The goal of the Mentor Program is to increase the number of new mat officials who participate actively in California events. All M3 mat officials at California state tournaments are matched with Mentors as part of the mat assignment process. Mentors are M2 or higher mat officials who help others develop their skills in a supportive manner that makes them feel welcome as a valued part of our wrestling family. State tournaments are three-day events, starting with mat assignments on Friday night and concluding on Sunday afternoon. The Mentors work on the same mat with their mentees on Saturday, the most difficult day for most new officials.
Mentors take time to help the new mat official have a successful event overall.
In addition to giving technical help on rules and tournament procedures, mentors work in a supportive way to welcome newcomers at social events, make introductions, and generally provide a friendly face in a new setting. On the contrary, the mentor should consciously model that it is OK to not know all the answers. Answers can be sought together by looking in the rulebook or by consulting other officials. Benefits can be defined for the mentees, the mentors, the athletes, and for California USA Wrestling as an organization. New officials will improve their skills if they keep coming back to state tournaments where they can get feedback and strong mat practice.