AYSO National Referee Program

Recruiting & Retaining Referees

AYSO National Referee Program

Recruiting Referees

3

Recruiting Referees

• Recognize that recruiting is a never ending task• Every person you come in

contact with is a potential referee

9/30/2015

4

Recruiting Referees

• Identify and train Recruiters to focus on this task.– Have sales experience– Be personable– Be persistent– Be dedicated– Be gender and age specific (women and youth

referees as recruiters)– Be a genuine believer

9/30/2015

5

Recruiting Referees

• Training Recruiters and teaching the basic recruiting methods:– Initial contact–Go slowly–Know your customers

9/30/2015

6

Recruiting Referees

• Common excuses we hear from people to avoid becoming a part of our wonderful national membership

9/30/2015

7

Recruiting Referees

• I don’t know anything about the game!

9/30/2015

8

Recruiting Referees

• I don’t have time!

9/30/2015

9

Recruiting Referees

• I don’t think I could put up with the behavior of some coaches and spectators!

9/30/2015

10

Recruiting Referees

• I’m not the right kind of person to be a referee, • I’d be embarrassed!

9/30/2015

11

Recruiting Referees

• I’m a woman and women don’t referee!

9/30/2015

12

Recruiting Referees

• I can’t afford the equipment!

9/30/2015

13

Recruiting Referees

• I’m too old!

9/30/2015

14

Recruiting Referees

• I’m too young!

9/30/2015

15

Recruiting Referees

• I don’t think I could keep up with the players.• Some of them are pretty fast!

9/30/2015

16

Recruiting Referees

• I don’t think I could handle the responsibilities of the referee!

9/30/2015

17

Recruiting Referees

• When and Where to recruit:– Prior to registrations–During registrations–During practices–During games

• It pays to advertise!

9/30/2015

18

• Player parents• Players• Boy and Girl Scouts• Church Groups• Schools

• College bound players• Job hunting players• Seniors• Others?

Recruiting RefereesWhom to recruit?

9/30/2015

19

• Designated recruiters• Publicity• Forced recruiting

• The Buddy System• The Referee Mentor

Program• Other methods?

Recruiting RefereesHow to recruit?

9/30/2015

20

Recruiting Referees

• Use the Diagonal System in Recruiting

9/30/2015

21

Retaining Referees

9/30/2015

22

Retaining Referees

• Why do referees quit refereeing?

• Why do referees continue to referee?

9/30/2015

23

Retaining Referees

• Nothing succeeds like success.

• Refereeing should be fun so…

9/30/2015

24

Retaining Referees

• First things first:

• MINIMIZE PROBLEMS FROM THE TOUCHLINE!

• Do not tolerate coaches, spectators or other referees that will not support the program.

9/30/2015

25

Retaining Referees

• For every referee you retain, that person can assist in the recruitment of new referees and help you get more referees to cover your matches!

9/30/2015

26

Retaining Referees

• Provide adequate training from the start–A good start–Don’t forget your veterans–Use of the Diagonal System

9/30/2015

27

Retaining Referees

• Establish good communication

9/30/2015

28

Retaining Referees

• Form a referee club:–Meetings–Guest speakers– Involve everyone–Don’t forget the women–Youth referee programs

9/30/2015

29

Retaining Referees

• Offer motivational incentives:–Uniforms–“Thank you’s” from players and

coaches–Awards–End of season banquet or potluck

9/30/2015

30

Retaining Referees

• Deal FIRMLY with abuse–Be proactive–Be committed–Zero tolerance–The Coach Administrator is key

9/30/2015

31

Retaining Referees

• Shaping the referee’s image–Fight to change public perception–Public recognition–Spread the word–Be proud–Spotlight individuals

9/30/2015

32

Retaining Referees

• Referee Mentor Program

9/30/2015

33

Retaining Referees

• Develop a CORE referee group–Teaching–Mentor to provide personalized

attention and make new friends–Assessing, and most important,–Encourage the next set of referees

9/30/2015

34

Conclusion

• Recruiting referees is a never ending task• Use recruiters and train them

to overcome the objections• Minimize problems from the

touchline

9/30/2015

35

Conclusion

• Keep them coming back by:–Minimize problems outside the touchline–Use award recognition when feasible–Provide socialization opportunities–Provide continuing education opportunities–Establish a mentor program to encourage

referees

9/30/2015

36

Goal For Referees

• Support the delivery of a great AYSO experience for players and others

• How will this workshop help you support this goal?

Thank you!

9/30/2015