overview:
The pandemic has affected everything including the number of players and referees registered in organized soccer.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected everything, including the number of players and referees registered in organized soccer. But while the number of players has returned to pre-pandemic levels, there aren't as many referees, some of whom have decided to retire or spend more time with their families on the weekends.
The Long Island Soccer Referees Association is the largest officiating organization in the Eastern New York State Youth Soccer Association. Three years ago, LISRA was down to about 650 judges and unable to hold in-person certification classes due to the pandemic. Allocators sent out a list of dozens of unreleased games every weekend during the spring and fall seasons. We also had a large number of referees on duty throughout the weekend, ensuring that all matches were officiated by certified referees.
“After the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, the return of soccer games on Long Island was like a breath of fresh air. We returned to assigning referees to games and returned to normalcy. It felt like we were back,” LISRA President Kathy Caldwell said. “But the number of umpires was dwindling. It was hard to find umpires for work games. So we sent emails and letters to college coaches, talked to some high school coaches, and… We asked clubs to put up recruiting signs at tournaments and send out emails to parents with children aged 14 and over who play soccer.”
Currently, LISRA has 1,169 certified personnel, of which exactly 1,000 are active. A total of 439 LISRA officials are over the age of 21, and most of them serve primarily as referees. The approximately 730 LISRA officials are between the ages of 14 and 20 and are typically assistant referees, although some are promoted to chief referee through LISRA's evaluation and evaluation process. The list of unreleased games released by LISRA assignee Rich Baroniunas and his EJ Schwarz is now much lower down.
For Under-13 matches, there will be a large field with three referees, one referee and two assistant referees, while for Under-12 matches, there will be one referee on a smaller side field, with a club linesman. volunteers to help raise the flag. when the ball crosses the touchline.
LISRA Recruitment Director Marty Foppel and LISRA Assistant Referee Director Jean-Marie Maio pointed to several factors that have led to an 80 percent increase in the number of LISRA employees over the past three years.
- Resuming in-person certification classes
- Umpire match fees will be significantly increased by 25% for most games played on Long Island
- When checking in players and handing out LISRA “Become a Referee” cards, referees talk to children ages 14 and older about becoming a certified referee.
- Coaches and club presidents are emailing teenage players about how to become officials.
- Recruitment signboard at the tournament
- Enthusiastic assistant referee holding job fair at school
- Streamlined, hassle-free online recertification process that's easier to follow, developed by US Soccer
“Not only the LISRA board was enthusiastic, but our referees were enthusiastic as well. The success of all of these actions was amazing,” Caldwell said.
Certification classes to become a referee or assistant referee consist of both online and classroom learning. For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/.If you have any questions, please contact us by email [email protected]
For more information about becoming a Long Island employee, contact Foeppel. [email protected].