Woohoo, I'm finally official!!

[intechpc]

Hey folks, as many of you know I've been refereeing for an un-sanctioned league. Well this year they've decided to join the WYSA (Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association), a USSF sanctioned league. So as such I had to get my USSF license in order to continue being a referee.

So this weekend we took the Level 8 certification class. Obviously as you can tell from the subject, I passed. In fact, with members of all 6 clubs in our league at this training, me and another gentleman from my club scored the highest in the class on the test (both of us had 92).

So, I've got my 2007 patch and I'm pretty excited. I'm planning to look outside our local district to add additional matches to my schedule. I'm hoping to build up the 100 games needed to upgrade to level 7 as quickly as possible. I do have one question though. In talking with the guys from the Wisconsin referee program, they mentioned that you need to work your way up quick because once you're in your mid 40's the concerns about athletic ability start to kick in and make it harder to move up. I'm 29 right now, and I'm curious how early some of you guys (who are at level 7 or better) started moving up the ladder. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[bluedevils]

...you need to work your way up quick because once you're in your mid 40's the concerns about athletic ability start to kick in and make it harder to move up. I'm 29 right now, and I'm curious how early some of you guys (who are at level 7 or better) started moving up the ladder. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Hey, congratulations! Glad to see you get your USSF Referee badge.

As for your question about age and moving up, it depends how high you are looking to reach and how the people who run the show in your state (SRA, SDA, etc.) approach these matters. Some (most?) states will allow older refs to earn a state badge if they are good enough and can do the job. Other states seem to discourage it almost to the point of flat-out not allowing refs of a certain age to attain a certain badge.

Wisconsin doesn't have tons of refs like Cal South, so it wouldn't surprise me if your aspirations are met with a helping hand. I.e. your state can always use another State Referee in its ranks.

If you have aspirations to earn a National Referee badge, you need to hurry! You probably have time to earn the badge, but you are already too old to have a shot at MLS or to receive serious consideration or visibility from the folks who run the USSF referee program. The reality is, if you don't have your national badge by the time you are 27 or 28 at the latest, your chance of getting a serious shot at MLS or other top-flight assignments in this country (international friendlies, etc.), or even getting invited to academies, is slim to none.

There ARE some national referees in their 40s and even a few in their 50s. In fact, I know of 1 who attained his national badge at age 43. But this is not common at all.

You will definitely need the backing of your state's referee body to pursue a national badge.

[cdin]

So, I've got my 2007 patch and I'm pretty excited. I'm planning to look outside our local district to add additional matches to my schedule. I'm hoping to build up the 100 games needed to upgrade to level 7 as quickly as possible. I do have one question though. In talking with the guys from the Wisconsin referee program, they mentioned that you need to work your way up quick because once you're in your mid 40's the concerns about athletic ability start to kick in and make it harder to move up. I'm 29 right now, and I'm curious how early some of you guys (who are at level 7 or better) started moving up the ladder. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Congratulations on getting certified. Wisconsin can use more referees.

I was first certified in 2003 when I was 27. I upgraded to a 7 2005 when I was 29. So, I know what you have ahead of you.

Upgrading to a 7 is fairly easy no matter what age you are. I just did my advanced recertification this weekend. At the class they said that in Wisconsin their are 2300 grade 8's, 100 grade 7's, 30 grade 6's, 8 grade 5's, 2 grade 4's, & 1 grade 3. They want more 7's and will work with you to gain it.

It will be hard to get 75 centers in the your first year, but it can be done. Skip all tournaments and do a lot of U11 & U12. You can also lie about your game experience, because they won't check it. However, I would suggest waiting an extra year to upgrade, but request an assessment in your first year. Waiting won't hurt your advancement and you will get more experience at the older age groups.

You have probably started to late if you want to be a national ref. It starts to get political when you advance higher than a 7. The state nominates candidates for the national camp, and they start grooming refs for that in their early twenties. However, It is very possible for you to be come a state ref. The assessments for a 6 are much tougher then they were are for a 7, but I have seen several people in their early 40's upgrade to a 6.

Also, you’re not to far from Uihlein Soccer Park, so I would talk to Bill Riche with the Milwaukee Kickers. He can get you a lot of games. His e-mail is billr@mksc.org. Also, go on the WYSA web site and find all the soccer clubs in your area. Send an e-mail to their assignors and you should be able to get a lot of games that way. I know West Bend was actively looking for refs about a year a go.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions let me know.

[intechpc]

Damn you guys are awesome!! Thanks for the info. Yeah I realized I wasn't specific enough as far as my aspirations. I don't think I'd ever want to go beyond the state level, while the prestige of a regional or national certification would be cool I don't think I could make the time commitment needed to handle those types of games.

Bill Riche's name has come up a couple times now so he's definitely someone I'll be contacting. The information about West Bend is very intriguing as well especially given that I live directly in the area. I'll have to get ahold of the assignor out here and see what I can work out with that. I doubt I'll get 100 games in my first year, however the guys I was talking with in the training class did mention that Wisconsin is so desperate for high level ref's that they're willing to "Fast Track" the right candidates. I guess I'll see how that plays out.