Referee Retention California North

Referee Retention Current Data

Referee Retention ~ 12,000 referees registered in Cal North each year - Consistent number for past 5 years ~ 4,000 new referees registered each year ~ 4,000 referees lost each year 33% turnover annually Define professional soccer – USL, NASL, MLS and International Friendlies Summarize PRO This is the sole focus of this group and the people in this room. It’s ok if this is not for you. My role within this group Culture change needed

Referee Retention Losing Referees The most significant challenge we have with retaining referees is the abuse to which officials are subjected at all levels of the game They are not practically or emotionally prepared to address it in games They are not supported by clubs and/or leagues when it happens There is currently no systemic effort to address it

Referee Retention Impact Growth of referee pool has not matched growth of games being played Referees are working more games = less quality Supply/demand = poor referees continue to be assigned regularly No time to devote to referee improvement/development

Referee Retention Solutions

Referee Retention Solutions 1. Entry Level Course Curriculum Modification 2. Entry Level Instructor/Coach Role Expansion 3. Referee Abuse Initiative We are currently implementing three solutions to this problem, each of which I’ll go over in detail.

Referee Retention Entry Level Course Curriculum Modification First, acknowledge and accept: - A large majority of new referees will only ever officiate low-level youth soccer - New officials don’t need an extensive understanding of the Laws for that - There is an immediate need for officials on the field - Referees who show interest long-term can develop with additional training Modify accordingly - Make it as quick and easy as possible to start officiating low-level soccer - Only provide them with the information they’ll need for the games they’ll work

Referee Retention Entry Level Course Curriculum Modification Practical referee training vs Laws of the Game knowledge - Reorganize approach to focus on how to referee soccer vs knowing the Laws - Teach them literally what to do before, during and after a game - Utilize all U.S. Soccer training materials when teaching - Field sessions are 1/3 of course time, including small-sided game training - Include a segment on how to identify and address referee abuse in games Outcomes - Prepares officials to immediately be able to referee a match - Cover basics of all Laws while teaching how to referee a soccer match

Referee Retention Entry Level Instructor/Coach Role Expansion The Entry Level Instructor is most often the only point of contact between CNRA and new referees We need to get more out of that relationship if referees are going to be more prepared to officiate matches

Referee Retention Entry Level Instructor/Coach Role Expansion Expand Entry Level Instructor role to that of a referee coach - Each entry level course becomes cohort of officials - CNRA provides funding for referee coaches to mentor officials during their first few weeks of games after completion of the course - Each instructor/coach stays with cohort for one month, providing ongoing mentorship on and off the field - Higher level of engagement in the time immediately following the course cements a connection between the referee and CNRA

Referee Retention Entry Level Instructor/Coach Role Expansion The curriculum modification must be accompanied by the referee coach/mentor program, or new referees will be less prepared to handle their duties during a match

Referee Retention Referee Abuse Initiative CNRA is taking a leadership role in crafting policies for the two major youth soccer organizations in our state: Cal North (California Youth Soccer Association) NorCal (U.S. Club in California)

Referee Retention Referee Abuse Initiative CNRA is working with the leadership of each organization to negotiate a set of policies and sanctions that will be uniform in both organizations in dealing with referee abuse, so there is a consistent approach to how referees are to handle issues with referee abuse

Referee Retention Referee Abuse Initiative CNRA is then training all new and current referees on the preferred method of identifying and addressing referee abuse before, during and after a match, with the knowledge that the two organizations have agreed on how to handle issues that arise. If a referee follows CNRA protocol, they will be supported. 100%.

Referee Retention Solutions 1. Entry Level Course Curriculum Modification 2. Entry Level Instructor/Coach Role Expansion 3. Referee Abuse Initiative Solutions 1 and 2 must be done together Solution 3 must be done immediately regardless of other initiatives We are currently implementing three solutions to this problem, each of which I’ll go over in detail.

Additional Information Referee Retention Questions? Additional Information Said Ravanfar Matthew Buckman State Referee Administrator Director of Referee Development sravanfar@cnra.net mbuckman@cnra.net

Referee Retention California North