Post on 19-Jan-2016
transcript
AYSO National Referee Program
Recruiting & Retaining Referees
AYSO National Referee Program
Recruiting Referees
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Recruiting Referees
• Recognize that recruiting is a never ending task• Every person you come in
contact with is a potential referee
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Recruiting Referees
• Identify and train Recruiters to focus on this task.– Have sales experience– Be personable– Be persistent– Be dedicated– Be gender and age specific (women and youth
referees as recruiters)– Be a genuine believer
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Recruiting Referees
• Training Recruiters and teaching the basic recruiting methods:– Initial contact–Go slowly–Know your customers
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Recruiting Referees
• Common excuses we hear from people to avoid becoming a part of our wonderful national membership
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Recruiting Referees
• I don’t know anything about the game!
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Recruiting Referees
• I don’t have time!
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Recruiting Referees
• I don’t think I could put up with the behavior of some coaches and spectators!
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Recruiting Referees
• I’m not the right kind of person to be a referee, • I’d be embarrassed!
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Recruiting Referees
• I’m a woman and women don’t referee!
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Recruiting Referees
• I can’t afford the equipment!
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Recruiting Referees
• I’m too old!
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Recruiting Referees
• I’m too young!
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Recruiting Referees
• I don’t think I could keep up with the players.• Some of them are pretty fast!
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Recruiting Referees
• I don’t think I could handle the responsibilities of the referee!
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Recruiting Referees
• When and Where to recruit:– Prior to registrations–During registrations–During practices–During games
• It pays to advertise!
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• Player parents• Players• Boy and Girl Scouts• Church Groups• Schools
• College bound players• Job hunting players• Seniors• Others?
Recruiting RefereesWhom to recruit?
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• Designated recruiters• Publicity• Forced recruiting
• The Buddy System• The Referee Mentor
Program• Other methods?
Recruiting RefereesHow to recruit?
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Recruiting Referees
• Use the Diagonal System in Recruiting
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Retaining Referees
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Retaining Referees
• Why do referees quit refereeing?
• Why do referees continue to referee?
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Retaining Referees
• Nothing succeeds like success.
• Refereeing should be fun so…
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Retaining Referees
• First things first:
• MINIMIZE PROBLEMS FROM THE TOUCHLINE!
• Do not tolerate coaches, spectators or other referees that will not support the program.
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Retaining Referees
• For every referee you retain, that person can assist in the recruitment of new referees and help you get more referees to cover your matches!
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Retaining Referees
• Provide adequate training from the start–A good start–Don’t forget your veterans–Use of the Diagonal System
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Retaining Referees
• Establish good communication
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Retaining Referees
• Form a referee club:–Meetings–Guest speakers– Involve everyone–Don’t forget the women–Youth referee programs
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Retaining Referees
• Offer motivational incentives:–Uniforms–“Thank you’s” from players and
coaches–Awards–End of season banquet or potluck
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Retaining Referees
• Deal FIRMLY with abuse–Be proactive–Be committed–Zero tolerance–The Coach Administrator is key
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Retaining Referees
• Shaping the referee’s image–Fight to change public perception–Public recognition–Spread the word–Be proud–Spotlight individuals
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Retaining Referees
• Referee Mentor Program
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Retaining Referees
• Develop a CORE referee group–Teaching–Mentor to provide personalized
attention and make new friends–Assessing, and most important,–Encourage the next set of referees
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Conclusion
• Recruiting referees is a never ending task• Use recruiters and train them
to overcome the objections• Minimize problems from the
touchline
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Conclusion
• Keep them coming back by:–Minimize problems outside the touchline–Use award recognition when feasible–Provide socialization opportunities–Provide continuing education opportunities–Establish a mentor program to encourage
referees
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Goal For Referees
• Support the delivery of a great AYSO experience for players and others
• How will this workshop help you support this goal?
Thank you!
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