Kansas Referee Website
Serving USSF Referees, Instructors,
& Assessors in Kansas
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The mission of the Kansas State Referee Development Program is to develop quality Referees who will apply the Laws of the Game consistently across all leagues and levels of competition in the State of Kansas, which will result in soccer being played as safe, fair and enjoyable for players. coaches and fans. We deliver on our mission by developing, delivering and administering programs in the areas of education, mentoring, assessment and assigning.
Our communication's tool is the Kansas Referee Web Site, which provides for the sharing of information, the required administration for registering for classes, requesting mentoring and assessments, and for comments on how to improve the program. Our measurements for success are the consistent improvement in the quality of Refereeing across the state, and our effective governance and spending in support of Education, Mentoring, Assessment, Assigning and Recruiting. |
Rich Kaminsky |
What is our Product? Who is our Customer?
Did you know that there are only 1,500 registered Referees officiating the matches being played by the more than 34,000 players (youth and adult) in the State of Kansas? Each of us is paid to deliver our product to our customers.
What is our product? What do YOU deliver to the game of soccer as a Referee or Assistant Referee?
FIFA describes the Referee Mission as follows, “Football is a global sport and its rules must be interpreted and applied with absolute consistency wherever the game is played.”
Our product is a service. It is making sure the Laws of the Game are consistently applied in every match delivering fair play, safety and enjoyment to our customers. That is why the first step in becoming a certified Referee is going to a class to learn and demonstrate your knowledge by passing a test on the Laws of Game. And, this is why we talk about the Laws during meetings, recertification classes, mentoring sessions and assessments. Consistently interpreting and correctly applying the laws is what our customers expect and demand from each and every one of us in each and every match.
When a team signs up to play in a league or enters a tournament there are 3 things they will remember:
1. The fields
2. The competition
3. The Referees - Would you pay money to have yourself as a Referee?
Who is our customer?
Our customers are the players. They want to play hard, show off their skills and know that someone who breaks the laws will be dealt with. If they are called for a foul, they won’t always agree. But, we know that if someone does the same thing to them, they will expect a similar and consistent decision from you, the Referee. They want fairness.
Our customers are the coaches. Coaches, like their players, want to win. What the coaches want most of all is to know that their players will be protected from excessive fouling, and that reckless and excessive force fouls will not be tolerated. They want safety.
Our customers are the fans. They want us to know the laws, to be consistent in our calls, and to protect their kids. Yes, they are emotionally engaged. They can be biased, but they expect professionalism and effort from each and every Referee each and every match.
The bottom line: In each match we do, we have 22 customers on the field and more on the bench and in the stands. When we are doing are job effectively, we will win the respect of a significant number of people (our customers). If we are being lazy or are unprepared or don’t care, we will upset a significant number of people (our customers). Referees are a team and we are only as strong as the weakest link. Know the laws. Deliver your service professionally. And thank your customers, because they are why you are getting paid.
Have a great season.