Tampa Bowl

[falcon.7]

I'm going to the Tampa Bowl after Christmas and I'm wondering if anyone's been there before. I am a little apprehensive - the referee invitation letter made it sound like Grade 7s were outsiders ("MUST have a recommendation from state SRA"). I don't want to be a single-word badger in a sea of States. Yes, I realize words don't mean anything, but it's still unnerving. If anyone's been, I'd appreciate them letting me know the skinny so I can be prepared. I know it's a long way off, but my good friend OCD insists I start planning now. I will be going with a few other, more experienced guys and one younger, so it's not like I'll be all by my lonesome down there.

Also, if anyone has experiences from Nike Jr. Friendlies in Richmond, I'd appreciate hearing those too. I hear they treat you well there.

[MassachusettsRef]

I went to Tampa for 6 straight years (00-05), but had to stop for now because of work. Level of play was the best I had ever seen for youth soccer the first two years (better than regionals) because almost every major club on the East Coast and in the South was going, but it dropped off a bit after Disney took off in 2001. It's still very high level soccer, but it doesn't have the regional & national powerhouses that it once had.

It's a lot of fun and you're treated/paid incredibly well. Don't worry about the badge issue; it's a rule to keep random outsiders coming in without any recommendation. A lot of states have groups that go every year (CO, CT, MA, MD, NC, etc.) and those groups always have young 7's and 8's with them.

[nonya]

As the other poster said, Tampa is a good tourney. Expect an assessment a game (of course) so just look good. The competition is high, if they used the same fields as in years past hope for sunny weather. Bring your rain gear because it can get messy that time of year.

As to being a 7, don't sweat it. Some of the worst referees I know are state referee's for various reasons, and some of the best referees are regular. PLus, the badge means nothing, I'm in my early 30s running around with a state emeritus badge getting weird looks, with one assessor who thought I stole it.

If you can do it on the field, it will show and your fellow state/national/FIFA officials will know.

[Claymore]

I haven't been back since '03, but I'll echo MassRef's sentiments - there was a definite dropoff after the Disney Showcase tournament started. Again, it's still pretty good, and the tournament organizers know how to take care of the refs.

As for being a 7, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If your SRA is familiar with your work and recommends you, it's not an issue. SRAs typically don't send just anyone to high-level tournaments, as it reflects badly on them (yes, I know there are exceptions to that one :D ).