Team Name Cues Test
Test Season for WFTDA Implementation of Standardized Name Cues
The WFTDA is conducting a test season to try out a change to the way Officials identify skaters when calling penalties, and collect feedback from the community before we implement this change and make it part of our standard practices.
The test will run from February 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026.
In response to continued concerns raised by WFTDA members around the issue of BIPOC skaters being misidentified by their skin color rather than jersey color, and in alignment with WFTDA’s values of equity, safety, and inclusion, WFTDA’s Board of Directors has created a proposal that recommends piloting a test period of gameplay to help implement a change to the verbal cues used by Officials when assessing penalties. In the test, Officials will identify skaters receiving a penalty by calling a shortened form of their team name rather than their team’s jersey color. For example, Officials would reference “Cape – 1211 – PENALTY” or “London – 1002 – PENALTY,” rather than the current cue requirement of announcing Color – Number – Penalty. [Read the full Test Season for WFTDA Implementation of Standardized Name Cues – Proposal]
This test is being conducted in parallel to JRDA’s transitional rollout phase and we are utilizing the same survey as theirs, adjusted for WFTDA and WFTDA processes.
Any team, league, or event is welcome to participate in the test. Interested parties should complete the registration form to express your interest and to help WFTDA assign an appropriate name cue. Anyone participating in a test event can submit the response form and provide feedback on their experience.
WFTDA asks that teams and leagues practice the cues over the full period of the test in order to gain more experience and to allow for respondents to assess the change as they become more familiar with the practices.
WFTDA Team Name Cue Test Response Form
Guide to Response Form Questions