New Hampshire Soccer League News

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)

US Youth Soccer Becomes the Official Player and Personal Development Partner of the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association

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FRISCO, Texas (July 27, 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 the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA). The partnership is aimed at developing programs focused on growing the game of soccer and increasing awareness of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and its players while cultivating the personal development of participating NWSL players.  Through this exclusive partnership, US Youth Soccer will be recognized as the “Official Player and Personal Development Partner of the NWSLPA.”

This first-of-its-kind relationship between a youth and professional soccer organization will create opportunities to further connect professional female soccer players with the various communities in which they were raised, live and compete. Through networking opportunities, clinics, camps, and speaking engagements, participating players from the NWSLPA will continue serving as positive role models within their communities as they encourage younger players.

“Partnering with US Youth Soccer and its 55 Member State Associations is a game changer for the NWSLPA and its players,” said Brooke Elby, President of the NWSLPA. “State Associations are uniquely positioned to provide our players with additional opportunities to develop community-based networks that will focus on the individual’s personal development on and off of the field.”

Given that a large majority of American players in the NWSL are alumnae of US Youth Soccer and grew up playing in one or more of US Youth Soccer’s competitive programs, they are uniquely familiar with the challenges and opportunities many young players face.

“US Youth Soccer could not be more excited about this partnership as we, in concert with our organization members, continue to lead the way in growing the game and providing the path for every player,” said Chris Moore, CEO of US Youth Soccer.  “To be able to not only expose our youth participants to these amazing professional players, but to also assist these powerful women in further developing skills that will aid in their eventual transition from players to community leaders, is an accomplishment of which we are truly proud.”

BY THE NUMBERS: LEAGUES PROGRAM TEAMS AT 2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINALS

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For more information on the US Youth Soccer National League and the 13 US Youth Soccer Conferences, click here.

What is TOPSoccer?

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US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family.

What is TOPSoccer?
TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs.  It provides a very affordable opportunity for fitness, fun and building self-esteem.

  • Modifications are made to the game to allow full participation and enjoyment to each child.

  • One-on-one assistance is available to those who need it.

  • It offers a recreational, leisure approach to the game of soccer for children with special needs.

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Why do we need a TOPSoccer Program?
TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement which is, in part, “to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America’s youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.” There are thousands of children with disabilities who need, and can be provided with, the opportunity to play soccer through the TOPSoccer program.

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Athletes:
A TOPSoccer player is defined as any youth player between the ages of 4 and 19 who has a disability that limits their ability to perform at the level of play in which they have chosen to participate.

Mission:
TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement, which is, to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.

Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to develop their physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self-esteem, through the joy and excitement of playing soccer.

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Facts:

Listed below are some amazing facts on the prevalence of disabilities within our society.  These facts are the latest available from the 1990 Census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

  • There are 48.9 million people with disabilities.  7 million have mental disabilities

  • 50,000 children a year become disabled through accidents.

  • 150,000 babies are born each year with a birth defect.

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Volunteers | How Can I Help?
The TOPSoccer program would not exist without the countless hours donated by dedicated volunteers across the country.  Yet, we need more volunteers to help make this a reality for these children.  If you believe in the statement “the gift of life is the gift of giving,” you are on the right track to becoming a volunteer.

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More Information:

For information on local TOPSoccer programs, resources, registration and how to set up a TOPSoccer program, please contact our TOPSoccer Coordinators Tamara Morris and Ara Tamzarian.

Rally Your Team – Lancaster 2019

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July 10-14, 2019 – Lancaster

2019 Adult Soccer Fest

Lancaster, Massachusetts