The mission of TRUE is to build a community of USAT referees.

We do this in three ways:

1. Communications
In meetings at national events, via email and on our website, we serve as an up-to-date and reliable source for news and information of general interest to referees--events and activities, rule changes and interpretation, etc.

2. Professional development
We work with the USAT Referee leadership to assist with or augment their training efforts, in order to improve the professional performance of our members.

3. Recruitment We actively work to bring new referees into the USAT ranks.

TRUE (Taekwondo Referees United for Excellence) began in 1992. The organization was originally established out of collective frustration, as a “Referees’ Union” to help improve the working conditions of USTU referees, which at that time were considerably less than adequate.

Today, our working environment is vastly improved, and we have become a large group of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to bringing a greater degree of professionalism to the US referee team. Our elected officials and members include some of our country’s most senior International Referees and long-time national level referees, as well as one-seminar beginners.

While we concentrate mainly on issues that affect the referee and his or her craft, these matters often overlap every facet of a sanctioned competition. So in TRUE, you’ll find not just referees--but athletes, coaches, parents and others.

All are welcome. We all have more to learn, and we each have something valuable to contribute.

In support of our mission to build a community of U.S.referees, we host open meetings, usually at national Taekwondo events. In this loosely structured forum, members can discuss issues that are important to them, and share ideas and opinions with their fellow referees. Every two years, we elect officers.

We have a set of by-laws, and are currently in the process of revising them. We expect to present them to the membership for approval at the next meeting. If you are a TRUE member, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions about how we can make the by-laws--and our organization--better.

In general, our members communicate via email, and an online discussion group on this site, which anyone is welcome to join.