Why was this program initiated?

Prior to the start of this program, there was a steady decline in the number of referees officiating games. This was especially true for adult referees. To reverse this trend, San Ramon Soccer Club instituted a Required Referee Program.

What are the goals of this program?

The primary goal is to increase the number of referees officiating games in San Ramon. Other goals are:

• Increase the percentage of adult referees.
   
• Provide referees for U9 and U10 REC games where coverage has been very sparse in the past.
   
• Provide full coverage for all Copper and U12 REC games.
   
• Create experienced referees able to officiate older age group Division 4 games.
   
• Create experienced referees able to officiate COMP games.
   
• Increase parental participation in SRS.
  

Which teams are included in the program?

For 2011, the following age groups are included in the program:

• COMP teams       U10 through U14
   
• Copper teams           U10, U12, and U14
   
• REC teams               U10 through U12  

Each team will be notified at Team Managers meeting for COMP and Coaches meeting for REC/Copper.

Why were these age groups selected?

These age groups were selected for the following reasons:

• Prior to the start of this program, there were very few referees associated with these age groups.
   
• New referees start with Division 4 games (REC or Copper games) for the selected age groups, which is where we need the most help.
   
• Because of the age of the players, the new referees will mostly be parents. We need more adults to become involved.
   
• These age groups have the largest number of teams thus providing a large number of referees.
   
• We are looking for parents that will be involved in soccer for many years and hopefully will referee for several of those years becoming experienced referees.
   
• Referees require experience in order to officiate older and competitive teams. Starting with the lower age groups will allow the referees to grow with their teams and allow them to officiate age groups close to the age of their players.
  

Why not require referees from all teams?

The biggest reason is that it would not be possible schedule enough referee courses to train everyone needing to become a referee. Another big reason is that we are investing in referees for the future. The club needs experienced referees to officiate COMP and older age group Division 4 games. It requires several years of experience in order to officiate these games. Requiring referees from teams in older age groups would not allow them the years of experience necessary to advance past the entry level games before they leave youth soccer.

How does the program work?

The Required Referee Program game requirement will be unique for the different levels of play: COMP, Copper, and REC. In each case, the game count is related to the number of games played within San Ramon. Games are credited to a team by referees registered as affiliated with that team. In order to be affiliated with a team, the referee MUST be a relative of a player on that team. It would be best for each team to have more than one referee in case that one referee is unable to complete the requirement. Parents with children on multiple teams covered by this program may satisfy the requirement for all their teams. However, each game officiated will count towards only one team’s requirement. Referees may officiate either as a Referee (in the center) or as an Assistant Referee to meet the requirement. Only games officiated within San Ramon and listed on the Referee Administration web site qualify towards meeting the game requirement.

How does a team get credit for a game?

Referees declare their affiliation with a team by adding a team affiliation on the Referee Administration web site. When entering game a report for a completed game, the referee selects the team from their affiliation list which receives credit for that game. Referees may be affiliated with multiple teams, but a specific game may be credited to only one team. The status for each team is available on the Required Referee Program Status page on the Referee Administration web site. Referees needing assistance with the procedure should contact the Referee Director.

Required Referee Requirement for COMP Teams

Each U10 through U14 COMP team will make a $XXX deposit with SRS. Each team must provide a referee for at least six (6) regular season games (non-tournament games). If the six game total is not reached, the team earns a partial refund of $50 per game. The games officiated can be done at any time, can be any game in any division, and can be done as either the Center Referee or as an Assistant Referee but must be regular season games. Refunds will be paid to the team after the end of the regular season.

Required Referee Requirement for Copper Teams

Each U10, U12, and U14 Copper team will make a $100 deposit with SRS. Each team must provide a referee for at least eight games. These games can be during the regular season or during the Kickoff Tournament. The team earns back the $100 deposit plus a $25 bonus after completing eight games. Nothing is refunded if the eight game total is not reached. The games officiated can be done at any time, can be any game in any division, and can be done as either the Center Referee or as an Assistant Referee but must be regular season or Kickoff games. Refunds will be paid after the end of season. Copper teams not training any referees may be disbanded at the discretion of the Copper Program Coordinator.

Note:   Credits for Kickoff Tournament games will be applied by the Referee Committee after the completion of the tournament.

Required Referee Requirement for REC Teams

Each U10 through U12 REC team will make a $100 deposit with SRS. Each team must provide a referee for at least six games prior to being allowed to participate in a SRS sponsored non-regular season event (such as the end of season jamboree). To allow time for the scheduling of the event, the cutoff date for completion and reporting of the six games is 10 days prior to the event. Teams not completing their required games 10 days prior to the Crossroads  tournament will not be eligible to go to the tournament. There will be no exceptions made for any team. The game count must be reached. Teams may not "buy" their way out of the requirement nor may they use a non-affiliated referee to fulfill their requirement. The games officiated can be done at any time, can be any game in any division, and can be done as either the Center Referee or as an Assistant Referee but must be regular season games. As an incentive to officiate additional games beyond the cutoff date, an award and a gift certificate will be given at the AGM to the referee officiating the most games for a REC team within each age group (a total of six awards). To lessen the time commitment, referees affiliated with REC teams will be allowed to sign up for their own team’s games (assuming the positions have not already been filled), but the signup period for your own team’s game will be limited to one week prior to the game.

Training

To satisfy the Required Referee Requirement, the official must be a licensed referee. If not already licensed, the parent or older sibling must obtain training and become licensed. SRS sponsors a large number of referee courses to train new referees. A Grade 9 license will allow officiating of Division 4 (REC and Copper) games up to U14. A Grade 8 license allows officiating of any youth game after gaining appropriate experience. Parents of COMP players that wish to referee COMP matches by the end of the year need to become Grade 8 referees. Referee training courses can be taken anywhere. Courses are also available through neighboring clubs.

Costs

For referee training courses sponsored by SRS, the club picks up the cost for the referee course and the books. The student is responsible for their registration fee ($40 for Grade 8 and Grade 9). Also, referees must purchase their own uniform and any additional equipment they require. Starter packages can be found for as little as $50 (excluding footwear).

Benefits

Referees are paid for officiating games, even when officiating to satisfy the Required Referee Program requirements. In most cases, the first year of officiating more than covers your costs. Also, officiating four games satisfies the commitment needed for return of your $100 volunteer deposit (send form to the Referee Director). Also, SRS pays a bonus equivalent to your registration fee when you officiate 10 or more games.