Professional Soccer Referees Association

Presentation to

Women’s Professional SoccerThrough Unity, Strength

Professional Soccer Referees Association

• Who– Association of referees working professional

soccer matches in the United States and Canada

– 95% of working referees are members

• Why– No formal organization of the referee trade

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Our Purpose

• Enhance the development of referees

• Exchange and sharing of information

• Provide a forum for the discussion and resolution of issues affecting referees

• Mentors / Leaders in Referee Community

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Points for Discussion

• Issues / Concerns

• Professionalism

• Financial

• Sponsorships/Endorsements

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Issues / ConcernsHandbook

Locker Room/LogisticsMedia

Referee Uniforms (PUMA)

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Issues / Concerns

• Handbook/Ops manual– Provide consistent, clear procedures and points of

contact (weather, security, etc.)

• Locker room logistics -- minimize potential contact between officials and teams, especially during halftime and immediately following match– Review logistics at 2009 venues (Washington) and

check at new venues (FC Gold Pride)

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Issues / Concerns

• Media– Public criticism of officials is unacceptable– WPS did deal with the issue promptly

• Punishment did not seem to deter the repeat offenders – thoughts?

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Issues / Concerns

• Referee Uniforms (Puma)– Issue with quality– Long sleeve uniforms (must have in colder climates

as seen last year), alternate short-sleeve

Other feedback:– Warm-up shirts– Full track suit (pants as well as jacket)– WPS polo– Propose properly fitting uniforms for local referees

(inconsistent across venues)

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Professionalism

DVDs

Other Games

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Professionalism

• DVDs– DVDs given at stadium were beneficial,

however some inconsistency in this regard– ARs receiving copies would be beneficial for

post-match review– Non-League games

• Currently there is no policy that addresses referees acceptance of non-league games

• Recommendation is that a code of ethics be adopted that states no WPS referee or AR should referee any game within 1 calendar day of a WPS game

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Financial

Expenses

Game Fees

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Financial

• Expenses– Hotel fees: direct bill with hotels and WPS– Time to reimbursement often > 30 days– Officials must submit expense report within

designated time frame

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Financial

• Would like to put together a plan towards the end of 2010 season for future seasons

• Fees perhaps based upon game count in the future, need to reflect experience

• 2010 proposal – no change in fees or per diem

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Corporate Endorsements

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Corporate Endorsements

• PSRA will be looking for an Endorsement deal allowing for Corporate advertisement on referee kit– Subtle corporate logo on sleeve, pocket or

shoulder– Benefits

• Funding for referee development outside of current federation efforts

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Summary

• Top 5 concerns of WPS Officials– Handbook – Uniforms– Media– Expenses– Game fees (future)