UPDATED, 3/3/2008

 

  

FLORIDA REFEREE ACADEMY

 

POLICIES AND OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES

 

 

  1. PROGRAM VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT

The Florida Referee Academy is a continuing educational and developmental program for all Florida State referees, in order that they may reach their potential in officiating the youth regional cup; youth state cup; adult games; adult state cup; and, regional and professional competitions.  This is to be accomplished by the active participation of the Youth and the Adult State Associations staff, as well as the assessment, instructional, assignment and administrative staff of FSR.

 

  1. ELIGIBILITY

All FSR-affiliated and currently registered referees may apply to participate in the Area Academy events, who qualify by meeting the following criteria:

    • Minimum of age 17  (age 18, for State Academy events)
    • Minimum of USSF Grade 8
    • Completion of FYSA background check (mandatory)

 

  1. REFEREE DEVELOPMENT PATH

Referees who are recommended and accepted to the Academy program will be offered the opportunity to participate in an Academy training event for their Area (A, B, C, and D).  Upon successful completion of the requirements, and upon recommendation of the Area Director Referee Academy (ADRA), they may attend a State Academy event.  Following successful completion of the State Academy, along with meeting other requirements (i.e., appropriate USSF Grade), they will be offered advanced Academy training in conjunction with the FL Pro Clinic.

 

  1. ORGANIZATION

The Academy program in Florida shall be organized by areas that correspond to the FYSA Areas (A, B, C, D), each one under the management of an Area Director (ADRA), in cooperation with other FSR staff and FSSA/FYSA-affiliated soccer organizations.  The Area Academy events will be entry-level in nature; while the State Academy events will be both at the intermediate level (after completing an Area Academy), and at the advanced level, to be held in conjunction with the Pro Clinic.  Participation in the advanced (Pro Clinic-related) Academy will be mandatory for all National Referee candidates, prior to their being recommended to attend the USSF National camp.  This includes passing the fitness test.

 

 

  1. RECRUITMENT

Referee candidates for the Academies in each Area will be identified by a variety of sources and mentors, who will consist of higher-level referees; club assignors; club referee liaisons; along with FSR staff (assessors; instructors; assignors, and administrators).  This information (recommendations) will be provided to the Area Director Referee Academy (ADRA), who will maintain a record of Academy participants.  Final decision for acceptance of recommendations shall be that of the ADRA.

 

  1. MENTOR TRAINING

Mentor training will be provided to the referees, club liaison staff, and other FSR-related staff who will be involved in the identification and recommendation of appropriate candidates for the Academies.  Opportunities will be provided for representatives of these various groups to be observers and participants in  Academy events.

 

  1. REPORTS

The ADRA staff will coordinate with various FSR staff and other mentors to identify promising candidates, and will oversee and report the participation of applicants in their respective (area) programs.  Depending upon the number of applicants, there should be one or two Academy events each year in each Area.  Those who successfully meet the Area Academy requirements will be recommended by the ADRA for further (State-level) training opportunities.  A list of active (Area and State) participants will be maintained on the FSR website, available to be seen by those who are given access by the SRA.

 

  1. ACADEMY EVENT AGENDAS

Each Area Academy will follow a model agenda developed for that particular year’s training.  This will include a standard (USSF) fitness test; written test on the Laws of the Game; classroom and field instruction; training and related information for referee developmental opportunities.  Field training will include either informal observation or formal (upgrade) assessments, or both.

 

  1. RECOGNITION

Referees who complete the State (intermediate-level) Academy will be eligible for priority invitations to FYSA-sponsored tournaments, along with future training opportunities, such as the Academy in conjunction with the Pro Clinic.  Referees, who complete this advanced-level program, may be eligible to be invited to FSSA State Cup and other FSSA-affiliated, Select (adult) tournaments.

National Referee candidates will be required to participate in the Pro-Clinic Academy.

 

  1. OPERATIONAL SYLLABUS

Curriculums will be developed and updated annually for each level of Academy events, and will be offered as a standard model for each Area.