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.

Register to Participate

Name Cues Test Procedures

WFTDA Team Name Cue Test Response Form

Guide to Response Form Questions

Update – September 2026

WFTDA has reviewed feedback from the 2026 name cues test to date, and found it to be very positive overall. Based on key learnings from the provided feedback, WFTDA is issuing updated guidance for continued testing of the procedures. The Name Cues Test Procedures document has been updated to reflect that guideance.

Testing Information

  • Testing will continue through October 15, 2026 at which time WFTDA will transition to the implementation phase with a goal to move to standard use of name cues by January 1, 2027.
  • Leagues are not required to, but may choose to register with WFTDA to receive communications about the test and standards change, using this form.
  • Individuals participating in testing should continue to submit feedback using the same feedback form.

Cues Procedures

  • WFTDA’s Name Cues Panel will not be assigning cues to participating teams. Instead, teams will select their own depending on the needs of the game, and the procedures document provides advice on how to choose a good cue.
  • Suggested procedures are included as to how to record name cues on the IGRF and regarding the use of name cues on the scoreboard.
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