Referees from Eastern New York selected to officiate top youth games

(Via Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association) – 2014 is proving to be a very good year for the referee program serving the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association.

In 2013, Eastern New York had 3,250 registered refs and that number has increased 31 percent to 4,250 today. Reasons for this large increase include the innovative leadership of the Eastern New York Referee Program, the support of both the youth and adult associations plus the large number of referee certification classes being held.

But it’s not just the quantity of referees that is getting noticed but the quality of our officials as well. 50 Elite Referees, both men and women from all eight referee districts in Eastern New York, are officiating the most challenging games every weekend in Eastern New York, including the recently-completed finals in State Under-23, State Open Cup, Arch Capital Group Cup, Eastern New York Premier League and the Eastern New York Champions Cup. Some are officiating professional games now while others are being groomed to ref these games in the future. These Elite Referees travel from all over the Empire State to attend clinics that the program hosts in the New York City metropolitan area on the first Tuesday of every month.

These efforts are paying off as referees from Eastern New York were selected to officiate 13 semifinal games and seven championship games of the Regionals played in Rhode Island from June 27 to July 1. Additionally, Eastern New York had more referees at the US Youth Soccer Association Nationals in Maryland from July 22 to 27 than any other state association. Five refs––Brooklyn’s Rosario Candela, Staten Island’s Brian DiPaolo, Justen Lopez of Ballston Spa, East Elmhurst’s Kenneth Rojas and Victor Vasquez of Astoria––represented Eastern New York with pride at Nationals.

“Our referees are having an exceptional year,” commented State Youth Referee Administrator Ray Wolfe.

And they are very busy as well as Eastern New York held its annual Instructor/Assessor meeting on August 3 in Poughkeepsie. More than 50 seasoned veterans attended who teach and evaluate the 4,250 refs officiating games played in Eastern New York, from the most elementary intramural matches played in front of enthusiastic parents to pro games in front of thousands.

Guest speaker John Paine, a US Soccer National Assessor, presented guidelines in referee positioning and performance that are his key interests in assessing games at the highest levels, including Major League Soccer contests.

“None of us are as smart as all of us,” said State Referee Administrator Enrico Romano, “It is through open discussion and careful consideration that the best options will be found for the whole state. I thank all those who attended, virtually 100% of those invited, and look forward to our next gathering.”