SCRA Presidents Message
May, 2010
Hello to all of you and I hope you are all doing well. This will be my last Presidents Message as my two year term as president is nearing an end. It has been both a fun and challenging two years with many rewards for the association. We forged ahead through difficult economic times to maintain or increase our membership and game count numbers while recording record results. We improved transparency within the organization and became formally incorporated. We leveraged and created important relationships to gain access to new tournaments and to LNFA affiliated men’s division one and two matches. We also worked hard in a supporting role; the startup of the West Coast Adult Soccer League gaining additional access to more adult matches for our membership. Without your continued efforts and support we could not have achieved our record number of USSF badge upgrades. All of you did a great job and the results reflected an improved reputation for quality and professionalism.
The next administration will be in good hands to build upon the foundation my administration and others prior have laid down. I will always be thankful and appreciative for the opportunity to serve you and making a difference in the surrounding soccer community.
Cal-South Instruction:
In an effort to promote a higher level of referee excellence, Cal-South has continued to conduct instruction at all of our membership meetings. The purpose is to achieve a consistent and uniform platform where all referees are trained and instructed to be on the same page whether you are in central California or down in the San Diego area.
USSF Badge Upgrades:
If you are interested in a USSF badge upgrade in 2010, now is the time to contact Cary Whitaker to be placed on a list. We will soon be posting on the SCRA website a procedure to help you understand the process for upgrading to grade 7, 6, & 5.
Risk Management Update:
At a recent Cal-South communication, it was announced that June 1st will be the implementation date for risk management. If you are not on their approved list and you are over the age of eighteen years of age, you will not be assigned affiliated youth matches until you are approved.
Re-Certification:
June and July will be the first round of re-certification testing for advanced referees (7-6, 6-5 and maintenance 5 & 6) throughout southern California. Please look up on the Cal-South website for a location and date you wish to attend. We will try to arrange a carpool for those referees who want to attend the same location.
Mentoring Program:
As we push to improve our referees to be their best we continue to support Cal-South’s efforts to improve referee mentoring for both youth and adults to raise the bar. I would like to announce that in a concerted effort, we are sponsoring a mentoring presentation on behalf of Cal-South. Toros Kibritjian, Cal-South’s State Youth Mentor program director, will be presenting on Saturday, May 15th, at the Norman Murray Center Sycamore Rm#A from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. The agenda will cater to youth and cover some basic referee principles as well as more advanced techniques to help improve their skill sets. Although the event is catered to youth, adults are also welcome as Toros sees benefits to all referees. Seating is limited to 160 and is open to all referee associations.
Calendar of Events:
General Membership Meeting – Tuesday May 4th - Norman Murray Center, 6:30 pm
Elections and Dinner event, instruction to follow afterward
Cal-South Mentor Presentation – Toros Kibritjian – Saturday, May 15th Norman Murray Center 9:00 – 1:00 pm Sycamore Room #A
South County Premier Tournament – June 5th & 6th - South Orange County
Saddleback Tournament – June 12th & 13th – South Orange County
Carlsbad Cup Tournament – July 17th & 19th and 24th – 26th
Thank you again for all your support in helping me to grow SCRA into a great association of soccer referees. You are the best group of people I have had the pleasure of serving and I wish you the best. As always, you do make a difference and until we meet again, be safe, healthy and happy….
Sincerely,
Marcel Caruana
President
South Coast Referee Association