Top 100 Referees Forum Insights

Top 100 Referees Forum
February 26th, 2015

Brian Sperlongano
Youth Referee Administrator
Rhode Island Referee Program 2
Opening Remarks

Agenda
• Introductions
• Advancement
• State Panel aka “The Travel Team”
• Top 100 List
• Getting Games
• Assessments and Grades
• Mentoring
• Assignor Meet & Greet

Why a “Top 100” List?
• We want you to compete for the best
games
• Used to identify “the next regional referee”
• Used to determine Referee of the Year
• Helps assignors find referees to fill games
– Opportunities for YOU
– A way to advance to games “out of your town”

What’s in it for you?
• Make more money
– Avoid flipping burgers!
• Take your referee career to the next level
– Best practices to get better games
– What are the different levels of competition?
– What is “Regionals”?
• Let your parents know what you’ve gotten
yourself into (this time)
• Meet assignors & mentors

• This presentation
• Contact information
• Recertification / upgrade info
• League rules & directions to fields
• Forfeit payment request
• …and more
Referee Web Site
www.risrc.net

Referee Facebook Page
• Latest RI Referee news is on Facebook!
– Photos from tournaments
– Top 100 list updates
– Award winners & accomplishments
– National / International referee news
– Helpful tips (usually based on referee mistakes!)
• Search: Rhode Island State Referees

Regional
Premier
Competitive
Recreational
Levels of Youth Competition
•NPL, NEP, MAPLE, MASC
•Tournaments: Bayside, GPS, Seaside
•Super Liga
•Summer Cup
•Tournaments: Westerly, NK, Barrington, Coventry
•Town Leagues
•Kohl’s Cup
•Presidents Cup / ODP / Regionals
•Region 1 Champions League

US Youth Soccer Regions
Rhode island Referee Program 9

2014 Assignment Tallies
Level Referee
Assistant
Referee
Regional Leagues 20 18
Premier 311 672
Competitive 2,552 3,759
Recreational 10,000+ 20,000+

Competition Pay Tables
Level Referee
Assistant
Referee
Recreational $0 - $25 $0 - $15
Competitive $16 - $42 $13 - $25
Premier $45 - $70 $20 - $40
Adult Amateur $80 - $90 $40 - $45
• Higher level of competition = Higher pay!

In-State Appointments
• State Cup
– Best teams in the state
compete
– Winners go to
Regionals
– Mostly State Panel
• RI Cup
– Best Super Liga teams
compete for state title
– All Top 100 refs invited
– Identification event
2013 Rhode Island Cup
Smithfield, RI

State Panel aka “Travel Team”
• By invitation from SRC
• Selected in August
• Advanced instruction
• Travel & meet referees
from 13 states on the
east coast
• Work with national
instructors and
assessors
2010 Region 1 Championships
Huntington, WV

Referee Regional Travel
• Lodging, meals, and
transportation provided
• Small stipend paid
• Referees roomed same-
gender
– Hotels or college dorms
– Odd numbers may be
roomed with a referee
from another state
• Early departure is typical
– May conflict with school
days for May/June dates
2010 Region 1 Presidents Cup
Albany, NY

Selection Criteria
• Past participation
• Attitude & Appearance
• Fitness test required
• Responsiveness
• We get to know you by:
– Raising your hand
– Attend monthly events
– Identification events
– Mentor recommendation

2014 Appointment Calendar
Date Event Location # Referees
Early March Champions League Starts Varies Varies
May 9-10 Champions League Finals TBD 1-3 Referees
May 16-17 UYS RI State Cup Warwick, RI 20 Referees
May 22-25 Region 1 Presidents Cup Pittsburgh, PA 3 Referees
May 30-31 USCS RI State Cup TBD
June 5-7 Region 1 ODP Tournament Princeton, NJ 7 Referees
June 13-14 Rhode Island Cup Warwick, RI 50 Referees
June 25-30 Region 1 Championships Huntington, WV 9 Referees
July 4-8 Region 1 ODP Camp Kingston, RI 3+ Referees

What is “Presidents Cup”?
2013 Region 1 Presidents Cup
Manchester, NH
• Winners of 15 State
Presidents Cups on
the East Coast vie for
Regional Title
• Regional winners
advance to National
Championships
• Top referees from
Regionals are
selected to go to
Nationals!

What is “ODP”?
2013 ODP Tournament
Princeton, NJ
• Olympic Development
Program
• Individual player showcase
• Always held in Princeton,
NJ
• Top referees are selected
to go to Finals in Delaware!

What is “ODP Camp”?
2013 ODP Camp
Kingston, RI
• Instructional camp for
players (U15-U19
Girls)
• Simultaneous camp
for male & female
referees
• Always held at URI
• Referees housed in
URI dorm suites.

What is “Regionals”?
• Winners of 15 State
Cups on the East
Coast vie for Regional
Title
• Regional winners
advance to National
Championships
• Top referees from
Regionals are selected
to go to Nationals!
2013 Region 1 Championships
Kingston, RI

Typical Regional Day
• 6:30 AM – Leave Hotels
• 7:00 AM – Arrive at fields
• 8:00 AM – First whistle
• Noon – Box lunch at the field
• 5:00 PM – Leave fields
• 6:00 PM – Dinner
• 8:00 PM – “The Meeting”
– Day in review
– Assignments for tomorrow!
• 11:00 PM – Bed time
Saturday night dinner at Joe’s Crab
Shack – an ODP Tradition!

Getting There (1)
Recreational
Leagues
U8 – U12
Super Liga
Step 1: Impress your local rec
assignors and get assigned to Super
Liga competitive games
TOP 100 Ranked!

Referee Advancement (2)
U8 – U12
Super Liga
U14+
Super Liga
& Premier
Step 2: Work lots of games, move up
in the rankings and regional assignors
notice and put you in U14+ games!
TOP 100 Ranked!
Rhode island Referee Program 23

Referee Advancement (3)
Top 100
Rankings
RI Cup
ID Event
State Cup
Summer Cup
State Panel
Adult Games
etc…
Step 3: Get invited to RI
Cup! Mentors watch
your game and
recommend you for
better assignments…

Grade 7: Adult Games
• Requirements
– 5 Games as Referee, U16+ Competitive
– Grade 7 class (offered in the winter)
– Pass a field assessment
– Pass the FIFA Sprint and Interval Test
• Benefits
– Assignment priority over grade 8s!
– Can work adult games

Mike Preston
SRC Identification Committee
The Top 100 List

Assignment Ranking System
“Assignments tell the Truth”
-Steve Mauricio, SRA
The “Top 100” system is based on assignments
Assignors give the best games to:
– Referees that are the most responsive
– Referees that are the most capable
– Referees that are the most reliable
– Referees that are the most available

How we create the list
Regional
Assignments
Adult
Assignments
Premier
Assignments
Competitive
Assignments
Fitness Test
Results

Examples
Assistant Referee U10 Super Liga
5 1 1x x 5 points=
Referee U18 State Cup Final
10 8.5 3.9x x 663 points=2x

Leagues (Top to Bottom)
• Region 1 Champions League
• State Cup
• Adult Leagues – Men & Women
• NPL / NEP
• MAPLE & Premier Tournaments
• RI Cup, Summer Cup
• Super Liga & Competitive Tournaments
• Kohl’s Cup Tournament
MorePoints

In Summary
More Games
More Experience
Better Games
More Points
Higher Rank
Rhode Island Referee Program

Kelly Mauricio
Premier League Assignor
Getting Games

Premier Soccer Expectations
You just got your first premier assignment!
$50 to referee a U11 game…
what’s the catch?

In-State
• Call for referees usually via email
• Each has its own assignor and assigning
system
• Some tournaments require registration
• May have different rules (subs, length of
half, etc)
• There is generally a designated referee area
Local Tournaments…

• This is a job
• Do not interfere - Watch, Observe, & Encourage
• Both at the local and state level, there are people
to help assist and mentor your child
• Referees need their own email address
IF THEY WORKED AT DUNKIN’ YOU WOULD
NOT MAKE THEIR COFFEE FOR THEM!
Special Note for Parents

Work with multiple assignors to fill your
schedule!
• Super Liga Local (U12 and below)
• Super Liga Regional (U14 and up)
• Premier Leagues
• RI Cup / State Cup
• Tournaments
Assignors

• YOU need to contact assignors!
• Have your own email address!
• Check it at least ONCE A DAY!
I don’t get Games!

Finding Assignors
Log on to:
WWW.RISRC.NET
SELECT GAME TIME
(FROM BLACK TAB BAR)
CLICK ON “ASSIGNORS”
MAKE CONTACT

Assignment Web Sites
Competition Assignment Site
Super Liga
Super Liga Ref Assigning
www.thesuperliga.com
MAPLE
NEP
NPL
US Officials
www.usofficials.com
Champions League
MASC
Summer Cup
All Adult Leagues
Game Officials
RIReferees.GameOfficials.net
State Cup / RI Cup
Kohl’s Cup
Some Tournaments
GotSoccer
www.gotsoccer.com

• USOfficials & GotSoccer
– Have to make yourself AVAILABLE
• Super Liga & Game Officials
– Have to make yourself UNAVAILABLE
• GameOfficials
– Referees Under 18 defaults to private
– Other members of your crew can’t contact you!
• Info must be correct or you won’t get paid
Special Site Requirements

• Keep all calendars up to date in ALL
assigning sites.
– Yes: this means up to 4 web sites!
• Re-assigning wastes time!
• If you accept a game:
– Block your availability in other sites
– Allow time for travel between games!
Managing Your Calendar

Availability Calendar: Super Liga

Availability Calendar: Game Officials

Availability Calendar: USOfficials

Open Game Emails
• Broadcast to many referees
• Assignors get many responses
• Raise your hand if available!
– A great way to move up
– You are doing a favor to your
assignor
– Respond quickly!
• An open game email is NOT an assignment!

• As a top 100 referee you need to have your own
email.
• This way all notifications will go directly to the
referee
• You will be able to manage your calendar
• Receive game notifications cancellations changes
• Receive all open game emails
• Receive any information from the state
• Parents can be secondary on contact information to
help monitor behind the scenes all activity and
scheduling
Your OWN Email!

DO NOT officiate games of:
• Siblings
• Parents / Children
• Cousins
• Best friends
• Do not be overly friendly with coaches prior to
or after games – this gives impression of
favoritism!
Conflicts of interest

How to get Fewer Games!
• Bad ideas:
–Turn back after accepting a game
–Frequent turn backs
–Being “Picky” about assignments
• Unreliability = fewer assignments

• Check your schedule
– MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO OVERLAPS
– Allow for travel time and late starts
– Must arrive ½ hour before kickoff
– Do not be late to a game!
• Assignors aren’t aware of your schedule
• If there is a problem, contact your assignor
immediately!
Before Game Day

• Do decline quickly (if you have to)
• Do accept your game within 24 hours
• Do know who assigned your game!
• Game issues from other assignors
• Do call your assignor FIRST if there’s a
problem
Assignment DOs

Assignment DON’Ts
• Do not LEAVE GAMES PENDING
• Do not turn back games often
• Do not turn back after accepting
• Do not shop around after you accept!
• Do not bother assignor with:
• Who am I working with? (it’s online!)
• Is my game cancelled? (it’s online!)

• Referee contacts crew by email
– Arrange a meeting place
– Make sure you have cell phone numbers
• Are there special league rules?
– Do not allow teams to change the rules of
competition -- even if coaches insist!
• Do I collect money at the field?
– How much, and which team pays?
Day before match

Unfamiliar Field?
Google Maps!
The Field
Walkway
Parking
Arrive extra early on
your first visit to a
field!

• Black shirt
• Black shorts
• Black socks
• Socks pulled up
• Black shoes
Pre-Game Attire

• Different color jerseys
• Short sleeve/long sleeve
• Whistles (wrist/finger grip or hold in hand)
• Pens/pencils
• Cards
• Cold gear
• Heat gear
• Wristwatch (backup)
• Foul weather gear
• Water, sport drink, snacks
Game Day Gear

YES
Whistles and Watches
•Wrist watch
•No Stopwatches or
timers
•Whistle in your
hand
•NO neck lanyards!
NO

• Check for cancellations:
– Assignment System / League Web Sites
• Professional appearance
– Does not include sunglasses
– Complete and proper uniform
• Check-in players & coaches
– No need to make them stand in a line!
– Photos must match the individual
• Inspect equipment
• Kick off on time!
Game Day!

• Only take what you are owed!
• If you are missing an AR, divide money and
return to the teams.
• Return all money for
a forfeit
• Request reimbursement
at www.risrc.net
Money Collection

• Game Reports!
– Online
– By Mail
– Scan & Fax
• Know the requirements!
• Complete within 24 hours
• Ask your assignor if you’re not sure
After The Game

Document:
1. ALL goals
2. Fouls resulting red/yellow cards
3. Injuries
Please review what is being asked on the
game report for the league you are officiating
in prior to match to ensure proper reporting
ALL REPORTS MUST BE
COMPLETED WITHIN 24 HOURS
Documentation

Mentoring
Lee Baldwin
Mentor, Coventry Soccer

• Mentorship Director – Al Ricci
• 401-739-6878
• mentorship@risrc.net
• List of town mentors:
–www.risrc.net/assignments/mentors/
Mentorship

Referee Mentor Program
• State-wide – A Mentor in each association
• Experienced referees assigned to local
communities
• Access to knowledge and experience
• Helps creates path to higher level games
• Available to ALL referees

• Observation
• Communication
• Sharing
• Being yourself and sharing your experiences
• Forming a one on one relationship
• Becoming a friend
• There to help not Criticize
• We ALL have/had mentors
What is Mentoring?

• Meets with officiating team
• Before the game
• Halftime
• End of game
• May Observe from the sidelines
• Could be Referee or AR
• Works with ALL levels of referees
• Gets to know the referees
• Mentors and referees are a team
Mentoring at the Game

Referees
• ASK QUESTIONS
• Learn to work with mentors
• If you want to advance, we are here to
guide you
• You can help new younger referees

Mentoring at Kohl’s cup

Closing Remarks
Steven Mauricio
State Referee Administrator

Referee Assault & Abuse
• Referee Assault:
– An intentional act of physical violence at or upon a
referee
• Referee Abuse:
– Threats through a physical act or verbal statement
– Verbal and nonverbal communication which contains
foul or abusive language and which implies or directly
threatens physical harm;
– Spewing a beverage on or spitting at a referee or the
referee’s personal property

• If you decide to continue the match, the adult must be
dismissed (red card).
– If the situation is unsafe, abandon the match and report
the dismissal in writing.
– The incident must be in game report - FACTS ONLY
• Identify witnesses
• DO NOT WAIT – Notify assignor / SRA immediately after
match
• FORMAL PUNISHMENT CAN ONLY OCCUR IF THE
ADULT IS DISMISSED FROM THE FIELD
• WE WILL SUPPORT YOU
Reporting Assault

• As a courtesy, notify SRA when working out
of state.
• The referee must let the SRA (Steve
Mauricio) know of the intent to officiate in a
different state regardless of a regular
season game or tournament each time.
• Provide enough time to ensure a response
Working out of State

Going away to College?
• Commuting to RI for games
• Who to contact in another state
• Permanent transfers out of state

Thank you!

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