NWSL 2013
Officials webinar
Welcome
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PRO General Manager – Peter Walton
Women’s Ref-coach/NWSL Assignor – Sandra Serafini
PRO website – all NWSL-related documents
Inaugural season NWSL 2013
– 8 teams, National footprint
– International Players (US, CAN, MEX)
– U.S. Soccer front office, GameOfficials for assignments
• Pool of NWSL officials:
– Referees + Travel ARs
– Regional Officials
– Local ARs/4ths
Games
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84 regular-season games
3 post-season games (no All-Star match)
Exhibition games
Cross-over with
– other PRO leagues (Alan Brown), semi-pro (LACs)
– some Zone 2 events
• Qualification for games:
1. Attend an RTS
2. Pass the National fitness test
Expectations -- Professionalism
• Professional, face-forward head shot on
GameOfficials
– USSF polo or Coat/tie
• Current contact information
• Email addresses
– incorporate name (jane.doe@xmail.com)
– visible to PRO & USSF staff, some team officials
Expectations -- Professionalism
• Keep your calendar up to date
• NWSL is priority assignment over nonprofessional matches, BUT:
• If conflict with LAC assignment or major
tournament, call/email Serafini
• If injured, ill, or family/work issues,
call/email to protect you and game integrity
• Big picture, long-term view
Expectations -- Professionalism
• TV, Video, Live Streaming
• Decisions are viewed by public
• Communication on & off field
– Verbal + written + body language
– Public view, cameras, with/without knowledge
• Social media – Public view of your posts, pictures by
teams, fans, media, league
– Do not construe bias, favoritism
– Perception = Reality
• Representing U.S. Soccer, PRO, assignor, officiating,
yourself – elevate the image of each one at every
opportunity
Assignments
• Preseason & Exhibition matches vs
unaffiliated teams on ArbiterSports
• Preseason & Exhibition matches vs
affiliated teams on GameOfficials
• College team host through college assignor
• Regular season -- released via
GameOfficials every Thursday at 7pm for
matches 3 weeks out
Assessments
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All matches -- National Assessors
Some assessors may carpool with officials
Posted in GameOfficials
Month in Review with officials via webinar
Performances  assignments
Opportunities to advance
– Local  Regional
– Regional  National
– Part of development path to MLS & FIFA
Guidelines Match Acceptance
• If driving <60 miles, accept/decline match
within 24 hours
• If driving >60 miles (rental car) or flying,
contact Travel Agent within 24 hours and
accept match after travel is approved
• Rental cars with carpool for > 60 miles drive
Travel Agent
• Sportscorp Travel
• Phone: 905-857-8599
• Fax: 905-951-0433
After-Hours: 905-857-8588
Bernard Samuel
bsamuel@sportscorp.com
Direct Line: 905-499-3028
Jackie Ashton
jashton@sportscorp.com
Direct Line: 905-499-2052
Flights
• Contact Sportscorp agent within 24 hrs
• Use travel website farewatch feature, can
suggest alternative itinerary if ≤ cost
• Frequent fliers – can specify airline if ≤ cost
or if you cover the difference with own CC
(not a reimburseable expense)
Hotels
• Booked either by home team or Sportscorp,
no upfront cost to official
• Sportscorp bookings include airport shuttle,
breakfast, and internet at no extra cost
• Team bookings include airport shuttle
– Notify Serafini if at same hotel as visiting team
• Use CC for check-in and incidentals
Ground Transportation
• Limited budget, diligence
• Assignments made with carpools in mind
• Target of $35 max per official, airport parking, tolls,
$0.565/mile
• If driving over 60 miles from venue, rental car likely
better option
• Contact Sportscorp for preferred rate with National
Rent-a-Car
• Also research websites for lower cost
• Driver must be 25 or older with CC, expense out
Per Diem
• $50 max
• Pro-rated by time increments
• (1-8 hrs. = $10.00; 9-16 hrs. = $25.00; 1724+ hrs. = $50.00)
Expense Reports
• Available on PRO website
• KEEP ALL RECEIPTS – req’d for reimbursement
• Scan & email to John Loder at PRO
– johnloderexpense@proreferees.com
• One report per match
• Note pay period deadlines 17th & 2nd
• No game fees on expense report – autopay
by GoPay
Game Fees
• Paid via GoPay on GameOfficials
• Done automatically – linked to assignments
Game Notices
• Sent by Lindsey Gamrod
• Referee must contact crew within 24 hrs of
receiving game notice
• Review all colors to avoid conflict
– Teams, goalkeepers, officials
• Review for accuracy
– Itinerary, hotel, transportation, contact info
Game Day
• Arrival = 2 hours prior to kickoff
• Do pregame before stadium arrival
whenever possible
• Attire = Dress Blues
– Blue Blazer
– Shirt/tie (men), shirt or blouse (women)
– Grey slacks, dress shoes
– Can wear polo under blazer for departure
– No warm-ups to or from the match
Uniforms
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OSI, button-up jerseys, latest style
Match jersey sleeve-length and socks
Black shoes
Avoid warm-up with “USA” on back
Black OSI or Nike t-shirt for warm-up
Avoid “Skittles”, try to match each other for
off-field attire if possible
Rules of Competition
• See Ops Manual for full details
• 3 substitutions from 7 named substitutes
• Max 16 on bench
– 9 players (7 named subs, 2 non-playing)
– 7 non-players (coaches, medical staff, etc.)
– No Owners, GMs, other executives unless on
player roster or as recognized coach
Match Reports and Self-Evals
• Hard copy at venue, use CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS
and Black Ink for Match & Competition Incident
Reports
• Referees must complete the Referee Checklist
• Electronic match report in GameOfficials within 24
hrs
• Call Serafini immediately post-match for major
incidents (RCs, ++Inj, Bnch Dis, Asslt, Spct Inc)
• All officials must complete self-evaluation
– Within one week of match
– Base on video review
Priorities
• Priority #1 is to get the play right
• Critical incidents
– Penalty area decisions (calls and no-calls)
– DOGSO
– Sending off offenses, especially SFP and VC
– Offside decisions
• Goals scored and goals disallowed
– 2nd cautions
• Linked back to 1st cautions given or not given
Have a great season!