US YOUTH SOCCER AND TIPEVO JOIN FORCES TO REIMAGINE YOUTH SOCCER

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FRISCO, Texas (August 15, 2019) – US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in America and the leader in youth soccer, is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with data-solutions company,TiPEVO. The partnership will promote TiPEVO-powered online information platforms that will help players and parents game plan all aspects of their youth soccer experience – including the new official US Youth Soccer Club Directory to be launched in the coming weeks.

“With TiPEVO’s help, our goal is for youth soccer to harness the power of technology as US Youth Soccer continues to lead by example, raising the bar for other sports to follow,” said Chris Moore, CEO of US Youth Soccer. “Improved access, understanding, and clarity align perfectly with our mission of making soccer the preeminent youth sport in the United States and our vision of providing the path for every player.”

TiPEVO’s advanced data technology will provide US Youth Soccer the opportunity to redefine the way information is discovered and communications occur throughout youth soccer. At the heart of the platform is a totally re-engineered US Youth Soccer Club Directory that will serve as a centralized platform to discover accurate and comprehensive information about every club and program in the country whose teams and players participate in US Youth Soccer programs, events, and competitions. Elements of the platform include transparent consumer reviews and a safe communication tool to be used between parents and clubs.

The unique ability of TiPEVO to integrate verified, independent, crowd-sourced reviews of clubs and programs brings a whole new dimension to the youth soccer landscape. The existence of enhanced transparency will help stimulate well-informed decision-making by players and parents, facilitate connections directly with club administrators, and ultimately help promote increased program quality.

“The combination of rich data complemented by shared consumer experiences has revolutionized many industries – now it’s the time for youth sports to take advantage,” said Dan Conte, Founder & CEO of TiPEVO. “Soccer is one of the most robust youth sports landscapes – partnering with US Youth Soccer is a magnificent opportunity to showcase the power of TiPEVO and its value in providing players and parents a voice and outlet through which they can make informed decisions about their sports experience. Why should it be easier to research a hotel or a restaurant than your kid’s youth soccer program?”

For more information about this partnership visit US Youth Soccer https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/TiPEVO/ and Tipeveo.com https://www.tipevo.com

NH Referees attend Advanced Training from National Referee Staff

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US Soccer Director of Referee Development: Rick Eddy

August 10-11 (Derry, NH) – As is typical for the New Hampshire US Soccer referee community, the second weekend of August serves as the annual advanced referee training (A.R.T.). Each year, the State Referee Committee (S.R.C.) plays host to a National Referee Coach from US Soccer who spends the weekend working with referees on a variety of topics including, but not limited to:

  • Changes to the US Soccer Referee Program:
    • New Referee Grade System
    • “What is a Grassroots Referee?”
    • Registration & Recertification Changes
  • Understanding changes to the Laws of the Game (LoTG)
  • Review updated LoTG interpretations
  • The Role of the Referee, Referee Mentor, Referee Coach, and the SRC.

This year, referees were lucky to have Rick Eddy, Director of Referee Development for US Soccer, be the lead instructor. Rick is a New Englander at heart, even though he currently resides in Chicago working for US Soccer. Rick spent two days working with our referees and the State Referee Program. New Hampshire is lucky to have such a great resource who understands the New England soccer enviornment and can assist referees naviagate the ever changing waters.

Saturday:
Saturday begins with the Regional Referee Fitness test for referees who currently hold (or seeking upgrade to) the “Regional” Referee distinction. This test is two parts which include the “Sprint” Test and the “Interval” Test.

The Sprint Test is a series of sprints in which the referee has 7 opportunities to complete six (6) 40 meter sprints in no more than 6.4 seconds. If a referee does not complete this test, they do not get to advance to the Interval Test.

The Interval Test is a series of intervals in which the referee must complete 40 intervals that include a 75 meter run and a 25 meter walk. The 75 meter run must be completed in 17 seconds and the 25 meter walk must be completed in 20 seconds. Referees will complete a series of 40 intervals at this pace. Referees are only allowed 1 missed interval before failing the Interval Test.

After the Regional Referee Fitness Test, those referees will join the grassroots referees for a classroom session which spans from 9AM to 4PM.

During this session, referees receive instruction on the latest changes to the LoTG as well as changes to interpretations of current Laws. This year, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has made many changes to the LoTG. Referees were able to get clearity on all of these changes and ask supporting questions to ensure full and total comprehension.

After lunch, referees were able to take part in Video Clip analysis. Referees used the FIFA Considerations to come to conclusions baised on current LoTG and interpretations. This is always good for referees to not only see how the LoTG are supposed to be interpreted but also ask questions baised on their own experiences.

Sunday:
Current and future Referee Mentors & Coaches returned to work with Rick again as well as Professional Referee Organization’s (PRO) Erich Simmons who is currently a Development Group Referee Coach for referees in the country’s highest levels of soccer. This second day of training focuses on the “Role of the Referee Mentor & Coach” as well as instructional practices that will have the greatest impact with officials.

The Referee Mentors & Coaches collaberated on preparing video analysis training by using FIFA’s “Sequence for a Presentation of a Video”. Referee mentor, Cullen Madden, said “This training really helps us, as mentors, to see the many different ways that utilization of video/technology can benefit an official as well as their peers when used properly.”

The training provided all in attendance the opportunity to not only see best practicies but demonstrate what they learned as well.

A big thank you goes out to US Soccer’s Director of Referee Development, Rick Eddy. This weekend of training will serve the referees in New Hampshire well and allow many to pass the torch of knowledge to other referees across the State of New Hampshire.

A thank you also goes to Erich Simmons for taking the time to Coach our Referee Coaches and Mentors.

Rick Eddy: Director of Referee Development (US Soccer)
Erich Simmons: Development Group Referee Coach (PRO)

UPSL Names Luis Costa as Northeast Conference Patriot Division Manager

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August 6, 2019 – Los Angeles – The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is pleased to announce the addition of Luis Costa Northeast Conference Patriot Division I & II Manager.

Costa comes to the UPSL following a career as a Player, Coach and Manager for a number of Pro Development clubs in New England.

United Premier Soccer League East Coast Director Jim Antonakas said, “I am excited to work with Luis. His experience and knowledge about the game stretches beyond borders, and Luis shares the UPSL’s vision for growth. He’s seen the league first-hand as a coach. I think that’s important, and will give the league an on-the-ground perspective in one of the country’s top soccer markets.”

Costa, 48, will focus on developing UPSL’s tier structure in New England, leading the way for further league expansion to the UPSL’s Women’s Division, Masters Division and Youth Academy.

UPSL Northeast Conference Patriot Section Manager Luis Costa said, “I am very excited to work with the UPSL on expanding the league’s East Coast footprint and developing the Patriot Division to create a platform for teams on the East Coast like there has never been before. We are looking forward to introducing the UPSL Women’s Division, the Masters Division and the Youth Academy as the UPSL grows in the Northeast.”

Costa is a native of Azores, Portugal, and was a youth player at Lusitânia Futebol Club. After immigrating to the United States in 1986, Costa was an all-state player and graduated from Boston (Mass.)’s Lowell High School. He last played for Lowell United (USASA) before a knee injury derailed his career.

Costa currently holds a UEFA ‘E’ National Coaching License, and has coached for several clubs in New England.

“There’s a huge demand for good conference managers throughout lower division soccer. It’s hard to find qualified candidates who have also seen it from the other side (playing), and can try to fix those issues and be a top manager that the teams are looking for,” Costa said. “I’ve been there. I’ve been on the other side as a player, as a coach and as a manager of clubs, so for me it’s about finding what kind of management assistance the clubs need. That’s why I’m here – to help the teams in the Northeast and the UPSL as a whole, because I know what it takes and how clubs run.”

Costa coached Greater Lowell United (NPSL) and NH Rovers (CSL) in recent years. He previously coached NH Rapids (UPSL) during the 2018 Spring Season.

“I would like to see teams grow their organizations to the point of professional status. Turning and average club into a professionally-run club – that’s my goal,” Costa said. “I want to make a difference in the league, and see the Patriot Section operate upon a higher level because of the top professionalism coming from within the clubs.”

Costa also serves as Vice President of Adult Soccer for New Hampshire Soccer Association.

United Premier Soccer League

The UPSL was formed in 2011 and currently includes more than 300 teams in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. UPSL is the fastest growing Pro Development League in the USA, with 500-plus teams targeted for 2020 Spring Season. Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated, and is responsible for maintaining either UPSL Pro Premier Division or Championship Division minimum standards.

UPSL teams are all eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the leagues affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

More information about UPSL can be found at www.upslsoccer.com or by following the league on Facebook (www.facebook.com/upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer).

Contact UPSL:
Direct: 978-996-3759
Email: lcosta1972@hotmail.com or info@upslsoccer.com

Media Relations:
Dennis Pope
dennis@upslsoccer.com
upslcommunications@gmail.com
Direct: 951-675-3963
www.upslsoccer.com
www.facebook.com/unitedpremiersoccerleague
www.twitter.com/unitedpremiersoccerleague