How To Run A Mentoring Program AYSO National

How To Run A Mentoring Program AYSO National Referee Program - #505

What is a Mentor • A knowledgeable, more experienced helper • A friendly source of guidance, advice, and confidence for new referees • A source of knowledge and experience for referees who wish to upgrade or improve

Why Mentoring is Important • Every season, Regions recruit new referees • The next season, many don’t return Lack of experience makes new referees unconfident Criticism from the sidelines is embarrassing Perceived lack of support from the Region can be frustrating • Not many referees seek certification upgrades • An active mentoring program can help

Regional Mentoring Program For New Referees 9/30/2015

The Recipe A Regional mentoring program needs three key ingredients • Support from the Regional board • A mentoring program administrator • Mentors

Board Support • Mentors are referees, too • When they’re mentoring, they aren’t refereeing • The RC and other board members must be prepared to sacrifice short-term game coverage for long-term program strength • The board should also be prepared to support the mentoring program with funds to recognize mentors

Mentoring Program Administrator Can be a member of the referee staff • Referee Administrator • Director of Mentoring and Assessment • Director of Mentoring (in Regions that can provide separate directors of mentoring and assessment) • Any other willing volunteer

Mentors • The administrator must identify good mentor candidates • Outgoing, approachable, non-threatening • Good communication skills, especially when suggesting improvements • Significant refereeing experience and ability • Certification as an Intermediate Referee or higher is a plus • Certification as an assessor is a plus

Mentor Training • Once mentors are identified, they should be trained • The workshop “How To Be A Mentor” can be held by the Region • It covers interaction and communication styles as well as tools for mentoring new referees, youth referees, and more experienced referees • Completion of this course leads to certification as a Referee Mentor

Pairing Mentors and New Refs • Once trained, mentors should be assigned to new referees • Ideally no more than three mentees per mentor • Mentors should have access to the Laws of the Game as well as all USSF and AYSO guidance and regulations • Mentors should meet their new referees early, at the Basic Referee Course or before the first game • Best case: before the first “real game, ” the new referees can work practice games at a mentoring day event

Mentoring Day • If at all possible, Regions should hold a mentoring day event before the season starts • Teams scrimmage to give new referees a chance work “practice games” • Coaches and parents know what to expect • New referees work in a stress-free environment • Mentors oversee the games and give feedback

Mentoring Day • Not all Regions have the resources to host mentoring events • Regions can combine resources and work together • Area staffs can also help by sponsoring Area-wide mentoring events.

Once the Season Starts… • Mentors should watch the new referee’s first real game (and as many other games as possible) • Providing encouragement and feedback can quickly increase a new referee’s confidence and competence • The mentoring program administrator should gather feedback on how new referees – and their mentors – are performing

Communication and Recognition • During the season the referee staff can host meetings where mentors and new referees can share experiences • Short continuing education classes can be held to pass knowledge from instructors, mentors, and others to new referees • The referee staff and Regional board should recognize its mentors’ contributions (T-shirts, ball caps, gift cards, etc. )

The Regional Mentoring Program For Experienced Referees

Mentoring Experienced Referees • Experienced referees may be more knowledgeable and more confident • They likely have developed some refereeing habits • They may not have been mentored in some time • All of these can present a challenge to a mentor • Knowledge and habits may need to be corrected • This must be done very tactfully

Mentoring Upgrade Candidates • Upgrade candidates, especially those already at Intermediate and Advanced, need mentors who can perform at a high level • Already at a badge level above that of the candidate • Strong Law and AYSO knowledge • Clear understanding of the minimum standards required for the level the candidate will be observed / assessed for • Significant prior mentoring experience

Mentoring Help From The Area or Section

Help from Friends • Not all Regions may have the resources required to run an active mentoring program • Regions that have mentoring programs may not be able to do everything they’d like to do • Area and / or Section staffs may be able to help

Area/Section Can… • Send experienced mentors to the Region to train mentors and “kick start” the program • Send a mentor team from other Regions to hold a mentoring day • Find game slots at Regions that have mentors, so new referees can work with them

Area/Section Can… • Provide mentors for experienced referees and upgrade candidates • Host mentor training courses • Organize and host Area-wide mentoring days • Email / publish “Tip of the Week” for new referees in the Area / Section

Conclusion • Mentoring is vitally important to the referee program • It helps retain referees, and helps with recruiting • It helps new referees quickly become better • It helps experienced referees upgrade. Do you have a referee mentor program in your Region? Can you help other Regions get their programs started?

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 for attending! Establishing a Mentoring Program • AYSO National Referee Program - #505