GTSC Coaches,
Please allow me to
introduce myself to those of you who may not know me. My name is Ed Boyer and I am the Referee
Coordinator for Great Teays Soccer. I
feel privileged to serve on the board in this capacity and to be entrusted with
this responsibility.
Rest assured that I take
my primary responsibility, which is to provide a healthy and safe soccer
environment for all participants, very seriously. The majority of my time during the season is
spent assigning referees to cover each and every one of the applicable
games. I also partner with the other
experienced GTSC adult referees to mentor and coach our new and inexperienced
referees.
This past spring, I
assigned 267 referee positions over an 8 week period with just 28
"Active" officials. I am very
fortunate to have 10 adult referees.
However, the majority of the games are covered by the remaining 18 youth
referees. In addition, 10 of my
officials were brand new, receiving their certifications in 2004 and officiating their very first games for GTSC this spring.
Every year, we lose good
experienced referees. 16 officials, who
refereed for me in 2003 for a total of 150 assignments, didn't recertify in
2004. One moved, some turned 16 or 17,
but too many didn't enjoy the experience.
Too many times, they were not treated with respect for trying to do the
best job they could do. Your GTSC board
members are committed to holding each of us accountable for our actions which
do not have a positive impact on the game.
Parents and coaches are
role models from which many of our young men and women learn behaviors that
they will carry into adulthood. Cooperation, respect and maturity among each of
us on the soccer field will encourage those qualities in the players. We owe it to them.
Outlined below are the
roles we should model as referee, coach, and parent. We are in fact, role models for life. Coaches, please share this message with your
parents. I have and will communicate to
my referees. Thanks for your consideration
and help this season.
Best regards,
Ed Boyer
GTSC Referee Coordinator
REFEREES:
What can they do
to make the game of soccer better for the players?
1. Know
the Law and the rules.
2. Be professional; i.e. on time, in proper uniform, prepared,
fit, etc.
3. Study
the game and the spirit of soccer.
4. Attend
meetings, clinics, and seminars.
5. Show
respect to players, coaches, parents and spectators.
6.
Explain rules, when needed.
7. Help
less experienced referees.
8. Play
the game to better understand it.
9. Seek
evaluation from coaches/players.
10. Be
assessed regularly.
11. Smile
and enjoy the game.
12. Be
firm, fair and honest.
13. Be consistent.
14.
Accept only the number and level of assignments that can be done well.
15. Be neutral.
16. Know
and use proper procedures.
17.
Always remain calm.
18. Take
each game seriously.
19.
Implement good management techniques
20. Show
courage and confidence; avoid arrogance.
COACHES: What can they do to make the game of
soccer more enjoyable for the players and easier for the referee to manage?
1. Take a
course on the Laws.
2. Be
accepting of the referee's decisions.
3. Remain
calm.
4. Do not
make loud, offensive remarks.
5.
Concentrate on coaching, rather than on the accuracy of referee's decisions.
6. Be a
role model of fair play.
7. Be positive; avoid confrontation with any official
8. During
games, leave the decisions to the players.
9. Attend
coaching classes to learn the most effective ways to conduct practices.
10. Give
good guidelines to parents.
11. Set
high standards.
12. Be
firm with parents at games.
13. Teach
skills and fair tactics.
14.
Discourage unfair gamesmanship.
15.
Communicate with parents often in meetings and social gatherings.
16. Play
the game and encourage parents to play and to referee.
17.
Referee games.
18.
Delegate responsibilities.
PARENTS: What can parents do to make the game
of soccer more enjoyable for their children and other people's kids, too?
1. Be knowledgeable of the game.
2.
Encourage fair play at home.
3. Be supportive; i.e. be sure the player attends practices;
pick him/her up on time.
4. Attend
games.
5. Be positive or quiet at games.
6. Be respectful; expect your own children to be respectful.
7. Focus
on good nutrition.
8.
Volunteer to help the coach.
9. Become
a referee.
10. Play
the game of soccer.
11. Be
calm and have good manners.
12.
Support the coach's and referee's decisions.
13.
Encourage communication between coach and parent.
14. Ask
your own children to describe his/her role, what new skills have been learned.
15. Watch
practices; focus on new strategies
16. Find
soccer videos, watch them with children.
17.
Concentrate on praising other people's children during games.
18. Read
newspaper articles about older soccer player's successes; provide models for
your own children.
Soccer ... the game for kids!