Each league that SWISRA services has their own Rules of Competition. For the convenience of all referee, the Rules of Competition can be found in the following list.
Please make sure you have reviewed the Rules of Competition before you officiate a game in that league. It is also a good idea to keep a copy of the Rules of Competition in your gear back along with a copy of the Laws of the Game.
The Annual General Meeting of the Southwest Idaho Soccer Referee Association (SWISRA) was held on April 19, 2010. At the meeting, Rich Eveland was elected as the new President and Lee Laxson was elected as 1st Vice-President. Each will serve a two year term. Returning to the board for another year are Fred Dilorenzo, 2nd Vice-President; Glenda Talbutt, Secretary; and Jeff Ladwig, Treasurer.
It can be tough getting started as a new referee. There are so many things to try and remember. Well, we have some help for you. Sal Guerrero came across a great website for newer and or young referees. Watch and Whistle provides a concise discussion of the practical side of being a new referee. Topics include such mundane issues as your uniform, where to carry your cards and what whistles work best. Other topics include greeting the coaches, player check-in and the coin toss. There is a review of referee mechanics and how to leave the field after the end of the game. Overall, good stuff. Check it out.
The first in a series of assignor podcasts is now available. The first topic is “Assigning Procedure and Expectations.” In this 15 minute podcast I’ll cover the routine I follow each week along with the deadlines that referees need to be aware of. I also discuss my expectations for referees with respect to their Arbiter Sports calendar, checking email and Arbiter and communication.
The podcasts will be available in two formats. First, there will be a version that can be imported and played directly in iTunes. The second version will be a simple mp3 format that can be played on any computer or mp3 music device.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2009 thearbiter.net became arbitersports.com. It’s the same great assigning website we have used for years. However, the interface has been greatly improved, making it easier to move around the website.
You can still login to the old site at www.thearbiter.net, but you will then be instructed to move to the new address. Now would be a good time to update your browser bookmarks to reflect the new www.arbitersports.com address.
Arbiter, which is partially owned by the NCAA, has promised additional improvements and new features to be released over the next few weeks and months.
I think it is important that all referees understand the assigning process and what my expectations are. These are set out below.
I begin the assigning process on Friday. Therefore, your calendar must be up-to-date by Thursday night. Blocking your calendar after I begin that week’s assignments does no good.
Assignments will be published sometime on Sunday, usually around noon. You will immediately receive an email letting you know you have new game assignments. These assignments will be for the upcoming Saturday and the week following. We have weeknight games so make sure your calendar reflects that.
I expect you to check your assignments on Sunday. Arbiter tells me when you check.
You cannot decline an assignment. That’s why I emphasize keeping your Arbiter calendar up-to-date. If the calendar says you are available, it is expected that you will do the game.
If there is a problem with an assignment, you need to let me know no later than Monday. That gives me a chance to find someone else to fill in for you. Referees who wait until Wednesday or Thursday will find their number of assignments diminished.
Each week, I publish a list of games that still need referees. Please email me if you can fill one of these open positions. I usually fill them on a first to respond basis. My goal is to have 100% coverage every week.
I will send an update email every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Things are always changing, so please read these emails immediately.
I also publish announcements on the Arbiter Start Page. If you login to Arbiter and see a MyReferee Start Page instead of our announcements, you need to change this immediately. Login into Arbiter; Click MyReferee Profile under Account; Next to "Set MyReferee As Start Page:" made sure the checkbox is UNCHECKED; Click Save.
Please see the announcement on Game Day Procedures. These must be followed if you want to be paid for your game.
Game reports and misconduct reports are due within 48 hours. This applies to center referees only. Assistant referees do not have reporting requirements. Failure to file a timely game report means you won’t be paid for the game.
Finally, please make sure you have setup your RefPay account AND linked the RefPay account to your Arbiter account. You can check this by logging into Arbiter, clicking "RefPay" under Payroll. If your RefPay account is listed, then you are setup. If not, please follow the video tutorial linked in the right column of the Arbiter Start Page. You won’t be paid if this isn’t setup correctly.
The game day protocols for D-3 and Rush Select are slightly different. Please make sure you follow the correct procedure for your game. All Rush Select games have a "RS" prepended to the Level. Additionally, all Rush Select teams have either and "RSB" or "RSG" prepended to the team name.
D-3
Check-in all teams prior to the game.
All players/coaches/bench personnel will have player cards. Cards should have a picture and be laminated. If someone doesn’t have a card, let them play and write a note in the Comments section of the Arbiter game report.
Each team must provide you with 2 copies of their pre-printed team roster. Give one copy to the opposing coach and keep one copy for yourself. If there are any problems with a roster, please note that in the Comments section of your Arbiter game report.
You are REQUIRED to keep copies of all rosters until 2 weeks after the end of the season. D-3 will ask for copies of some rosters each week.
A team may play with up to 4 guest players. Guest players will have player cards. In addition, all guest players must be listed on the team roster. There is a space provided on the team roster and these may be handwritten. You MUST note all guest players in the Comments section of your Arbiter game report.
Within 48 hours the center referee must file the game report in Arbiter. Login to Arbiter; Click on "Schedule"; Make sure the "Show All" checkbox under Display is checked; Click on the red "R" (for report) on the line for your game; Fill in the game score (double check for accuracy); Add any comments; Click "Save".
Misconduct MUST be reported as follows;
Yellow cards:
Note the player name, team and reason for caution in the Comments section of your Arbiter game report
Only U19 (high school) teams will have player cards. Cards should have a picture and be laminated. If someone doesn’t have a card, let them play and write a note in the Comments section of the Arbiter game report.
Each team must provide you with a copy of their pre-printed team roster. Keep your copy of the roster in a safe place. If there are any problems with a roster, please note that in the Comments section of your Arbiter game report.
You are REQUIRED to keep copies of all rosters until 2 weeks after the end of the season.
Within 48 hours the center referee must file the game report in Arbiter. Login to Arbiter; Click on "Schedule"; Make sure the "Show All" checkbox under Display is checked; Click on the red "R" (for report) on the line for your game; Fill in the game score (double check for accuracy); Add any comments; Click "Save".
Misconduct MUST be reported as follows;
Yellow cards:
Note the player name, team and reason for caution in the Comments section of your Arbiter game report
Failure to file your game report in Arbiter within 48 hours means you won’t be paid for the game.
Failure to show up for a game assignment means that you won’t be paid for the game. In addition, you will forfeit an additional amount equal to the game fee as a penalty.
July 25th was another hot day in Eagle, but that didn’t stop 27 SWISRA referees from showing up for the Sun Cup 3v3 Tournament hosted by The Boise Nationals Soccer Club. 126 games were covered in the single day event.
Tournament staff was very pleased with the work ethic and professionalism of the referees. Tournament Director, Matt Reuschle, noted that there were very few complaints of any kind. Referee assignor, Al Padley, added “I judge a tournament’s success by the number of complaints about referees that I have to field. There just weren’t any at this tournament.”
The tournament format of 3v3 and short 24 minute games lends itself to fast paced action and a lot of fun for everyone involved.
Matt Reuschle is already expecting next year’s tournament to be even larger than this year.
Grade 8 & 9 referee clinics are listed below. Please see the following site at http://www.webpak.net/~salg for additional details, including pre-registration form.
Dates
Times
Location
Grade 9 September 7 and 9
6:00 to 10:00 each night
Kuna Middle School Cafeteria 1360 Boise St. Kuna
If you have any questions, please email Sal Guerrero at salg@spro.net .
Assignors
D-3, Rush Select & FC Nova - Youth Leagues Boise Soccer League - Adult League
Al Padley assign@swisra.org
208-841-3560
There are a number of tournaments coming up in 2010. Please keep these dates open on your calendar. More information will be sent when it becomes available.
Gem State Challenge
October 23-24, 2010
Simplot Sports Complex
Boise
Meetings
The Southwest Idaho Soccer Referee Association (SWISRA) holds 6 meetings each year. Here is the current schedule.
August 30, 2010
September 20, 2010
October 18, 2010
All meetings are on Monday nights and will begin at 7:30 P.M. The meetings will be held in Meridian at:
Meridian City Hall
33 E. Broadway Ave.
Meridian
All referees are encouraged to attend. There are always important announcements.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2009 thearbiter.net became arbitersports.com. It’s the same great assigning website we have used for years. However, the interface has been greatly improved, making it easier to move around the website. 
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