Hello all from Bozeman, MT where I coach U10 rec soccer and play a pretty ugly center back in our local adult league. Favorite teams are Sevilla FC and the USMNT.
Hello all from not so sunny northwest Florida (USA), found this forum because I've gotten to the point of utter disgust with my region's AYSO and kid's HS varsity soccer coach and needed to vent. Not sure if this is the right forum or if this problem is endemic to just US youth soccer. I always believed soccer was a game of laws and sportsmanship evident through professionalism, pride and passion (sometimes too much like when the stands empty) regarding all aspects of the game and passed on to our children. Not sure where AYSO and HS soccer went awry or maybe I'm just a crazy old goat. I've played soccer in Korea growing up, made the varsity team as the starting center defender and goalie and went undefeated (I know who cares), and played in college at the intramural level and pickup games as an adult. I trained and volunteered as a local AYSO coach and referee but due to the lack of support from the last local commissioner, stopped refereeing. However, I now referee only my youngest daughter's games because the high school JV and varsity soccer players acting as referees were largely slow moving obstacles on the field exhibiting a lack of knowledge regarding the laws of the game, confidence and professionalism I believe a referee, professional or volunteer, should exhibit. Again who cares...well I do. I was preparing to referee my child's game today but its a new season and a promising HS varsity player volunteered to referee (in Florida, HS students must volunteer 100 hours of community service as one of the prerequisites to obtaining the Bright Futures Scholarship) so I approached the referee dressed in high school attire and asked her to make sure she did an equipment safety check and to ensure AYSO rules were followed. I missed the check setting up my kid's team canopy (I know I said it was an overcast day...but it started to look like the sun was going to break through) and assumed a varsity player would know better than skip this pregame requirement. I enjoyed the game until the fourth quarter when I realized the U12G player had earrings. I searched for the commissioner, because our region no longer has a head referee or DoC (that I know of) to address this problem. Unfortunately, no one knew where the commissioner went so I proceeded back to the game and asked the coach (who coached my daughter for three or four seasons but not this season) if her player was wearing earrings. She was into the game, so she shrugged her shoulders and stated I don't know. So I asked if a equipment safety check was accomplished, again a I don't know. How, as a coach do you not know? At that point her team scored a goal so there was a natural stoppage in the game and I yelled to the CR (because we had no ARs) to check the player while the coach was trying to figure out the player's name (this is halfway into the season). The player finally realized she had her earrings on and promptly took them out to a still perplexed HS player. I entered the field (inappropriate and blast me since it is deserved) and asked the HS player/referee to speak with me after the game. I left the field before the earrings reached the sidelines. The backlash that ensued from coach and her parents regarding my concern for one of their player's safety was ridiculous and the support from the current commissioner, nonexistent. I always thought a child's safety was more important than the game but apparently was misinformed. My problem is this, why does AYSO permit the use of HS JV and varsity players as referees when they are apathetic about following and enforcing the laws (my region does it because of the dearth of adult volunteers and no training for referees in at least three years). I approached HS Varsity coach about his player's omission and lack of enthusiasm and was told they are volunteers and it's the adult coach's and parent's responsibility. But last I recall, the referee was responsible for all aspects of the game on their field. Was I wrong (other than entering the field...but go ahead and blast away)? Has this world become so PC we can't even enforce the laws of the game or expect professionalism from our referees? Lucky you...this is my shortened version of my venting and its over.
I can't relate to your experiences, but I recommend you go to http://forums.bigsoccer.com/forums/referee.44/ and http://forums.bigsoccer.com/forums/youth-hs-soccer.83/
Hi Guys, I'm Kim from Rabona57! We are based out of NYC and huge soccer fans looking forward to being part of the community.
Hello from UK London ! We have started building an online platform where all players are welcome to upload their performances (training, matches etc). The goal will be to have professional teams, agents, coaches and ex-players join us and give them the opportunity to select potential talents across the platform and also learn from them (tips, success etc). Your feedback is welcome to allow us to build the perfect platform for you. Thank you ! Click here to join : http://worldtalentzlaunch.com
Hi, I am Jonathan Kopp. I played Division I soccer at IUPUI until I tore my ACL. You can read my story here. I started a new website called collegesportschronicles.com. Check it out and let me know what you think. We are always looking for new writers if interested!
Hi I'm Leigh from the UK. I currently own two football related websites. One is about what your favourite ex Premier League player is doing in retirement www.premierleagueheroes.com and the other is a football merchandise site www.footballgiftsonline.co.uk Looking forward to getting involved.
Hi there my name is Joey, I am a soccer enthusiast and I have been playing this great sport since I was a kid. Also I am a software engineer and as a side activity I do develop android apps. I Noticed that even tough soccer is one of the most played sports in the world there was a lack of apps dedicated to soccer players. So I came out writing one by myself, it is actually published on google play store and its name is Shingo Soccer Referee. I tried to put in all the features that could be useful for handling soccer matches and related statistics, also it is possible to design custom team suits and publish match reports online. Here is a screenshot: I am also actually working in building an online community dedicated to soccer teams and tournaments. I would be glad if you guys could have a look and give me feedback to make it the best soccer app available. You can get more info at http://www.shingosoccerreferee.com and download the app for android phones at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spinkeysoft.shingo Help me to make it big Thanks Joey
I'm Lucas, born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Have lived in multiple countries. Trying to learn Spanish, and I follow Valencia.
Hi all, Andy here from New York, NY. I'm a big soccer fan and former youth/college lacrosse coach. Tottenham is my favorite team although I enjoy watching MLS and the EPL. Recently I started a tech company called FieldVision - we've built camera that can autonomously film a soccer game and we're currently looking for beta testers
Hello, greetings from France. Half German, half French. Currently playing for the Stade Français Paris youth academy and also enrolled in college. Big fan of BVB and the Bundesliga.