AYSO Section 3, Area E, Region 222

Youth Referee Mentor Guidelines

Purposes of these guidelines

1.     To support the flow of new talent to the regional referee program

2.     To increase retention among newly trained referees

3.     To develop referees for advancement (i.e. National Program)

4.     To enhance the experience of youth referees

5.     To develop mentoring skills among mentors

6.     To support the six philosophies of AYSO

Procedures

Referee Mentor

Referee Mentor Identification, Appointment and Assignment

Referee Administrator with the assistance and support of the Regional Commissioner, the Area Referee Administrator and the Regional Referee Trainer will identify and appoint a Referee to be trained to act as a Referee Mentor.

Referee Administrator with the assistance and support of the Regional Commissioner, the Area Referee Administrator and the Regional Referee Trainer will assign the Referee Mentor to new Referees or new Referee Teams.  In either case, the total number of new Referees assigned to each Referee Mentor should not exceed three (3).

Referee Mentor Qualifications

-Required/Minimum Qualifications

Regional (Basic) Referee Certification

Current Safe Haven Certification & Volunteer Form

At least one (1) year of experience as a Referee

-Recommended Qualifications     

Intermediate Referee Certification

Current Safe Haven Certification & Volunteer Form

At least three (3) years of experience as a Referee

-Additional/Desirable Qualifications

Committed to AYSO

Ready to devote time and energy

Good people and communication skills

Good observer

Positive teacher

Good listen skills

Encouraging and understanding

Good knowledge of the LOTG and referee mechanics

Referee Mentor Requirements

Training: Successfully complete the Intermediate Referee Course Module 19

Testing: 90% or better on the Intermediate Referee Exam

Appointment: Appointed as a Referee Mentor by the Regional Referee Administrator or the Regional Director of Assessment.

Authorized to: Mentor Regional Referees for upgrade to Intermediate Referee

Referee Mentor will be supplied with the Referee Mentor/Advisor Handbook supplied by The AYSO National Support & Training Center

At season kick off meeting, Regional Referee Administrator will meet with Regional Referee Mentor to discuss assignments or possible future assignments.

New (Youth) Referees

Responsibility: Regional Referee Administrator

1.     Recruit (Youth) Referees

a.     Discuss advantages of becoming an AYSO Volunteer Referee, along with the expectations.

2.     Gain Commitment from (Youth) Referees

3.     Follow up to ensure that those that have committed have completed:

a.     Volunteer Form

b.     Safe Haven Training

c.      On-line Referee Companion Course

4.     Work with Area Referee Administrator and Regional/Area Referee Trainer to set up the in-class training

5.     Ensure that all newly trained referees have the appropriate equipment and uniforms

6.     Assign each newly trained (Youth) Referee to a trained Referee Mentor

Progress Check

Responsibility: Regional Referee Administrator

1.     Regional Referee Administrator will set up a meeting (telephone meeting is acceptable) with the Regional Referee Mentor between three to four weeks from the beginning of the season to check progress.

2.     At season’s end, another meeting will occur to determine if the youth referee will continue as a referee, and if so if the mentoring will continue or if the youth referee can graduate from the mentor program.