitutes acceptance.