With the Spring season winding down, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on issues that have come to my attention over the past 6 months.  Like with all organizations, we are constantly trying to improve how we set and accomplish goals.

First off, I would like to thank those who registered for the 2010 year in a timely fashion.  It means a lot to me as SYRA to have minimal registration issues when considering referees for assignments.  This is key because when we start a calendar year, I have many deadlines at the Region 1 level that needs to be met.  This could entail Region 1 tournaments, games and camps.  The deadlines are often before the Spring season starts, so my choices are typically limited to those who are registered by March 1^st.

The criterion that I set expands beyond just registration.  Factors such as desire, initiative, experience and attitude also play a major role, as does the longevity of a referee’s future career within the organization.  Being a smaller state in the Region 1 family, we are afforded very few slots for the ODP Tournament and the NCS Championship series, with even fewer slots for President’s Cup and ODP Camp.  All of these things help me and my fellow SRC members shape our vision as to where we need to take the program and who can help us get there.  This poses a conundrum for us as administrators, especially since we hold the program to high standards and as such, the referees.

In the course of the last 18 months of my tenure as SYRA, a loosely structured group of referees was formed as a pilot to attempt to create a self-driven, mutually supportive core group of young referees that would help each other and help similarly minded referees reach goals of advancement in Grade, fitness and overall camaraderie within our organization.  Groups like this existed in the past in New Hampshire and produced very successful, young referees at the state, regional and national levels.  The hard work of John Breda, and Kevin Coeyman, planted the seeds and they continue to foster the group.  Who better to help this group get started than two who had been through the process before as young, upcoming referees.  Their insight has helped launch the start of a great tool with which we can improve our overall abilities.

There have been some grumblings that I have heard regarding this group.  Concerns that it is “elite,” “exclusive” and part of an “old boy’s” network are circulating and I would like to address that; I would love it to be exactly that; an exclusive group that is open to anyone who has the commitment to grow as a referee.

However, it is not really exclusive!  Any young referee, who has the drive, initiative, motivation and commitment to not only learning the craft of officiating, but is willing to develop off the field by training with the group, reviewing directives, position papers and studying film clips as well as bonding in non-soccer environments is more than welcome to contact John, Kevin or myself  about joining.

Please keep in mind that commitment to the group is very important.  Just because you think it is right for you, doesn’t necessarily mean you are right for it.  There are monthly meetings and other criteria that can make it difficult for a person to juggle their social life, school life and officiating.  My experience with the group has been that family and school come first, but consistent absence from group activities often leads to a poor use of everyone’s time.  While there is no length of service standards, we are looking for 13 to 18 year olds to enter the group who are Grade 7 or 8 referees and want to pursue a more intense career in the program. Out of this program, it is hoped a group of highly experienced, competent and fit referees are developed to work high-level matches and out of state tournaments initially at the youth level and advance to the adult level for items like US Soccer Cup matches, etc. 

Many of you do not know the names of Jimmy “Rambo” Brooks, Stephanie Thornton, Liz Thornton, or even John Breda (to name a few), however all of these were products of such a group. All were recognized as some of the top youth referees in Region 1.  Some were even selected to attend US Youth Soccer Nationals.  All of them brought their knowledge back to all they worked with here in NH to help others grow as referees.  This is also part of the development group’s charter; help the referee program in NH grow through peer instruction and this is already happening and will continue moving forward.

Another issue that I would like to address is that of assignments to State Tournaments.  I am responsible for assigning the following State sponsored tournaments and events – NHSA U-10 Festival, Kohl’s USYS American Cup, NHSA Youth Open Cup, NHSA State Cup and the NHSA Fall Tournament as well as NHSA ODP Friendlies.  These events and tournaments provide me and my fellow SRC members the opportunity to see a referee’s ability, commitment, professionalism and attitude.  I am greatly saddened when I hear that only certain referees are getting all the assignments.  I can assure you all that when I send out emails soliciting referees for these events, the lack of response is incredible.  It is no secret that these events are not as lucrative financially as other leagues.  However, neither I, nor my fellow members of the SRC have the time to visit multiple venues to see a handful of referees.  We do have real, paying jobs that need our attention.  When I send an email out looking for help on these events and get less than a 1% response, my natural inclination is to go to those referees who have shown their support for the program and ask them.  You are the ones who can make it happen for you.  I don’t want you to think that you are instantly a candidate for State Cup just because you tell me that’s what you want to do.  Like all professions, you need to work the ranks and progress.  There will be some who progress faster than others, but I will not know who they are if I don’t know what they can do.  If you want to work these events, then I need to know that is what you want to do.  I would hope that you all would understand that you were not ready for a U17B match the first day on the pitch.  The same concept applies here.  State Cup, ODP Friendlies and Regional events are very demanding.  It is some of the best soccer in the state.  I want you and I to be comfortable in the assignment process so that we can deliver the quality the players and the game deserve. 

I hope that you have gained some useful information and insight as to the workings of what I am trying to do as SYRA.  I want each of you to get what you want from the program, but you must remember that it is also about what you put into it.  I am very easy to talk with and am always willing to listen to your ideas, comments and opinions.  I hope the remainder of the year goes well for you in all your endeavors.

For the good of the game,

Frank C. Scarito, SYRA