FRISCO, Texas (January 5, 2024) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) and the Officiating Collective (OC) have teamed up in an effort to enhance the referee experience for its membership, placing an emphasis on retention of youth sport officials.
The two-year partnership will pair the largest youth sport organization in the country with the Australian-based company, furthering each’s commitment to officiating. US Youth Soccer referees will have access to a discount code that can be used on OfficiatingCollective.com to unlock several of the training resources that provide support, education, training, and professional development for individuals at various stages of their refereeing pathway.
Additionally, the Officiating Collective is providing US Youth Soccer with a number of complimentary memberships to assist referee development.
“USYS is excited to engage with the Officiating Collective, especially the vast and dynamic educational content compiled in their Learning Management System,” said US Youth Soccer Senior Manager of Referees Daniel Radford. “While there are many great resources available to assist officials in all sports with things like on the field decision making and rules application, the OC dives deeper into the global officiating lifestyle, culture, and ethos behind what it takes to excel in refereeing at all levels. We believe their curriculum will further equip and inspire both current and future generations of well-rounded soccer referees here in the United States.”
The Officiating Collective will also join US Youth Soccer’s online educational platform, USYS University, to produce content in other resourceful ways, such as courses, webinars and seminars.
“The synergy between The Officiating Collective and USYS signifies a dedication to shaping not just referees, but the entire sport ecosystem,” said Officiating Collective Managing Director Ash Synnott. “This partnership represents a commitment of continuous holistic development, recognizing that the strength of officiating is the backbone of sporting progress. Together, we redefine the standard, empowering officials to thrive, excel, and officiate with excellence in the dynamic world of youth sport.”
Synnott will be on hand with USYS and its membership next week in Anaheim, Calif., at the United Soccer Coaches Convention. Synnott will host a presentation on the holistic development of referees.
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer)
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 2.5 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.
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