Question Number: 18499

Other 3/8/2008

RE: High School Referee as well College

Otis Wirth of Tilton, NH USA asks...

I am the president of our state high school referee association. I am trying to come up with a ranking system for our referees. Currently we have none in place. The ranking system would determine what game/level each person could be assigned to. I know part would be partner evaluations and the other, assessments by assessors.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Use ONLY certified referee assessors but realize you are going to spend a fortune doing this as EVERY referee will have to be evaluated multiple times for this to mean anything.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Part of the equation will have to include a referee's grade and experience. A USSF National should rank highly. A grade 8 with one year of experience should be doing mostly lines and centers on JV games with support from qualified, experienced referees. Contact the Texas Association of Sports Officials, Soccer Division. The guys there are actual soccer folks and they have come up with a ranking system for chapters which has merit and which will give you a great starting place. Unfortunately, this system has nothing to do with who is invited to do the state semis and finals by the UIL. That has to do with PC machinations - they still send out a form asking who are the best women, blacks, Hispanics or Asians besides the "other" top 10% to all chapters. No kidding.