Overview

To enhance the quality of New Referee Courses and foster collaboration between clubs and the New Hampshire State Referee Committee (NHSRC), this proposal introduces a program that offers up to four free course registrations per course to clubs that supply a team of at least 12 players & 2 chaperones to participate in the field training session of the course.

These free registrations can be allocated by the club to any eligible individual—players, coaches, or parents—who meet the requirements set forth by U.S. Soccer for participation in the referee program (Age 13+). To ensure the integrity and focus of the training session, individuals attending as players cannot simultaneously be enrolled as referee candidates in the same session. Such individuals may use their free registration for any other available referee course within the same registration year. By streamlining field sessions with pre-arranged players, this initiative ensures that referee mentors can focus exclusively on training referees, creating a more effective and professional learning environment.

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Program Details

1. Free Registrations for Clubs:
   • For each First-Time Referee Course that a club supports, the club is eligible to receive three course registrations that can be allocated to any individual (Age 13+ per US Soccer) the club selects, as well as one course registration exclusively for an adult (Age 18+) that the club selects.
   • These free registrations can be used for any individual the club selects, provided they meet U.S. Soccer’s eligibility criteria for referee registration. Eligible individuals include players, coaches, or parents interested in becoming referees.
     • NOTE: Free registrations must be used within the same registration year and do not cover the cost of background screening for individuals over the age of 18.
   • Individuals participating as players in the field training session are not permitted to also enroll as referee candidates in the same session. Such individuals must use their free registration for any other available course (or future course). This ensures the training session remains focused and effective.
2. Player Participation Requirements
   • Clubs must provide a team of at least 12 players & 2 chaperones to attend the field training session.
   • Clubs can participate in any available field session. However, it should be noted that there may not be a second class available in the area for players to utilize the free registration if the players participating in the field session wish to use the free registration.
3. Requirements for players:
   • Age: Players must be a minimum of 12 years of age
   • Timeliness: Players must arrive 30 minutes before the start of the scheduled field session to receive instructions from the referee mentors.
   • Commitment: Players must remain present and actively engaged for the entire duration of the field session.
   • Players will act as participants in simulated game scenarios to provide referees with realistic situations for training purposes, such as managing offside calls, fouls, and game flow.
4. Requirements for Chaperones:
   • Chaperones must be licensed coaches affiliated with the club and must have successfully completed their annual background screening.
5. Enhanced Field Training Focus
   • Referee mentors will dedicate their time to instructing new referees without needing to explain player roles during the session.
   • Players will be prepped on their responsibilities before the session begins, enabling mentors to focus on referee-specific education and feedback.

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Benefits of the Program

1. Enhanced Training Quality
   • By ensuring that players are available and prepped for the field sessions:
     • Referee mentors can focus entirely on teaching and guiding new referees.
     • New referees will benefit from high-quality, practical training that simulates real match conditions, which is critical for skill development.
2. Support for Clubs and the Soccer Community
   • Clubs receive financial benefits through free registrations, which they can allocate to players, coaches, or parents, reducing the barriers to entry for prospective referees.
   • Clubs’ active participation in referee development strengthens relationships between referees and the broader soccer community, fostering mutual respect and collaboration.
3. Improved Recruitment and Retention
   • Offering free registrations serves as an incentive for clubs to encourage individuals to pursue officiating, addressing the ongoing need for more referees.
   • The professional and structured training environment increases the likelihood that new referees will remain engaged and confident in their role.

 

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Logistics

1. Registration Process
   • Clubs will register eligible individuals for the free course slots through a designated NHSRC process.
   • Individuals receiving the free registrations must meet all U.S. Soccer eligibility requirements for referee registration, including minimum age and completion of required pre-course materials.
   • Individuals serving as players for a field session may not simultaneously be registered as referee candidates for that session. This rule ensures the field session’s focus on referee development. If such individuals wish to become referees, they can utilize their free registration for another available course or future course.
2. Player Coordination
   • Clubs will appoint a contact person responsible for coordinating player attendance.
   • Players will be briefed on their roles and responsibilities in advance to ensure a seamless and efficient field session.
3. Communication and Promotion
   • NHSRC will promote the program through various channels, including email communications, social media, and direct outreach to club administrators.
   • Detailed guidelines and timelines will be provided to clubs to ensure smooth participation and adherence to program requirements.

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Expected Outcomes

1. Improved Efficiency in Field Training
   • With pre-arranged players, referee mentors can focus entirely on teaching new referees, maximizing the impact of the training sessions.
   • Referees gain practical experience in a realistic and supportive environment, better preparing them for real matches.
2. Strengthened Collaboration Between Clubs and NHSRC
   • Clubs play an active role in referee development, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and community.
   • This partnership strengthens the relationships between clubs, referees, and the NHSRC, promoting a unified approach to improving the soccer ecosystem in New Hampshire.
3. Increased Referee Recruitment and Retention
   • By reducing financial barriers and offering professional training experiences, this program encourages more individuals to join the referee community.
   • The support provided by clubs and the high-quality training environment increases the likelihood that new referees will remain in the program long-term.

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Conclusion

This program offers a unique opportunity to enhance referee training while building stronger connections between clubs and the officiating community. By incentivizing clubs to provide players for field sessions, referee mentors can focus on their core mission of developing confident and competent referees. Clubs, in turn, benefit from free course registrations that can be allocated to eligible individuals, reducing costs and encouraging participation.

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NHSRC Field Sessions Currently Scheduled

Contact Cullen Madden, SYRA at SYRA@NHReferee.org if your club can support one or more of these First-Time Referee field sessions. At this time, in cases where more than one club contacts us to participate in a single session, we will select the club that confirms participation with us first. 

For more information about the NHSRC or the First-Time Referee Course, go to our website nhreferee.org.