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YMS HOSTS REFEREE TRAINING SESSION FOR YOUNG AND ASPIRING REFEREES
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Yardley Makefield Soccer is looking within its own ranks to fill a need for more referees.
The club recently held a referee training session and had 40 young and aspiring referees show up eager to learn.
Gary Stephenson, director of soccer development and performance for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, oversaw the clinic with Rich Estey and Connie Webster from YMS.
“It was meant to give them a little bit more structure and guidance,” said Reza Moghadam, YMS recreation director. “The turnout was great and Gary did a really good job giving them some structure, guidance and confidence. The feedback we’ve gotten has been really positive.”
Moghadam said the size of the recreation program - which attracts up to 1,000 kids - creates a need for a sizable pool of referees every year.
“We try to utilize our kids that are within the program to ref the rec program,” Moghadam said. “Mainly for 7v7 and 9v9 but it can also include 11v11.”
Stephenson said YMS’s focus on the club referee program made working with them “a breeze.”
“This was amplified when stepping onto the field and seeing the energy of the board around the referees and then the numbers of eager players wanting to learn and work as community referees,” Stephenson said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EASTERN PA YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAMMING, REACH OUT TO GARY STEPHENSON AT GSTEPHENSON@EPYSA.ORG.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN OFFICIATING?
How to get involved?
Email etyler@epysa.org for any and all details or to discuss dates to host the program
Why should you get involved in the program?
You learn the fundamentals of officiating in a relaxed and interactive environment to prepare you for officiating in a real game.
What does the course provide?
The course provides the educational fundamentals of officiating a soccer game utilizing FIFA law as well as learning how to be professionally interact with players, parents, and coaches.
How old do you need to be to participate in the program?
ALL AGES CAN PARTICIPATE!
How can someone sign up?
All program/courses will be posted online as well as social media. If an individual wants to participate, reach out to their club to see if they are already hosting the program. If the club is, they can join the session when it takes place. If they are not, they can participate in a program at another, nearby, club if they choose.
