Central_District_US_Soccer_Referee_Development_Program

Dear Referee,

On behalf of Missouri Referee Development Program, Missouri SRA, SDA, SDI and the Central District’s administrators I would like to wish you and your families a prospers and pleasant 2010.

As you well know we are in the midst of our annual recertification process for all referees. This year Missouri was among a handful of States that automated the written test requirement for all referee grades. This change has not been without its own challenges. Among issues of concerns four issues have been identified as referee’s major concerns. Below, I will share these issues with you in hope that we address all of your concerns.

The first issue was/is taking the written test and paying the re-registration fees online:

Referees are assigned a 16 digit number identifying them as a referee in the US-Soccer database. These numbers are assigned when referees first register with the Federation through completing any of the Entry Level course offered. US-Soccer, after referee’s paper work is submitted, mails a registration card (with their ID number) to the referee. Furthermore, annually, after a successful recertification, US-Soccer mails current’s year’s ID to each and every referee. The biggest area of concern was referees misplacing and/or losing their US-Soccer identification number. Referees are encouraged and required to have these cards someplace safe for future references. Equally important, should the referee ever travel outside the State of Missouri to officiate, he/she might be required to produce their ID card as a verification of their good standing status. Please do all you can to keep your ID card in a safe and secure place. You will need these IDs for next year’s re-registration process, taking the written test and paying your fees on the US-Soccer web site.

It is also important to note that the US-Soccer web site (where you pay your fees and re-register) gives you the option to change your pswd and UserID. Should you make a change, you need to keep that information handy for your future references.

Referees still in the process of re-registration, please visit the www.CDSoccer.org web site and follow the instructions.

The second issue is game records. Referees are required to keep track of the matches they officiate, tracking the following information:

Because of difficulty of tracking and verifying everyone’s matches, starting in 2010 if you wish to include your game record as part of your re-registration you must/shall email me (DRA@CDSoccer.org) an Excel spread sheet with all above details. Click HERE to download a blank excel spreadsheet already set up with the proper categories.

Remember the only games that count are US-Soccer sanctioned/affiliated matches. If they are not, don’t add them to the list you send me. That is, among others, High School, College games cannot be counted for your game record.

As we get closer to 2011 re-registration period I will inform you of the timing and the method on when/how to report your games. Meanwhile start your Excel spread sheet and track every game you officiate.

A strong reminder to all referees looking to up-grade in the up-coming years; Record your games regularly and accurately. Do not let bad record keeping hinder your up-grade chances. Remember if I don’t have the information on your matches and I cannot verify your matches, the burden is on your shoulders. I will no longer forward any game record without accurate documentation.

The third issue is dealing with referees wanting to up-grade:

There is updated information on the www.CDSoccer.org web site. Go to the section dealing with Up-Grade and Assessment and read all requirements and steps you need to follow. These steps include but are not limited to the summary listed below:
Last but not least, are the issues of Referee responsibility:

In past few weeks I have been asked questions about officiating affiliated/sanctioned verses none sanctioned matches. At this point it is Very Important to share the policies of the US-Soccer Federation, Missouri Referee Development and Central District Administration with you.

Policy: Referee's Responsibilities to Affiliated Teams
A person registered with the U.S. Soccer Federation as a referee has the right to participate in referee courses and clinics conducted by the Federation and its affiliates and to be examined and graded from time to time - all for the purpose of assisting referees in improving their officiating skills as well as qualifying them for assignment at a higher level competition. A Federation registered referee also has the responsibility to officiate games among youth, adult and professional teams which are affiliated with U.S. Soccer Federation so that affiliated teams do not have a shortage of qualified officials for their competitions. Recognizing these rights and responsibilities, the US Soccer Referee Committee has adopted the following policies:
  1. The primary duty of a USSF registered referee is to officiate games among teams (youth, adult and professional) which are affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation.
  2. In order to prevent any referee from taking benefits from the National Program for Referee Development without also assisting affiliated teams in conducting their competitions, the State Referee Administrator has the authority to refuse registration and to refuse participation in USSF sponsored referee development programs to a referee who has previously registered with the Federation if the State Referee Administrator determines that the following conditions exist:
    1. The referee during the past calendar year has officiated more games for unaffiliated soccer teams than for affiliated soccer teams. (School sponsored games are not to be considered as either affiliated or unaffiliated games for this purpose.)
    2. B. The referee has not officiated during the past calendar year the minimum number of games required by the state referee committee to maintain their current grade level, unless written clearance has been received by the referee from the SRA.
 Definition of Unaffiliated or Outlaw Soccer Team and/or League
An outlaw team and/or league is a suspended team and/or league in bad standing with the United States Soccer Federation, including its divisions and/or other affiliated organizations. An unaffiliated team and/or league is a team and/or league that has never been affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation or has left the Federation voluntarily (on its own terms) and was in good standing with the federation and its state association at the time of its departure.

Policy: Unaffiliated Games
The US Soccer Referee Committee is concerned about the number of referees officiating unaffiliated matches. While referees cannot be prohibited from working these games, the Referee Committee requests that all state and local referee administrators strongly discourage referees within their jurisdiction from working these games. Only in doing so will these unaffiliated leagues be encouraged to become affiliated.
Here are some ample reasons why referees should not work these games:
  1. No assessments may be accepted from games in unaffiliated leagues.
  2. There is no liability insurance coverage when a referee is working in unaffiliated leagues.
  3. If the referee is assaulted or should there be any other serious misconduct, there's no assurance any disciplinary body will review and act on it.
  4. The referee may not be able to fulfill state referee committee requirements to work a certain level of affiliated games to maintain grade.
  5. The referee's U.S. Soccer Federation registration may be denied should the referee refuse to work affiliated games over unaffiliated games.
  6. Referees who have worked more unaffiliated games than affiliated games may be refused registration.
NOTE: Interscholastic and intercollegiate competitions are not considered to be affiliated or unaffiliated for the purposes of this policy.

 Thank you for your attention to these points. I welcome any questions or comments you might have.

Happy New Year,

Central District Administration:

DRA: Ali Saheli
DOA: Dr. John David
DOI: Steve Chott

Ali Saheli
P.O. Box 1901
Columbia MO 65205
Contact the DRA (Ali Saheli) by clicking here.