Recruiting Referees?

[intechpc]

Is anyone else in a position similar to mine where you need to recruit referee's for a rec league. I am the head ref (and therefore assignor) for our club which is part of a larger WYSA sanction league. For the home club is responsible for providing ref's for the match so each club as its own pool of referee's. The problem I'm running into (and I know this is not uncommon especially at a rec level) is finding enough people willing to get trained (at club expense) to referee.

So I'm curious what others have done to try and recruit additional referees. At this point I've got a large number of games where I just can't field a 3-man team. In the level 9 training that many of our ref's took, they explained a method of using a CR and single AR and I'm going to pursue that when needed. However I'd like to be as professional as possible, even if this is a rec league, by having a full 3-man team at each sanctioned game (levels U10-U14). Any thoughts you guys can offer or tecniques you've used that were successful I'd love to hear!! Thanks.

[Ref Flunkie]

Is anyone else in a position similar to mine where you need to recruit referee's for a rec league. I am the head ref (and therefore assignor) for our club which is part of a larger WYSA sanction league. For the home club is responsible for providing ref's for the match so each club as its own pool of referee's. The problem I'm running into (and I know this is not uncommon especially at a rec level) is finding enough people willing to get trained (at club expense) to referee.

So I'm curious what others have done to try and recruit additional referees. At this point I've got a large number of games where I just can't field a 3-man team. In the level 9 training that many of our ref's took, they explained a method of using a CR and single AR and I'm going to pursue that when needed. However I'd like to be as professional as possible, even if this is a rec league, by having a full 3-man team at each sanctioned game (levels U10-U14). Any thoughts you guys can offer or tecniques you've used that were successful I'd love to hear!! Thanks.


Pay well.

We are turning away referees for our league. Not sure if all leagues are that way in the area, but I know there are not enough assignments to go around at the younger ages here.

[IASocFan]

We required every team to get at least one parent trained. We also encourage u14-u19 players to get certified. Some of the select teams required all players to get the training - telling them to be good players you needed to know and understand the rules. Most U8 and U10 games are refereed by 12-15 year olds. There are quiet a few high school kids that have moved up to u12. Frequently when the kids get training, a parent or two decide they want to take the class, too - particularly when they have to transport the kid to and from class!

[whitehound]

Is anyone else in a position similar to mine where you need to recruit referee's for a rec league. I am the head ref (and therefore assignor) for our club which is part of a larger WYSA sanction league. For the home club is responsible for providing ref's for the match so each club as its own pool of referee's. The problem I'm running into (and I know this is not uncommon especially at a rec level) is finding enough people willing to get trained (at club expense) to referee.

So I'm curious what others have done to try and recruit additional referees. At this point I've got a large number of games where I just can't field a 3-man team. In the level 9 training that many of our ref's took, they explained a method of using a CR and single AR and I'm going to pursue that when needed. However I'd like to be as professional as possible, even if this is a rec league, by having a full 3-man team at each sanctioned game (levels U10-U14). Any thoughts you guys can offer or tecniques you've used that were successful I'd love to hear!! Thanks.
Rabidly protect your current referees and your league will get a reputation as one that they want to work. Dont let referee abuse happen at all and make sure the referees are treated with respect.

[NHRef]

couple of things:

- you don't need 3 ref teams until the kids are using offside, we run our 6v6, which I think is up to U10 or U11, with 1 ref.

- Hit the teenagers at the high school soccer teams, many refs come from teenagers who have played but now can ref.

- AS MENTIONED RABIDLY PROTECT THE YOUTH REFS FROM ANY COMMENTS FROM COACHES AND PARENTS.

- Entice them with money. We pay $15/hr for our rec league and our rec league games are early enough on Saturday that they don't interefere, for the most part, with the competitive/travel schedules, that most youth refs are also doing. It's easy money for a ref.

[Law5]

Our rec league runs solo for all ages. Almost all teen aged referees, except high school rec. $15 for U-8 and 9, $20 for U-10 and 11, $25 for U-12 to 14, $30 for high school rec.