1. What Do You Want To Do As a Referee? How many watched Olympic soccer? World Cup 2014? Women’s World Cup, 2015? European Championships? Major League Soccer? How about Georgia State Cup? High School playoff game?

2. Referee Career Did you think you might someday like to be there --- on that field, as the referee? Maybe you just want to referee more challenging games.

3. Expertise Comes from hours and hours of practice Practice must be challenging Refereeing the same game 100 times will not make you good. Practice must be guided – think of the value of coaches to players and teams

4. Take Control Don’t wait for someone to do it for you Talk to your assignor Find a mentor –Someone who has done it –Higher grade (7 or above)

5. Explore Other venues Explore other clubs and leagues to get a different experience Tournaments Buddy up – get a gang together Find out the day your assignor has a light schedule. Contact a new league.

6. State Programs Referee Academies –Usually tournament events –One crew with one coach stay together all weekend. Continuous feedback. –Recreation State Cup, Presidents’ Cup, State Cup, Club tournaments. Advanced Referee Development Program (ARDP) –Invitations to state events

7. SRC Activities Represent Georgia –ODP Camp – about six days, National Instructor feedback and training – officiate for regional ODP teams - July –Georgia State Cup - June –Alabama State Cup - November –Presidents’ Cup Regional Championships –Region III National Cup Championships

8. Promote Yourself Get on the radar screen –Region III Premier League –USSF Developmental Academy –Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) –Super Y Show your stuff Make yourself available

9. Go As Far As You Want To Go USSF Talent scouts at these events Intensive training Platinum Program – road to the pros Professional assignments FIFA List World Cup?

10. What Do You Want To Do As a Referee?