RISRC Top 100 Presentation 2017

Top 100 Referees Forum

February 23rd, 2017

Rhode Island Referee Program 2

Brian SperlonganoYouth Referee Administrator

Opening Remarks


Why are you here?

• 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 & travel team

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”


• This presentation• List of assignors / coordinators• Recertification / upgrade info• League rules & directions to fields• Forfeit payment request• …and more

Referee Web Site

www.risrc.net


Social Media

• 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!)


@RIReferees


Regional

Premier

Competitive

Recreational

Levels of Youth Competition

• NPL, NEP, NSL (formerly MAPLE)• Tournaments: Bayside, GPS, Seaside

• Super Liga• Rhode Island Cup• Summer Cup• Tournaments: Westerly, NK, Barrington, Coventry

• In-town Leagues• TARGET United Cup

• Presidents Cup / ODP / Regionals• Eastern Regional League

Rhode island Referee Program 8

US Youth Soccer Regions

Annual 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 RefereeRecreational $0 - $25 $0 - $15Competitive $20 - $46 $16 - $27Premier $45 - $80 $25 - $40Adult Amateur $80 - $90 $40 - $45

• Higher level of competition = Higher pay!


In-State Appointments

• 2 State Cups– Best teams in the state

compete– Winners go to Regionals– Mostly State Panel

• Rhode Island Cup– State championship for

competitive town teams– Top 100 refs invited– Identification event Rhode Island Cup

Smithfield, RI



Identification Event?

• Mentors will watch your game!– Feedback during/after your game

• State Referee Committee watching games– Possible promotion to academy panel– Male/female RI Cup outstanding refs selected

State Panel aka “Travel Team”

• 18 Referees Selected• Invitations in August• Advanced instruction• Travel & meet referees

from 13 states on the east coast

• Work with national instructors and assessors At the airport, on the way to Regionals!


Academy Panel

• 18 Referees Selected• Invitations in August• Advanced instruction• State Panel Alternates• Work with state-level

instructors and mentors• Promotion path to State

Panel Referee Identification at ODP Camp!


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

Region 1 ODP TournamentPrinceton, NJ


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


2017 Appointment Calendar

Date Event Location # Referees

Late Feb ERL Starts Varies Varies

May 12-14 ERL Finals Kirkwood, DE 1-3 Referees

May 20-21 UYS RI State Cup Warwick, RI 18 Referees

June 3-4 USCS RI State Cup Bristol, RI 18 Referees

June 9-11 Region 1 ODP Tournament Kirkwood, DE 7 Referees

June 10-11 USCS RI State Cup Providence, RI 18 Referees

June 10-11 Rhode Island Cup Smithfield, RI 50 RefereesJune 16-19 Region 1 Presidents Cup Barboursville, WV 1 Referee

June 28-July 4

Region 1 Championships Fredericksburg, VA 9 Referees

July TBD Region 1 ODP Camp Horsham, PA 5 Referees


What is “ODP”?

ODP TournamentPrinceton, NJ

• Olympic Development Program

• Individual player showcase

• Top referees are selected to go to Finals in Delaware!


What is “Presidents Cup”?

Region 1 Presidents CupManchester, 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 “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!

Region 1 ChampionshipsKingston, RI


What is “ODP Camp”?

ODP CampKingston, RI

• Instructional camp for players (U15-U19 Girls)

• Simultaneous camp for male & female referees

• Referees housed on-site.



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 timeSaturday night dinner at Joe’s Crab

Shack – an ODP Tradition!

Getting There (1)

RecreationalLeagues

U8 – U12Super Liga

Step 1: Impress your local recreational assignors and get assigned to Super Liga competitive games

TOP 100 Ranked!



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• Might just show up at your game!• List of town mentors:

www.risrc.net/assignments/mentors/

Mentoring at Kohl’s cup

Rhode Island Referee Program

Referee Advancement (2)

5 Games60’ matchesas Referee(or age 16)

Can take Grade 8 Class

(2x / year)

Step 2: Upgrade to Grade 8 to work U14! Move to Top 100 Grade 8 list.



U8 – U12Super Liga

U14+Super Liga& Premier

Step 3: Work lots of games, move up in the rankings and regional assignors notice and put you in U14+ games!

TOP 100 Ranked!



Top 100Rankings

RI CupID Event

State CupSummer CupState Panel

Adult Gamesetc…

Step 4: 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 annually)– Pass a field assessment– Pass the FIFA Sprint and Interval Test

• Benefits– Assignment priority over grade 8s!– Can work adult games


The Top 100 List

How we create the list

Regional Assignments

Adult Assignments

Premier Assignments

Competitive Assignments


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)

• Eastern Regional League• State Cup• Adult Leagues – Men & Women• NPL / NEP• NSL & Premier Tournaments• RI Cup, Summer Cup• Super Liga & Competitive Tournaments• TARGET United Cup Tournament

Mor

e P

oint

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Kelly MauricioPremier League Assignor

Getting Games

• 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!

Note for Parents


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

Working Local Tournaments


You can work for more than one assignor!

• Super Liga Local (U12 and below)• Super Liga Regional (U14 and up)• Premier Leagues• RI Cup / State Cup• Tournaments

Multiple Assignors


Finding Assignors

Log on to:WWW.RISRC.NET

SELECT GAME TIME(FROM BLACK TAB BAR)

CLICK ON “ASSIGNORS”

MAKE CONTACT


http://www.risrc.net/

Assignment Web Sites

Competition Assignment Site

Super Liga Super Liga Ref Assigningwww.thesuperliga.com

NSLNEPNPL

US Officialswww.usofficials.com

Eastern Regional LeagueSummer CupAll Adult Leagues

Game OfficialsRIReferees.GameOfficials.net

State Cup / RI CupTARGET United CupSome Tournaments

GotSoccerwww.gotsoccer.com


http://www.thesuperliga.com/

http://www.usofficials.com/

http://www.rireferees.gameofficials.net/

http://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!


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


• 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!

Scheduling



Availability Calendar: Super Liga


Availability Calendar: Game Officials


Availability Calendar: USOfficials

DO NOT officiate games of:• Siblings• Parents / Children• Cousins• Best friends

Conflicts of interest


How to get Fewer Games!

• Bad ideas:–Turn back after accepting a game–Frequent turn backs–Being “Picky” about assignments

• Unreliable = fewer assignments


• 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 assignor FIRST if there’s a problem

Assignment DOs



Assignment DON’Ts

• DON’T LEAVE GAMES PENDING• DON’T turn back games often• DON’T turn back after accepting• DON’T shop around after you accept!• DON’T bother assignor with:

• Who am I working with? (it’s online!)• Is my game cancelled? (it’s online!)

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



Higher-Level Assignments

• What if you’re assigned to a higher-level assignment that conflicts with a lower-level assignment?

• Accepted last week:– 10am U10R Super Liga game in Burrillville

• Assigned today:– 12pm U14R Super Liga game in Westerly

• What do I do? Pick up the phone!

• Uncovered games every week!• Assignor doesn’t know who you are?• You got assigned and didn’t check email?• Not willing to travel outside your town?

• YOU need to contact assignors!


“I don’t get Games!”


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!

• Top 100 referees need their own email. • Check email at least daily!• Notifications go directly to the referee!• Game cancellations / changes!• Receive all open game emails• Parents can be secondary on contact

information to help monitor behind the scenes all activity and scheduling


Your OWN Email!


Premier Soccer Expectations

You just got your first premier assignment!

$55 to referee a U11 game… what’s the catch?

• Referee emails / texts ARs!– 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– Do not be overly friendly with coaches prior to or after games

– this gives impression of favoritism!• 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 are online for all youth leagues!– New tax form requirements– Won’t get paid unless forms

are filled out!• Payment procedures vary by league• Know the requirements!• Complete within 24 hours• Ask your assignor if you’re not sure

After The Game


Document:1. Goal scorers / time2. Red/yellow cards given3. InjuriesPlease 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



State Panel Meet & Greet


AssignorMeet & Greet


Closing Remarks

Steven MauricioState 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



Reporting Abuse

• 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

Rhode Island Referee Program


Going away to College?

• Commuting to RI for games• Who to contact in another state• Permanent transfers out of state


Thank you!

Sports

RISRC Top 100 Presentation 2017