AYSO Region 109 Referee Mentoring Program

• Feel a little off ref'ing last Saturday's match?
• Tired of getting harassed from the sidelines?
• Looking for an answer to that perplexing refereeing question?

Maybe we can help.

We are setting up a referee mentoring program for Menlo Park AYSO this fall. The idea is to provide a positive environment where new referees can learn from their more experienced colleagues. We're not talking about critical assessments here. Learning to referee is stressful enough. We intend to provide informal observation and friendly advice. Check out the goals of our program:

• Make resources available to volunteer referees:
  • a) through informal on-field observation;
  • b) through informal advice and consultation;
  • c) via electronic media such as the Web.
• Facilitate the job of referee coordinators:
  • a) by providing contacts to refs from other divisions;
  • b) by publishing referee information of general use.
• Encourage referee education and development:
  • a) by advertising referee clinics and advanced courses;
  • b) by offering opportunities to ref in different gender/age groups.

• Provide mentors for referees who specifically request them, and in general for all candidates for Area-level badges and above.
• Assign experienced refs to observe lower-age group games on a drop-in basis. Such refs will assist the regular referee team by helping with sideline control and by offering supportive advice. We hope to assign 2 or 3 upper-level refs to each age/gender group.
• Encourage higher-level refs to volunteer in at least one lower-level age group.
• Find assignments for refs looking for a more challenging age group.

• Want a mentor? Send us (specifically the Director of Mentoring) a message, and we'll arrange one for you.
• Want to be a mentor?  Tell us who you are, and we'll figure out how you can help.
• Want to try a more challenging game? Let us know and we'll see what we can do.