HVSRA Mentoring Program: “a rising tide lifts all boats”

The initiative focuses on the positive development of the official, so they are better educated, supported, maintained, and retained.  Our directive is for each and every referee in our association to be seen by a trained mentor, at least once during the spring campaign.  The mentors are age-appropriate individuals who are dedicated to assisting our 500+ referees better themselves.  It is a Herculean goal of ours, but we are dedicated and committed to seeing all 500+ referees.  

The mentors will be located between the two technical areas of the field, and will introduce themselves to the coaches as the mentor for the match.  They are primarily there to support the referee team (1 or 3 man-system).  They know, and will intervene with the coaching staff, if the mentor feels the coach is becoming "negatively animated" towards the referees.

If you are a HVSRA official and would like a mentor, please complete the HVSRA Mentor Request Form

Upgrading

Prior to upgrading from Grassroots to Regional, it is recommended that you receive three observations from our HVSRA Mentor Staff. These observations and feedback will help prepare you for the upgrade process to the Regional level. As an official, it is your responsibility to coordinate appropriate level matches for you to be observed. Once these observations are complete, a letter of recommendation from the HVSRA board shall be issued and the first of two assessments can be scheduled.

The following information has been extracted from the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook and recent memoranda. Referees who are registered with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) may upgrade to the next referee grade once they have satisfied specific requirements.

Upgrading requires:

• Minimum age

• Game experience at the appropriate level, Use Game Portfolio to track your matches.

• Time in present grade

• Training courses

• Written examination

• Assessments

• Physical Fitness Test

Because of the complexity of upgrading, it is strongly recommended that you contact a member of the HVSRA Board, your mentor, and the State Director of Assessment to ensure you satisfy all requirements.

The following are required for moving from Grassroots to Regional Referees, in the calendar year prior to the year becoming a new Regional referee:

1. A written recommendation by the HVSRA Board to the ENY State Referee Committee, supporting your intention and request to upgrade from Grassroots to Regional;

2. 3 on-field assessments, two at an amateur adult match, and one at a youth match [U18/19]. All assessments will be as the center referee position;

3. Complete the game count log found in the HVSRA membership area. 25 matches as a center referee and 15 matches as an assistant referee ALL in adult matches;

4. Complete the FIFA Women’s Fitness Test;

5. Complete the written Regional Exam;

6. Pay the required Regional referee fee. 

Assessment - for Upgrade or Maintenance

Assessors observe the on-field performance a crew of officials and subsequently provide verbal (and written) feedback to the crew after the match. Assessments must be at an appropriate level of competition when considering USSF upgrades or for maintaining USSF Regional and above. See the Referee Administrative Handbook for specific requirements and further information on re-certification and upgrading.

Additionally, assessments are a great way to improve your skills as a referee. The culmination of an assessment is the face-to-face candid and pointed discussion about your performance during game situations. The assessed should leave the discussion with knowledge that will help him or her become a more competent referee or assistant referee. The assessment program is a dynamic tool, which provides immediate feedback about performance strengths and necessary performance improvements.

The types of elements of refereeing that an assessor looks for during a game assessment, is contained in the Grade Related Guidelines.

To be assessed, contact your State Director of Assessment. Tell him or her about your goals. He will ask you questions about your current experience and will subsequently recommend a course of action or a development plan. The development plan might include:

• Mentoring

• Assessment

• Collaboration with assignors at an appropriate level of competition

• Upgrading

Referees who require maintenance assessments to maintain their grade must have their assessments completed before attending a re-certification clinic.

Physical Fitness Requirements

A physical fitness test is required for upgrading and maintaining your current classification. The fitness test is typically administered by designated United States Soccer Federation Instructors. A document signed by the individual conducting the test is required. Fitness tests must be taken within a six-month period preceding the start of a new season or the date of registration.

The referee must pass all of the events that are part of the test at the same testing session. A reasonable rest period should be allowed between events.

Physical fitness requirements vary according to your referee grade.

Grassroots Referees currently do not have a fitness requirement as established by USSF. However, HVSRA is in the process of creating a minimum standard for our officials.

Regional Referees will be required to pass the FIFA Women’s Referee fitness test.

National Referees will be required to pass the FIFA Men’s Referee fitness test.