Did your state office need to reach out to the USSF to receive "permission" to conduct this training? I don't believe they need to, but was never 100% sure. Also, since the numbers are so good, do you mind if I ask how much the state is charging for the course?
I am not 100% sure, but given the SRA is one of the coaches observing the mentors, I have to think that all needed actions took place. And the cost for these trainings are 0. Iowa Soccer has a very large grant that is being used over the next several years, and this is one of the investments for that grant. https://who13.com/news/as-soccer-grows-in-iowa-so-does-struggle-to-find-refs/
From what I see (and the provided link), you guys are the model of the what the other states could be doing, but elect not to. A few years ago, I asked why our state doesn't do anything similar and was told "we don't have enough manpower". However, it's the same faces we've seen for many years and no effort to bring newcomers with ideas. When someone joined the state office 7 years ago, he was immediately crushed like a bug when he wanted to make more referee-friendly changes. There are continuous posts on Facebook about guys they're trying to push further into the ranks and not a peep about what they're doing for "grassroots" referees. Even if a small fee was charged, we would still get a good turnout since referees get no serious training once they get their first badge. This will help those who are getting no serious training as newcomers stick around longer and know that they're wanted and needed. Good luck on Sunday!
From what I've been told by those who would be in a position to know, only 60% of the referees from 2023 have recertified in our state. I wonder if it's that high nationwide. Feedback from those who are ready to assign tournaments and games in the coming days and weeks on the top reasons why: 1) Referees who are not computer savvy and English is their second language and had log-in and other issues during the online recertification process gave up since they got no help or vague responses back. 2) Referees felt issues that happened with coaches, players or fans went unaddressed and not taken seriously and walked away. Assignors have pleaded with the state office to make some changes that would help increase the numbers, but they've been mostly ignored since they don't feel this is in their job description and only focusing on the "up and comers". Instead of building relationships, we have a State Youth Referee Administrator whose biggest contribution is to send snarky emails. We have folks who have been there a long time whose biggest contribution in the past year is to announce a new website that looks like it was designed in 1990.
With Zoom's growth, many resources are now available for referees. These don't replace mentoring on the field but are useful supplements. Cal North Referee Association (also has a video library) https://www.cnra.net/2024/03/webinar-referee-group-march-20/ https://www.cnra.net/on-demand-web-training/ Cal South Referee Training https://calsouth.com/monthly-referee-educational-webinars/ San Jose Soccer Referee Association http://www.sjsra.org/meetings.html ttps://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUudOivrjIsEt0KbjEzpJX7etb7kpyeofXu I've also occasionally seen online programs from US Soccer, Massachusetts, and Iowa. I'm always interested in finding more.
We have a new league that formed last season that merged with another rec-level league and now we're seeing multiple games (as solo ref) going unfilled with 3-4 days to kick-off. This week they had 151 games to cover. Then I hear about the shortage in England and how often you do adult league solo... Something's gotta give when you can't find _any_ referees...?
Because of the shortage, I have my fourth full size field center in my 10 years of refereeing. My first in 11 months. U14 girls state league, and I am a bit nervous. Because of my job, this is actually my first whistle of any game since July. Hopefully it will be just like riding a bike. But I may consider wearing elbow and knee pads, just in case.
Chico Grajeda is doing this one. He was the CR for the match where they did the very last "Referee Day" at Red Bull arena 10 years ago. The entire crew spoke about 30 minutes after the game. Bazakos was the 4th official and Lowry was AR1 (I don't recall who the other AR was). They did a nice job with the crowd of referees in the stands. Grajeda's focus was on man management (what he will be spending the webinar on) and how he uses his personality. He admitted his "touchy feely" approach with players was not always welcome by his bosses. I am guessing they stopped "Referee Day" all together at all venues since then.
One of the Memorial Day tournaments in our state is paying $100 CR fees for 60 minute games. Folks I know who generally stay local with family or go down the shore are not passing up a chance to make $700 for an entire day. No repetitive emails from assignors begging for help this year as was the case two years ago. It's amazing how increasing the fees for folks who have been hosed in the past suddenly solves the "shortage" issue.
Yeah shocking how that works isn’t it? Unfortunately for me the Memorial Day adult tournament I assigned for last year seems to have been taken under the control of the local youth league and we didn’t even get any notifications about refereeing, so I have no idea what’s going on with that. I actually enjoyed the assigning so it’s a shame. Oh well