The Indiana Referee Report

March 2023

Fitness Training and Field Training Session dates have been released for 2024 registration! Both are requirements for regional referees. You can choose to participate in both events on the same or different days. Please sign up soon using this form! Both events will take place in Indianapolis on the following dates. The fitness test will be hosted in the morning followed by the field training session in the afternoon. Exact times and locations will be released closer to the scheduled dates. Consider signing up for an early date in case a make up is required. We will need at least 10 officials to run the field training session so please sign up at least 5 days before the event (March 1, April 11th, May 23rd).

NASO Survey The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) just launched a comprehensive officiating study to help with recruitment, retention, and controversial issues officials face. Make your voice heard by participating in this survey! We will be sure to share the results with you in August when they are released to the public. Keep in mind this is a longer survey (30-40 minutes), but it does not need to be completed in one session. The deadline to complete this is March 15th.

State Cup Have you signed up to work State Cup, Presidents Cup, or Challenge Cup games yet? Make sure you sign up today! New this year, we will be trying to assign breaks in everyone’s schedule (ex: 9am game, 11am break for lunch, 1pm game). The deadline is March 30th. Please fill out this form, and mark your calendars for May 5-7, May 19-21, and finals June 3-4. All games will be hosted at Grand Park in Westfield, IN. Not from the Indianapolis area? No problem! We can provide hotels for out of town referees interested in attending. More details to come. Until then, if you have questions, please contact State Director of Assignments, Tony Delois, tony.delois@indianareferees.org

Regional Events Have you ever wanted to meet fellow referees from around the Midwest, learn from the best Referee Coaches and Mentors in the country, or referee a regional championship game? Presidents Cup Regionals and Midwest Regional Championships are two great events for you to consider. We are looking for referees that would be interested in representing Indiana at Presidents Cup Regionals June 16th-20th in West Chester Township, OH (near Cincinnati) and Midwest Regional Championships June 23rd-28th in St. Louis, MO. If you are interested in attending either event please apply via this form. Both events are an incredible place to meet and work with the best referees from all over the midwest! Not to mention, you will receive some of the best coaching the region has to offer. If you are interested in progressing as a referee or just want to see what all the hype is about, we highly encourage you to apply here for this great opportunity! Deadline is March 30th so sign up soon! Please contact State Youth Referee Administrator, Eric Hench, eric.hench@indianareferees.org with any questions.

Saturday Spotlights Did you see our recent interviews with our 2023 Referees of the Year - Eric Burton, Dana Hackney, and Caleb Sow? Be sure to check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

New Referees Do you have any friends, family, teammates, coaches, or coworkers who would like to referee? We have lots of upcoming entry level courses coming up throughout the state! Help us spread the word and share this link with anyone that you think might be interested. The more the merrier!

March 1st - Indiana Soccer League (ISL) begins - contact your DRA

March 3rd - 5th - Men’s Circle City College Showcase - Westfield

Nate Sinders & Dave Howard

nathansindersassigning@gmail.com

fshoward@sbcglobal.net

https://forms.gle/LvUXBxMhDJxdyMjZ6

March 5th - Regional Fitness Test & Field Training Session - Indianapolis

https://tinyurl.com/bdd2mynm

March 10th - 12th - Indiana Fire Juniors Classic U13-U19 - Westfield

Nate Sinders & Dave Howard

nathansindersassigning@gmail.com

fshoward@sbcglobal.net

https://forms.gle/f8A8uhVvuiAoqne16

March 10th - 12th - Indy Premier Turf Invitational - Indianapolis

Nate Sinders

nathansindersassigning@gmail.com

https://forms.gle/VNobHUv9g7ELsJse9

March 17th - 19th - 2023 Southern Indiana Showcase - Evansville

Mike Williams

mikewilliams2@roadrunner.com

March 17th - 19th - Region Cup College Showcase - Crown Point

Ismail Attallah

ismail.attallah@indianareferees.org

March 18th - 19th - Indiana Fire Juniors Classic U9-U12 - Westfield

Nate Sinders & Dave Howard

nathansindersassigning@gmail.com

fshoward@sbcglobal.net

https://forms.gle/f6oUAF11THV2GZNz6

March 31st - April 2nd - Midwest Turf Challenge - Westfield

Nate Sinders & Dave Howard

nathansindersassigning@gmail.com

fshoward@sbcglobal.net

https://forms.gle/UFtvZj6JNsANdHkc8

April 1st - 2nd - April Fools Kick Off - Jeffersonville - Teresa Knear-Solorzano

teresa@indianareferees.org

April 14th - 16th - Indy Burn Cup - Indianapolis - Keith Mitchell

keith.mitchell@yahoo.com

April 16th - Regional Fitness Test & Field Training Session - Indianapolis

https://tinyurl.com/bdd2mynm

April 21st - 23rd - Midwest Soccer Classic - Terre Haute - Noah Sutton

travelassignor@vcysa.org

https://tinyurl.com/mu5mab49

April 21st - 23rd - Red Lion Invitational - Lawrence - Tony Delois

tony.delois@indianareferees.org

April 21st - 23rd - Boy’s Crossroads College Showcase - Westfield

Nate Sinders & Dave Howard

nathansindersassigning@gmail.com

fshoward@sbcglobal.net

https://forms.gle/CuY4Sxw1K9KwVNVv6

April 28th - 30th - Girl’s Crossroads College Showcase - Westfield

Nate Sinders & Dave Howard

nathansindersassigning@gmail.com

fshoward@sbcglobal.net

https://forms.gle/EyAVhCR6QLVn4Gqp7

April 29th - 30th - Shoot for the Cure - Fort Wayne - Joe Silva

hoosierbarber39@gmail.com

2023 Registration Have you registered yet for 2023? Now is the time to sign up! The course is 100% online, but make sure you complete it on time to maintain your certification. The official deadline will be announced soon! Log in to the US Soccer Learning Center to register. If you have any questions, please contact your District Referee Administrator (DRA) for more information.

USSF Badge New this year! No more sending a self-addressed pre-stamped envelope to your DRA. We have partnered with Official Sports International (OSI) to help us distribute 2023 badges in a timely manner. Please be patient as we make this transition. If you have not received your badge within the next couple weeks, please contact your DRA.

Wanted: New Referee Mentors Are you at least 18 years of age, been a registered referee for at least 2 years, and have a passion for teaching, guiding, or supporting new referees? We would love to help you become a certified mentor! Stay tuned using our website, social media and newsletters as we announce updates on course offerings. If you have any questions about the process, contact Mentor & Referee Coach Coordinator, Jeff Swartzel (jeff.swartzel@indianareferees.org).

Regional Referees We have clarified all upgrade and maintenance regional referee requirements on our website. More details will follow soon. In order to upgrade you need to meet these requirements:

In order to maintain your regional badge, you need to meet these requirements:

Note: Male referees are required to run the FIFA Women’s Category 1 test which consists of 6 repeated 40 meter sprints in 6.4 seconds or less (sprint test) and 40 repeated 75 meter runs in 17 seconds followed by a 25 meter walk in 20 seconds (interval test). Female referees are required to run the FIFA Women’s Category 3 test which consists of 6 repeated 40 meter sprints in 6.6 seconds or less (sprint test) and 40 repeated 75 meter runs in 17 seconds followed by a 25 meter walk in 24 seconds (interval test). The audio recordings for both interval tests can be downloaded here. Questions about becoming a regional referee? Check out our website first, then contact State Director of Development, Ben Trevino ben.trevino@indianareferees.org.

Upcoming Newsletters Let us know if you have someone you think should be recognized, any referee stories, or pictures you would like us to share in an upcoming newsletter. Email us at communications@indianareferees.org.

February Newsletter In case you missed it, our February newsletter can be found here.

April Preview Stay tuned as we continue to update our website, release a new logo, join social media, and much more!

Photo Credit: Saleem Abufares & Julie Tobin Gerard

http://www.indianareferees.org/