Winter/Spring 2018
Dear New Referee and Responsible Parties,
Thank you for your interest in refereeing soccer in Buffalo. Our local organization of officials is called the Buffalo and Western New York Soccer Referee Unit (BWNYSRU.) Refereeing can be a very rewarding experience where you meet new people, expand your knowledge of the game and have a non-traditional part-time job. Our unit is designed to teach, support and mentor referees of all ages and experience, as well as organize the logistics around "getting games."
This letter will provide important information for new referees to consider, so that you can decide to what extent you want to participate in local soccer and earn the privilege to officiate at different levels. The BWNYSRU is the only organization that provides officials for the local travel league and tournaments- e.g. the Junior Soccer League (JSL,) premier youth soccer and adult amateur leagues. If your interest lies in officiating only club house leagues or town recreational youth leagues, please consult those organization for further info, and no need to read further.
You must join the BWNYSRU to be assigned games in all the other leagues. For those interested in joining the BWNYWRU, please read below as there are important tasks that require immediate action so that you can begin officiating at the start of the travel season which begins the last week of April.
Step 1: Considering becoming a referee?
" Officiating is a job; professionalism and accountability are expected.
" You must be available most Friday nights during the spring/summer, as this is when new officials are assigned games.
" Compare your summer availability with other commitments- the more available you are to work (esp. on Fridays,) the higher chance you will get games.
" Time commitment for a standard JSL game is 6:15-8:15pm on weeknights.
" Just as the teams "travel," referees are expected to have transportation within ~15miles (or more) of their home to work games. If an official can only ride their bike or walk to specific field locations, their game assignments will be severely limited.
" Initial investment for courses and equipment: ~$215 -see break down below. (New officials may be able to earn about ~$25 per game when joining the BWNYSRU.)
Step 2: Take an entry level class (16 hours; course fee and registration through US Soccer Game Officials~$80)
Step 3: Decide to join the BWNYSRU ($40 annual dues; under age 14 is $20)
" Benefits of local membership:
o Ability to be assigned travel games.
o The unit provides ongoing guidance and instruction beyond the entry course. This is key to success in officiating, in order to learn local rules of competition, network with other referees, and learn how to be part of a referee crew.
o Referees have a tough job, and the unit is here to provide ongoing support.
o Be part of a community organization dedicated to the growth and quality of local soccer.
o In future, consideration for refereeing at state and regional tournaments (e.g. State Cup, ODP, Presidents Cup, Regionals.)
" Mentor Program: For many years, the BWNYSRU has had a very successful mentor program for new officials (trainees), recognized at the state level. All new referees regardless of age or previous officiating back ground are enrolled in the mentor program, for on field/real game practice of skills with help from an experienced official. Advancement to higher level games is based on feedback from your mentors and demonstrated officiating skill.
" In addition to the entry level class and in order to get games, new officials are required to:
o Buy a uniform (~$80)
o Attend an on-field assistant referee (AR) Clinic (3 hours, no additional cost.)
o Attend a classroom style- Unit Clinic (3 hours, no additional cost.)
o Attend the Parent/New Referee Meeting (new officials over age 18 and the parent/guardians of any official age 17 and under must attend.)
Step 4: In order to be assigned to officiate games, each referee will need to do the following:
1. Apply for a Risk Management Pass: This is a background check required by New York West Youth Soccer Association. This must be completed in order to work youth games, costs $15 and must be renewed every two years. Steps for registration can be found at wnyreferee.org under the Risk Management tab. Approval can take about two months for New York West to process the information, so complete this as soon as possible.
2. Have a Personal Email Account and Mobile Number: During the season, email is the primary mode of communication from the unit, game assignors, and Mentors to you the trainee. Email and text messaging must be checked daily (sometimes hourly). This is how you will receive Assignments, important unit announcements, last minute changes to games, and to confirm pregame logistics with officiating crew/mentor. Due to the use of Google Docs in the Mentor Program, it is suggested that a Gmail account is used. Each referee needs their own unique email address. We've found that Roadrunner and work email servers reject our group messages and referees need access to email at all times; therefore, these are not recommended.
3. Sign into Arbiter: This website (www.arbitersports.com) is our main program for sending emails to the unit, assigning schedules, accepting games and establishing your availability. Properly blocking days when you cannot officiate is crucial in being assigned games and in turn, advancing in the Mentor Program. Please take into account any school events, vacations, birthdays, soccer games and practice, etc. It is better to block a day and open your availability at a later date, than accept a game and turn it back later. Availability can be updated at any point throughout the year. You must check the "ready to be assigned" box to indicate you're ready for games.
4. Set up Arbiter Pay: This website (www.refpay.com) is the primary source for paying referees. You must create an account, while using the same email as your Arbiter account. Payroll is typically on a monthly basis, and emails are sent as a reminder that funds are available. You can choose how payment is sent to you or your bank account during the setup process.
This is a start to a lifelong love of the game from a different perspective. Over time, many referees find that officiating can be a great part-time income, social network and community involvement. We understand this is a lot of information; our unit clinics and meetings will provide further explanation and support so please ensure that you're checking email and attending.
Further information is available on the unit website buffalo.wnyreferee.org and arbiter site (under "lists," "forms.") If you have other questions, please contact the Mentor Committee at bwnysrumentorprogram@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
BWNYSRU Mentor Committee
2018 Entry Level Courses:
Mandatory AR Clinics:
3/11 9a-12p
3/18 9a-12p
3/24 9a-12p
All will be at the Village Glen Tennis/Amherst Soccer Center
Please contact Bill Helwig with questions.
To sign up, please click here.
Dear New Referee and Responsible Parties,
Thank you for your interest in refereeing soccer in Buffalo. Our local organization of officials is called the Buffalo and Western New York Soccer Referee Unit (BWNYSRU.) Refereeing can be a very rewarding experience where you meet new people, expand your knowledge of the game and have a non-traditional part-time job. Our unit is designed to teach, support and mentor referees of all ages and experience, as well as organize the logistics around "getting games."
This letter will provide important information for new referees to consider, so that you can decide to what extent you want to participate in local soccer and earn the privilege to officiate at different levels. The BWNYSRU is the only organization that provides officials for the local travel league and tournaments- e.g. the Junior Soccer League (JSL,) premier youth soccer and adult amateur leagues. If your interest lies in officiating only club house leagues or town recreational youth leagues, please consult those organization for further info, and no need to read further.
You must join the BWNYSRU to be assigned games in all the other leagues. For those interested in joining the BWNYWRU, please read below as there are important tasks that require immediate action so that you can begin officiating at the start of the travel season which begins the last week of April.
Step 1: Considering becoming a referee?
" Officiating is a job; professionalism and accountability are expected.
" You must be available most Friday nights during the spring/summer, as this is when new officials are assigned games.
" Compare your summer availability with other commitments- the more available you are to work (esp. on Fridays,) the higher chance you will get games.
" Time commitment for a standard JSL game is 6:15-8:15pm on weeknights.
" Just as the teams "travel," referees are expected to have transportation within ~15miles (or more) of their home to work games. If an official can only ride their bike or walk to specific field locations, their game assignments will be severely limited.
" Initial investment for courses and equipment: ~$215 -see break down below. (New officials may be able to earn about ~$25 per game when joining the BWNYSRU.)
Step 2: Take an entry level class (16 hours; course fee and registration through US Soccer Game Officials~$80)
Step 3: Decide to join the BWNYSRU ($40 annual dues; under age 14 is $20)
" Benefits of local membership:
o Ability to be assigned travel games.
o The unit provides ongoing guidance and instruction beyond the entry course. This is key to success in officiating, in order to learn local rules of competition, network with other referees, and learn how to be part of a referee crew.
o Referees have a tough job, and the unit is here to provide ongoing support.
o Be part of a community organization dedicated to the growth and quality of local soccer.
o In future, consideration for refereeing at state and regional tournaments (e.g. State Cup, ODP, Presidents Cup, Regionals.)
" Mentor Program: For many years, the BWNYSRU has had a very successful mentor program for new officials (trainees), recognized at the state level. All new referees regardless of age or previous officiating back ground are enrolled in the mentor program, for on field/real game practice of skills with help from an experienced official. Advancement to higher level games is based on feedback from your mentors and demonstrated officiating skill.
" In addition to the entry level class and in order to get games, new officials are required to:
o Buy a uniform (~$80)
o Attend an on-field assistant referee (AR) Clinic (3 hours, no additional cost.)
o Attend a classroom style- Unit Clinic (3 hours, no additional cost.)
o Attend the Parent/New Referee Meeting (new officials over age 18 and the parent/guardians of any official age 17 and under must attend.)
Step 4: In order to be assigned to officiate games, each referee will need to do the following:
1. Apply for a Risk Management Pass: This is a background check required by New York West Youth Soccer Association. This must be completed in order to work youth games, costs $15 and must be renewed every two years. Steps for registration can be found at wnyreferee.org under the Risk Management tab. Approval can take about two months for New York West to process the information, so complete this as soon as possible.
2. Have a Personal Email Account and Mobile Number: During the season, email is the primary mode of communication from the unit, game assignors, and Mentors to you the trainee. Email and text messaging must be checked daily (sometimes hourly). This is how you will receive Assignments, important unit announcements, last minute changes to games, and to confirm pregame logistics with officiating crew/mentor. Due to the use of Google Docs in the Mentor Program, it is suggested that a Gmail account is used. Each referee needs their own unique email address. We've found that Roadrunner and work email servers reject our group messages and referees need access to email at all times; therefore, these are not recommended.
3. Sign into Arbiter: This website (www.arbitersports.com) is our main program for sending emails to the unit, assigning schedules, accepting games and establishing your availability. Properly blocking days when you cannot officiate is crucial in being assigned games and in turn, advancing in the Mentor Program. Please take into account any school events, vacations, birthdays, soccer games and practice, etc. It is better to block a day and open your availability at a later date, than accept a game and turn it back later. Availability can be updated at any point throughout the year. You must check the "ready to be assigned" box to indicate you're ready for games.
4. Set up Arbiter Pay: This website (www.refpay.com) is the primary source for paying referees. You must create an account, while using the same email as your Arbiter account. Payroll is typically on a monthly basis, and emails are sent as a reminder that funds are available. You can choose how payment is sent to you or your bank account during the setup process.
This is a start to a lifelong love of the game from a different perspective. Over time, many referees find that officiating can be a great part-time income, social network and community involvement. We understand this is a lot of information; our unit clinics and meetings will provide further explanation and support so please ensure that you're checking email and attending.
Further information is available on the unit website buffalo.wnyreferee.org and arbiter site (under "lists," "forms.") If you have other questions, please contact the Mentor Committee at bwnysrumentorprogram@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
BWNYSRU Mentor Committee
- To download instructions for course registration, please click here.
- To download a PDF of this letter, please click here.
2018 Entry Level Courses:
- 1/20 & 1/21 9a-5p at Village Glen Tennis Club in the Amherst Soccer Conference Room
- 1/27 & 2/3 9a-5p at Veronica Connor Middle School in the Little Theater Room
- 2/10 & 2/11 9a-5p at Sportsplex
- 2/17 & 2/18 9a-5p at Northtown Center in the Second Floor Skybox
- 2/24 & 2/25 9a-5p at Sahlen's Sports Park in the classroom overlooking field #1
Mandatory AR Clinics:
3/11 9a-12p
3/18 9a-12p
3/24 9a-12p
All will be at the Village Glen Tennis/Amherst Soccer Center
Please contact Bill Helwig with questions.
To sign up, please click here.
