1. Referee Retention
California North

2. Referee Retention
Current Data

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Referee Retention
Solutions

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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%.

16. 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.

17. Additional Information
Referee Retention
Questions?
Additional Information
Said Ravanfar Matthew Buckman
State Referee Administrator Director of Referee Development

18. Referee Retention
California North