Improving officiating

[Unregistered]

Simple Solution

The first step to improving the professionalism of the referee pool is the associations need to require additional training to be assigned games and in exchange for that additional training the refs get more money.

In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs. Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be two locations in the Portland area holding open meetings each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned.

Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the ultimate cost of implementing an improvement program would be closer to $40 per player per year but I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.

In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the additional $10 per player should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.

So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch. A simple program that will make for more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line. A simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials. A simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.

So the question we soccer parents have now is how long is it going to take before OPL, OYSA and the Oregon referee association can get together to adopt this simple solutions?

[Unregistered]

The first step to improving the professionalism of the referee pool is the associations need to require additional training to be assigned games and in exchange for that additional training the refs get more money.

In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs. Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be two locations in the Portland area holding open meetings each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned.

Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the ultimate cost of implementing an improvement program would be closer to $40 per player per year but I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.

In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the additional $10 per player should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.

So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch. A simple program that will make for more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line. A simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials. A simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.

So the question we soccer parents have now is how long is it going to take before OPL, OYSA and the Oregon referee association can get together to adopt this simple solutions?

And what do we do about the refs who don't go to these meetings? I would bet that most are not going to take the time to attend the meetings unless they are all compensated or forced into going. Forcing the refs into going will end up making most of them quit. The only way to fix the problem is to offer the additional training and let the coaches evaluate the refs after the game. Anyone with enough bad evaluations must attend additional training and if they choose not to then they are let go.

[Unregistered]

Trainging is free to the refs

And what do we do about the refs who don't go to these meetings? I would bet that most are not going to take the time to attend the meetings unless they are all compensated or forced into going. Forcing the refs into going will end up making most of them quit. The only way to fix the problem is to offer the additional training and let the coaches evaluate the refs after the game. Anyone with enough bad evaluations must attend additional training and if they choose not to then they are let go.

1st the training is free to the refs.

2nd for those that get the additional training the centers are going to get an additional $25 per game and each AR is going to get an additional $15 per game. If this money is not enough to get them to the meeting and they don't care about improving their "game" then I don't want them on the side line and I don't want my money paying for that "attitude"

3rd. Yes coaches need to send in evaluations too.

[Unregistered]

Then they can call rec games

And what do we do about the refs who don't go to these meetings? I would bet that most are not going to take the time to attend the meetings unless they are all compensated or forced into going. Forcing the refs into going will end up making most of them quit. The only way to fix the problem is to offer the additional training and let the coaches evaluate the refs after the game. Anyone with enough bad evaluations must attend additional training and if they choose not to then they are let go.

If they don't attend meetings AND or pass the game evaluations then they don't get the additional money and they drop out of the pool to call Premier soccer in Oregon.

And for all of you down the valley, there would be meetings in Salem, Corvallis and Eugene and Medford. Yeah, yeah you too Bend!

[Unregistered]

The first step to improving the professionalism of the referee pool is the associations need to require additional training to be assigned games and in exchange for that additional training the refs get more money.

In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs. Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be two locations in the Portland area holding open meetings each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned.

Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the ultimate cost of implementing an improvement program would be closer to $40 per player per year but I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.

In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the additional $10 per player should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.

So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch. A simple program that will make for more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line. A simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials. A simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.

So the question we soccer parents have now is how long is it going to take before OPL, OYSA and the Oregon referee association can get together to adopt this simple solutions?

One would think that the Referee Association would want to do this improve their image in addition to creating opportunities for who you called "the gray hairs" to make a few more dollars!

[Unregistered]

Makes too much sense

The first step to improving the professionalism of the referee pool is the associations need to require additional training to be assigned games and in exchange for that additional training the refs get more money.

In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs. Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be two locations in the Portland area holding open meetings each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned.

Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the ultimate cost of implementing an improvement program would be closer to $40 per player per year but I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.

In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the additional $10 per player should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.

So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch. A simple program that will make for more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line. A simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials. A simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.

So the question we soccer parents have now is how long is it going to take before OPL, OYSA and the Oregon referee association can get together to adopt this simple solutions?

You obviously have put a lot of thought in to this. I can only hope that the suggestion can get through the "not invented here" syndrome. That is the disease that afflicts nearly all volunteer organizations that come to be run by small groups of people who think they know everything there is to know about running the organization. Sadly unless a new idea comes from one of those "know it alls" it is very, very difficult to get an idea adopted and implements.

I can only add my 2 cents to your proposal and say to the responsible parties that something has to give and unless you have a better idea you should be looking into starting this program ASAP.

[Unregistered]

Resistance if Futile

You obviously have put a lot of thought in to this. I can only hope that the suggestion can get through the "not invented here" syndrome. That is the disease that afflicts nearly all volunteer organizations that come to be run by small groups of people who think they know everything there is to know about running the organization. Sadly unless a new idea comes from one of those "know it alls" it is very, very difficult to get an idea adopted and implements.


I can only add my 2 cents to your proposal and say to the responsible parties that something has to give and unless you have a better idea you should be looking into starting this program ASAP.

Exactly, it makes too much sense, therefore it won't happen. If you had read the entire thread you would see resistance to even the concept of improving officiating from some posters. I can only imagine how threatened the Boards and the individual Directors of the Associations are going to be over this idea.

Too bad because it sounds like it would work.

[Unregistered]

Hell yeah

The first step to improving the professionalism of the referee pool is the associations need to require additional training to be assigned games and in exchange for that additional training the refs get more money.

In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs. Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be two locations in the Portland area holding open meetings each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned.

Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the ultimate cost of implementing an improvement program would be closer to $40 per player per year but I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.

In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the additional $10 per player should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.

So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch. A simple program that will make for more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line. A simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials. A simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.

So the question we soccer parents have now is how long is it going to take before OPL, OYSA and the Oregon referee association can get together to adopt this simple solutions?

Where and when can I send in my $40. I can't go through another weekend like the last one!

[Unregistered]

1st the training is free to the refs.

2nd for those that get the additional training the centers are going to get an additional $25 per game and each AR is going to get an additional $15 per game. If this money is not enough to get them to the meeting and they don't care about improving their "game" then I don't want them on the side line and I don't want my money paying for that "attitude"

3rd. Yes coaches need to send in evaluations too.

How much do the refs currently make? From what I was told center refs make $20-$25 a game already and AR's are around $13. Is that correct or did I hear a number that was way off? I'm thinking that if you give them an additional $25 per game that you're overpaying them. That would be like $50 an hour in some cases. Yes I know there is travel time but heck my husband drives an hour to and from work everyday and doesn't get paid either. The refs drive to a location and then are there all day long typically.

[Unregistered]

Wow at my job if I am not doing a good job I would just get fired. It would be nice if my boss decided to double my pay just for attending one meeting a week. I think the refs just need consequences for their actions. There are already plenty of additional training opportunities for the refs and most just choose not to take them. I think instead of doubling their pay you give them a little extra but those that do not live up to the standards are let go.

[Unregistered]

Spread the word

The first step to improving the professionalism of the referee pool is the associations need to require additional training to be assigned games and in exchange for that additional training the refs get more money.

In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs. Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be two locations in the Portland area holding open meetings each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned.

Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the ultimate cost of implementing an improvement program would be closer to $40 per player per year but I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.

In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the additional $10 per player should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.

So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch. A simple program that will make for more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line. A simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials. A simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.

So the question we soccer parents have now is how long is it going to take before OPL, OYSA and the Oregon referee association can get together to adopt this simple solutions?

If you like this idea as much as I do you need to share it with your teams parents and get them to call their Boards and league Associations and get this off the message board and into practice.

If this works the original poster should not have to pay a team fee ever again!

[Unregistered]

Sorry but I am not on board to give the refs an additional $25 a game just for getting the training they should of already had. I'd say more like $25 a day.

[Unregistered]

Improvment & Retention

Wow at my job if I am not doing a good job I would just get fired. It would be nice if my boss decided to double my pay just for attending one meeting a week. I think the refs just need consequences for their actions. There are already plenty of additional training opportunities for the refs and most just choose not to take them. I think instead of doubling their pay you give them a little extra but those that do not live up to the standards are let go.

I bet someone showed you how to do your job right. In the world of soccer the problem is twofold. First the training is rudimentary and it's not very realistic to expect an official to spend a year getting minimum wage walking the side line as an AR to stick with the program long enough to become a proficient Center.

Second the "other" big problem is numbers. There are not enough referees as is to just give the poorly trained the boot. Besides it’s not their fault the system does not work. This proposal is designed to give those that want to do a better job the opportunity to LEARN how. In exchange for that commitment they get compensated.

For the slackers by all means scratch them off the call list!

OBTW I bet you don't work part time for minimum wage on the weekends either!

[Unregistered]

OBTW I bet you don't work part time for minimum wage on the weekends either!

Not sure about the other poster but I do work part time and it is for minimum wage. With unemployment the way it has been I've had no choice. I wouldn't say that $25 for a game (which can be anywhere from 60-80 minutes) is minimum wage. I don't get travel time in my job either so please don't factor that in. I did have 2 days of training but never would my boss double my salary because I WASN'T doing my job correctly.

I am also for improving the refs but I don't think throwing money at them is the right way to do it. Give them a little more for taking additional training but they should of taken the time to get trained right in the first place. The young AR's I can understand but the old center refs should know better.

[Unregistered]

Slave wages

Sorry but I am not on board to give the refs an additional $25 a game just for getting the training they should of already had. I'd say more like $25 a day.

You do realize we are talking about PREMIER soccer don't you? You know the one where parents spend anywhere between $6-8,000 dollars ANNUALLY for their children to compete at the highest levels!

You must have zero understanding of the requirements of the job or zero understanding the PROBLEM to make comments like that.