A Newbie 8's experience at Region II Regionals

[intechpc]

Well folks, I just got back tonight from Region II Regionals in Rockford, IL. Yes the finals are tomorrow, I didn't stay because we have a vacation starting tomorrow. The experience was AWESOME! I learned a ton, met and networked with a lot of great people and refereed some terrific soccer matches.

Day one, check-in and clinic was kinda lame. The clinic had some good info but a lot was specific to the tournament. I'd have liked a little more in terms of referee development material. Oh well, not bad. Day two was the first day of games in group play. My first match out of the blocks was CR on a U15 Girls match and the second was a 4th on a U15 Boys match. Got a great assessment on my Center and got to work a real cooker of a match between two boys teams with a long colorful history between them.

Second Day, AR1 on a U14 Girls and AR1 on a U13 Girls. First match went 1-0, 1-1, 1-2 with the last two goals being scored in the final 3 minutes of the match. The winning goal was scored from 45 yards out by a player on a breakaway with the keeper playing up near the center circle. Second match was pretty quiet. Again good assessments, lots of great feedback. Also got to watch a match sitting with an assessor, watching another ref work and listening to the assessors comments was a phenominal experience.

Day three, last day of group play, I was assigned a CR on a girls U16 match and AR1 on a U17 Boys matchup. First match had one team that needed a win with some help to move on against a team that had been eliminated. I had a really good game I felt and happily so since at different points in the match Terry Vaughn and Brian Hall both stopped by to watch. TV watched almost a full half!!l Assessor's feedback was good and I was pretty stoked to have two pro referees there to see me doing well.

Fourth day, Semi-finals, no assignments. But wait, they've decided to do something different. They added a 5th official to each match to handle record keeping, allowing the 4th to focus on bench control and player management. Ended up working a U19 Girls match and learned a great deal from it.

What an awesome weekend. I can't believe that as a first time 8 I ended up with two centers and I can't believe they came on mid=level matches. I learned so much and I feel ready to start sharing some of it with my collegues back home. Oh and one thing I didn't mention but it's what made the weekend for me, I GOT MY SEVEN UPGRADE!!! Yep, got my assessment!! So come 2009 I'll offically be a 7.

[code1390]

Awesome. Congrats on the upgrade.

[NJ Ref]

Intech, congratulations….sounds like you had a blast at Regions…that’s what it’s all about…learned a little…have fun…and the big bonus…get an upgrade.

Good news…you are a grade 7 now! Your assessor should have told you that the date he/she says you have passed…you are that grade. Your paperwork will state upgrade on June whatever, 2008. It’s not when your next year’s paperwork comes out of Chicago.

Once again, congrats on being a Grade 7 NOW.

[Spaceball]

Good news…you are a grade 7 now! Your assessor should have told you that the date he/she says you have passed…you are that grade. Your paperwork will state upgrade on June whatever, 2008. It’s not when your next year’s paperwork comes out of Chicago.

Once again, congrats on being a Grade 7 NOW.

Not quite. It is the SRA that upgrades referees, not assessors. Passing an assessment is only one of the requirements. However, you can request from your SRA (and hope Joe listens :)) that you would like a mid-season upgrade. Then it can be processed as soon as he can get to it. Once that happens, you are a 7. The one drawback is you will likely have to pay a fee to do a midseason upgrade...but it might be worth it.

As for Regionals, I am glad to hear you had a great time. This is the first time I have not been to a youth regionals as a referee or mentor since 1999 so I really missed it. I love Region 2 and all the people that are there. Keep going back and listening to what Huber and his mentors/assessors tell you and your games will get better and better until eventually you get called up on stage and invited to Nationals. Keep up your enthusiasm!

[NJ Ref]

Spaceball, I could be wrong…it happened once before…but in the State of New Jersey, we have been instructed to inform upgrades to Grade 7 that they have attended that grade the day they were assessed and passed. Now Intech’s paperwork form Chicago will state…attained grade – June something, 2008. It will not say…attained grade - January 1, 2009. All upgrades that I’ve done to grade 7, I informed them that they have attained that grade the day I tell them.

[CalCard]

But... you're assuming they've fulfilled their other requirements... Test score and fitness test. I understand it to be that they are not upgraded until all the requirements are met, the paperwork done and fees are paid.

Case in point... you can't buy an additional state badge (online) until the paperwork/check is received and you're registered for the year.

[Ref Flunkie]

Congrats. Sounds like it was an interesting experience.

[NJ Ref]

But... you're assuming they've fulfilled their other requirements...

Again, in New Jersey (and maybe it's different elsewhere), you must complete the upgrade clinic and physical run before you are assigned to an assess-able game. And all of this must be completed within the year. If it is not, you start all over again with the clinic and run the following year. It can be a problem if you wait too long because very few division 1 (U17-U19), games occur in the Fall...that's when we play High School ball.

[GOOOOAL!!]

I'm glad you had a great time and got your 7.

The other important thing is that you learned something. As long as you keep learning, you'll get better and the games will get easier.

Also, if you have some time, write a quick note to some of the people who helped you the most at Regionals and thank them for the time and help they gave you. Maybe the assessor you sat with, and some of the administrators that helped get you there and helped while you were there. Most of them are volunteer and get paid through knowing they are helping other officials get better and enjoy the game. It will also help you keep in touch with them and let them know you are interested in advancing.

The higher you get, the more important the off the field things you do become. The powers that be are not only looking for good referees, but good people.

If you can get the 7 this year, get it done. There are requirements for upgrade have stipulations about being the previous grade for a particular number of years, i.e. you can't be a 7 then a 6 in the same year. If you wait to become a 7 in 2009, you can't be a 6 until 2010. It doesn't seem like much now, but it can really pile up as you go.

Good luck with the rest of the season.

[Gary V]

Great job, Tony.

[campton]

Did region II make sure everyone wore officialsports everything?

[jester007]

Did region II make sure everyone wore officialsports everything?

Lol, no they didn't. I personally saw Score, Olympus, and one other manufacturer that I can't remember.

I just wish my experience was as good as yours.

[OhRef]

I saw multiple mfgs also. Which complex were you at?

[campton]

This really bothers me now, i was told by my instructor that if i wanted to advance, i would HAVE to wear the proper brands and look uniform like the other referees.

I've bought all OSI shirts, i could have saved 200 bucks.

[jester007]

I saw multiple mfgs also. Which complex were you at?

I was at Rocky Valley.

[intechpc]

Hey guys, just got back from vacation. Thanks for all the well wishes. As far as the seven upgrade, it was my SRA (who was also HOD for WI) that told me it would be 2009. I suppose i could check with him about what it would take to get it effective in 2008. We'll see. He's already talking about having me go to the State upgrade clinic in late 2009 so I'm sure he's got a plan in his head.

Regarding Jerseys, I too saw a few folks with non-OSI gear. Olympus, Score and Law Five were all on display as well. However, the VAST majority were wearing OSI gear from top to bottom. I worked both facilities, mostly at SportScore 2 but I did do one day at Rock Valley College. I didn't notice any more of the non-OSI at one versus the other. It was few and far between. What I did notice was that there were MANY referees that had not purchased the new styles yet. Not sure what if any factor that is on advancement but there were some 5's and 6's that hadn't purchased the new shirts yet.

I had a great time and did indeed learn a ton. I'm sorry to hear it sounds like some didn't have as enjoyable of a weekend. That's really too bad.

[GOOOOAL!!]

Regarding Jerseys, I too saw a few folks with non-OSI gear. Olympus, Score and Law Five were all on display as well. However, the VAST majority were wearing OSI gear from top to bottom. I worked both facilities, mostly at SportScore 2 but I did do one day at Rock Valley College. I didn't notice any more of the non-OSI at one versus the other. It was few and far between. What I did notice was that there were MANY referees that had not purchased the new styles yet. Not sure what if any factor that is on advancement but there were some 5's and 6's that hadn't purchased the new shirts yet.

Until it is mandated that the new style be purchased, you won't see everyone switch over to the "new" style right away. In order to switch all at once, you need around $500 to replace shirts that are most likely still good. Since refereeing is usually not a money making activity anyway, plopping down $500 for something that is not really needed is a little crazy. I'll replace old jerseys with the new style and ask for them for Christmas, but I won't throw an entire bag of uniforms away just because there is something new.

Do you need to wear OSI or the new style to advance? Technically no.
Does it make you a better referee or help on an assessment? Not really.
Would wearing another brand during an OSI sponsored event cause you to be looked at differently? Yes.

As you advance, the little things on and off the field matter. The decision makers want to know what kind of person you are, not just how you referee. Part of that is towing the party line. OSI sponsors tournaments, gives away shirts and uniforms at some tourneys and does other things for higher level referees. Just like MLS doesn't want referees wearing Nike shoes during an MLS game, US Soccer would prefer that OSI be worn during US Soccer events. They've decided that OSI is the official brand and that is what they want you to wear, so that is what is expected. Any deviation would be noted. Wearing an alternate brand wouldn't prevent you from passing an assessment, but it may play into getting the assignment in the first place.

Right or wrong that is the reality.