By Anonymous (not verified), April 25, 2024
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
April 24, 2024-The pandemic affected everything, including the number of players and referees registered in organized soccer. But while the number of players returned to pre-pandemic levels, not so the number of refs as many decided to retire or spend much more time with their families on weekends.
The Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) is the largest ref organization by far in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Three years ago, LISRA was down to approximately 650 referees and could not have in-person certification classes because of the pandemic. Assignors sent out lists of dozens of uncovered games every weekend during the Spring and Fall Seasons plus many refs officiated all day on weekends to help ensure that all games would be covered with a certified official(s).
“The return of soccer games on Long Island after the worst of Covid was like a breath of fresh air! We went back to assigning referees to games and felt some normality returning,” explained LISRA President Cathy Caldwell. “However, our number of available referees had dwindled. It was a tough time finding referees to work games. So we sent out e-mails and letters to college coaches, spoke to some high school coaches, put recruitment signs out at tournaments and asked clubs to send e-mails to parents whose kids were 14 and above and playing soccer.”
LISRA now has 1,169 certified officials and exactly 1,000 of them are active. 439 LISRA officials are 21+ years old and most of them serve mainly as referees. 730 LISRA officials are 14 to 20 years old and they generally are assistant referees although some are being promoted to referee through LISRA's assessment and evaluation process. The list of uncovered games released by LISRA assignors Rich Baroniunas and EJ Schwarz is now much lower.
Games Under-13 and up utilize three officials, one ref and two assistant referees, on a large field while matches Under-12 and below have one ref on a small-sided field who is helped by club linesmen volunteering their time in raising the flag when the ball goes over the touchline.
LISRA Recruitment Director Marty Foeppel and LISRA Assistant Referee Director Jean-Marie Maio pointed out several factors for the number of LISRA officials increasing 80% during the past three years:
• The return of in-person certification classes
• A large 25% increase in referee game fees for most matches played on Long Island
• Referees talking to kids ages 14+ about becoming a certified referee when checking in players and handing out LISRA's Become a Referee card
• Coaches and club presidents sending e-mails on how to become an official to their teenage players
• Recruitment signs at tournaments
• Enthusiastic assistant referees doing job fairs at their schools
• A streamlined and less cumbersome online recertification process developed by US Soccer that was easier to follow
“The LISRA Board of Directors were driven, as well as our referees. The success of all these actions was remarkable,” President Caldwell stated.
The certification class to become a referee or assistant referee consists 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, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org
For more info about becoming an official on Long Island, please contact Marty Foeppel at MartyFoeppel@gmail.com
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/