AYSO National Referee Program How To Run A Mentoring Program.
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Transcript of AYSO National Referee Program How To Run A Mentoring Program.
AYSO National Referee Program
How To Run A Mentoring Program
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What Is A Mentor?
• A knowledgeable, more experienced helper
• A friendly source of guidance, advice, and confidence for new referees
• A source of knowledge and experience for referees who wish to upgrade
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Why Is Mentoring Important?
• Every season, Regions recruit new referees
• The next season, many don’t return
– Lack of experience makes new referees unconfident
– Criticism from the sidelines is embarrassing
– Perceived lack of support from the Region can be frustrating
• Not many referees seek certification upgrades
• An active mentoring program can help
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The Regional Mentoring Program For New
Referees
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The Recipe
• A Regional mentoring program needs three key ingredients
– Support from the Regional board
– A mentoring program administrator
– Mentors
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Board Support
• Mentors are referees, too
• When they’re mentoring, they aren’t refereeing
• The RC and other board members must be prepared to sacrifice short-term game coverage for long-term program strength
• The board should also be prepared to support the mentoring program with funds to recognize mentors
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Mentoring Program Administrator
• Can be a member of the referee staff
– Referee Administrator
– Director of Mentoring and Assessment
– Director of Mentoring (in Regions that can provide separate directors of mentoring and assessment)
– Any other willing volunteer
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Mentors
• The administrator must identify good mentor candidates
– Outgoing, approachable, non-threatening
– Good communication skills, especially when suggesting improvements
– Significant refereeing experience and ability
• Certification as an Intermediate Referee or higher is a plus
• Certification as an assessor is a plus
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Mentor Training
• Once mentors are identified, they should be trained
• The workshop “How To Be A Mentor” can be held by the Region
• It covers interaction and communication styles as well as tools for mentoring new referees, youth referees, and more experienced referees
• Completion of this course leads to certification as a Referee Mentor
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Pairing Mentors and New Refs
• Once trained, mentors should be assigned to new referees
– Ideally no more than three mentees per mentor
• Mentors should have access to the Laws of the Game as well as all USSF and AYSO guidance and regulations
• Mentors should meet their new referees early, at the Basic Referee Course or before the first game
• Best case: before the first “real game,” the new referees can work practice games at a mentoring day event
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Mentoring Day
• If at all possible, Regions should hold a mentoring day event before the season starts
• Teams scrimmage to give new referees a chance work “practice games”
• Coaches and parents know what to expect
• New referees work in a stress-free environment
• Mentors oversee the games and give feedback
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Mentoring Day
• Not all Regions have the resources to host mentoring events
• Regions can combine resources and work together
• Area staffs can also help by sponsoring Area-wide mentoring events.
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Once The Season Starts…
• Mentors should watch the new referee’s first real game (and as many other games as possible)
• Providing encouragement and feedback can quickly increase a new referee’s confidence and competence
• The mentoring program administrator should gather feedback on how new referees – and their mentors – are performing
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Communication and Recognition
• During the season the referee staff can host meetings where mentors and new referees can share experiences
• Short continuing education classes can be held to pass knowledge from instructors, mentors, and others to new referees
• The referee staff and Regional board should recognize its mentors’ contributions (T-shirts, ball caps, gift cards, etc.)
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The Regional Mentoring Program For Experienced
Referees
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Mentoring Experienced Referees
• Experienced referees may be more knowledgeable and more confident
• They likely have developed some refereeing habits
• They may not have been mentored in some time
• All of these can present a challenge to a mentor
– Knowledge and habits may need to be corrected
– This must be done very tactfully
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Mentoring Upgrade Candidates
• Upgrade candidates, especially those already at Intermediate and Advanced, need mentors who can perform at a high level
– Already at a badge level above that of the candidate
– Strong Law and AYSO knowledge
– Clear understanding of the minimum standards required for the level the candidate will be observed / assessed for
– Significant prior mentoring experience
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Mentoring Help From The Area or Section
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Help From Friends
• Not all Regions may have the resources required to run an active mentoring program
• Regions that have mentoring programs may not be able to do everything they’d like to do
• Area and / or Section staffs may be able to help
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Area / Section Can…
• Send experienced mentors to the Region to train mentors and “kick start” the program
• Send a mentor team from other Regions to hold a mentoring day
• Find game slots at Regions that have mentors, so new referees can work with them
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Area / Section Can…
• Provide mentors for experienced referees and upgrade candidates
• Host mentor training courses
• Organize and host Area-wide mentoring days
• Email / publish “Tip of the Week” for new referees in the Area / Section
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Conclusion
• Mentoring is vitally important to the referee program
• It helps retain referees, and helps with recruiting
• It helps new referees quickly become better
• It helps experienced referees upgrade.
• Do you have a referee mentor program in your Region?
• Can you help other Regions get their programs started?
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Goal for the referees:Support the delivery of a great AYSO experience for the players and others.
How will today’s workshop help you support this goal?
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