High School League Reminders 8/4/24
High School League Reminders 8/4/24
Embedded Files
SC Clinic Flier 2024-2025.pdf8/4/24
Some quick updates/reminders.
MSHSL
Register
https://app.arbitersports.com/registration/official?org=1709&role=3
Trainings START THIS WEEK!
See attached flyer (at left), I’m doing the Monday, August 12th virtual as it’s the least bad date :-( DO NOT MISS THESE! Feel free to join me on 8/12 if it works for you.
Uniform
Top:
MSHSL Top: Smitty’s
Keep/bring your yellow as a backup, especially if you end up working some JV games w/ under 18 officials, then they don’t have to buy the green top yet.
Socks
Need to be black with three white stripes, I went with the Addidas 3 hoop and found them on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1c0jbCT
Shorts
I am going to wear my summer shorts, from Official Sports. I looked for some with no logo but it’s not worth the extra cost, to me.
The3rdTeam:
Contact Marty (info below) for the direct link to join our Assigning platform.
Does anyone want to join me for multiple preseason games in Brainerd (scrimmages)? Saturday, August 17th, from like 9-2:30.
Sean "Marty" Martinson
(C) 218-259-3129
Update on Fall League Games
Update on Fall League Games
Hello everyone. I've just imported 23 youth matches for the Grand Rapids area, August 5th through September 9th. U12-U14 boys and girls. Please update your availability for that time period.
Also, MSHSL games will be coming soon in Grand Rapids and Brainerd. For High School League, Varsity level must be 18+ and certified through MSHSL. For JV competitions you must be 16 or older (more info below my signature).
Regardless, we all register at the same place for MSHSL: https://app.arbitersports.com/registration/official?org=1709&role=3
Sean "Marty" Martinson
www.the3rdteam.org
(C) 218-259-3129
MSHSL Student Official Program Details:
Open to officials under 18.
Must complete the requirements on Arbiter Central Hub (payment, concussion module, online rules modules, exam).
Receive the same benefits as fully registered officials, including a pre-season packet, insurance, and access to training and mentorship.
No background check; not eligible to officiate at the Varsity level.
Fee schedule is the same as for Registered Officials.
Information can be carried forward to regular registration upon reaching 18.
This program aims to give young officials a strong foundation for their officiating careers before advancing to the varsity level.
Student Officials in the MSHSL program can work Junior Varsity (JV) competitions, in addition to junior high and elementary level contests. They are restricted from officiating at the Varsity level.
Officiating Opportunities Outside Our Area and Important Reminders
Officiating Opportunities Outside Our Area and Important Reminders
Dear Officials,
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to inform you about some upcoming opportunities to officiate games outside of our immediate area. These games can provide valuable experience and additional pay. For specific details on these opportunities and who to contact, please refer to the contacts I'll provide at the end of this message.
I also want to let you know that I'll be bringing my essential referee gear with me as I travel to Duluth and Fargo in case I'm needed. A couple of weeks ago, I was pulled from my fan seat to AR Ryan's game in Blaine. Although I had to borrow gear, I was paid to officiate a game I was already planning to watch. This experience reminded me of the importance of being prepared.
It's always a good idea to be ready when traveling to games, whether you are watching or participating in tournaments. Bringing a go bag with your referee gear can be incredibly helpful, as there may be chances to step in and officiate a game on short notice. Gaining extra experience and earning more is always beneficial.
Additionally, with the weather getting hotter, please remember to hydrate well during and leading up to your games. Staying properly hydrated is crucial for maintaining peak performance and ensuring your well-being on the field.
I've included a sample Referee go bag list in this email to help you pack efficiently.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need further information.
Sean "Marty" Martinson
(C) 218-259-3129
Tournaments our local Club is in:
Fargo Tri-City Tournament June 21-23
REFEREES
There is a nationwide shortage of referees and we are not immune to that here. It’s possible there will be games without sideline referees. If you are a referee or know of a referee who is willing to travel to work at the tournament, please contact our Referee Assigner, Connor Dunn, at cdunn808@gmail.com for more information.
Lake Superior Open (Duluth)
June 28-30
Referees
We are still in need of referees to make our tournament a success. Please send this out to your teams, and we will work around players schedules. If you are interested in reffing, please email lsoassignor@gmail.com
Sample Go Bag List
Uniform and Gear
Referee jersey (black, yellow, red, green, blue)
Black shorts
Black socks (with white stripes)
Comfortable and durable soccer cleats or shoes
Undergarments (compression shorts, sports bra for female referees)
Accessories
Whistle (and a backup whistle)
Yellow and red cards
Wristwatch or stopwatch
Coin for the pre-game toss
Notepad and pen/pencil for recording game details
Flags (assistant referees)
Referee badge
Personal Items
Water bottle (hydration is crucial)
Energy snacks (granola bars, fruit, etc.)
Sunglasses and hat/visor for sun protection
Sunscreen
Small towel
Change of clothes (for after the game)
Deodorant
Medical Supplies
Basic first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, etc.)
Blister pads
Pain relievers (ibuprofen, aspirin)
Miscellaneous
Plastic bags (for wet/dirty clothes)
Extra shoe laces
Portable phone charger
Referee rulebook (latest edition)
Emergency contact information
Small umbrella or rain poncho
This list should help you be prepared for almost any situation that might arise during a match.
High School Officials Needed
High School Officials Needed
Are you passionate about soccer and interested in making a positive impact on the game? Join The 3rd Team by becoming a certified high school soccer official! Officiating at the high school level is a rewarding way to stay involved in the sport, develop leadership skills, and contribute to the development of young athletes.
The Third Team and the Minnesota State High School League offer comprehensive training and resources to help you succeed.
Visit MSHSL Officiating: https://www.mshsl.org/who-are-you/officiating and The 3rd Team: https://www.the3rdteam.org/ for more information and start your journey as a high school soccer official today!
Association Update 4/25/24
Association Update 4/25/24
Lost my last message so this will be shorter. In theory. :-)
Association Website:
https://www.the3rdteam.org/
Assigning Platform:
https://www.the3rdteam.org/assigning
Pay Scale for Games in Grand Rapids
https://tinyurl.com/GRASCreferee
Make note of benefits for certified officials.
Schedules
I'll be updating Grand Rapids U6-U8-U10 games over the next few days. Their season games start Monday, May 6th.
I plan to be at first set of games, at a minimum, I or another more senior official will be at the games to get this year rolling.
No AYSA or MYSA game schedules yet (three person crews).
Official Kits
Starter Kits, all items you'd need. If they send you a pea whistle, I swear I'll trade you for a Fox40 so we never have to hear a pea whistle on the soccer pitch. ;-)
https://officialsports.com/off-field-apparel/starter-kits/
If you get your kit or gear from somewhere else, just make sure it's similar to the yellow toped jersey on this site. Black socks and shorts.
Keep receipts. Officiate three games and GRASC will reimburse your kit. Thank Board members. This is huge, helps new officials actually earn money, and as the US Soccer trainer mentioned, this above and beyond what most Minnesota Clubs do to support their officials.
MN Soccer Shops
Metro Area:
Planet Soccer: http://www.planetsoccermn.com/
Soccer Chili, Hopkins: https://www.soccerchili.com/
This place is great especially if you can talk with the owner. He's from the UK but married someone from the Deer River area.
Hidden gem, especially for jerseys,
DEPORTES AZTECA: http://mimercadocentral.com/profile/deportes-azteca/
This shop is in the Mercado Central in Minneapolis. Love this shop, lots of jerseys and I think they have some ref gear too.
Sean "Marty" Martinson
(C) 218-259-3129
Association Update 4/21/24
Association Update 4/21/24
Dear Local Area Certified Soccer Officials,
I hope this message finds you well. As the Assignor for The Third Team ( www.the3rdteam.org ), I have the pleasure of reaching out to you today. Our Officials' Association is responsible for assignments at the Grand Rapids Area Soccer Club, and we extend our support to other area clubs as well as high schools when needed.
I am reaching out to all local area certified officials via email to provide important updates. Shortly, you will receive another email inviting you to join our assigning platform. During our upcoming Assigning meeting, we will delve deeper into this topic. Our chosen software tool for assignments is Assignr https://the3rdteam.assignr.com/. Kindly keep an eye out for the email invite to this platform.
Moreover, I encourage your attendance at our initial meeting, scheduled for this Thursday, April 25th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at West Rapids Elementary School. I extend this invitation not only to officials but also to parents of minor officials. During the meeting, we will walk through the soccer officiating process, covering everything from game assignment to match preparation and officiation.
Your presence and participation are highly valued as we strive to enhance our officiating community and ensure smooth operations for the upcoming season.
Best regards,
Sean "Marty" Martinson
218-259-3129
Assignor, The Third Team
www.the3rdteam.org
Assigning platform: https://the3rdteam.assignr.com/
Association Update 1/22/24
Association Update 1/22/24
Some new items:
For new officials, US Soccer has added a date IN GRAND RAPIDS for your in-person certifications. THIS IS HUGE. I had to go to Duluth for soccer and the metro for Lacrosse when I started.
https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee/courses/available/10000006/details/10009037
if you registered already and need to change to the Grand Rapids date, email: sdi@minnesotasrc.com
Officials' Association Website, please consider sharing the signup with anyone who might be interested: https://www.the3rdteam.org/join-us
Unless you tell me otherwise, I have already listed you :-)
There are no required dues, yet if you pay the $5 you get a sweet sticker as a charter member ;-)
Please let me know if you'd like to be removed from this email list.
Marty
Association Update 1/11/24
Association Update 1/11/24
A bunch of updates and information for our area soccer officials, present, past, and possible new members.
Although I know each of you, I'm writing this message as the Officials' Assignor for Grand Rapids area youth and high school soccer officials.
This will get long but when in doubt contact me with any questions!
There will be more communications, updates, and virtual/in-person meetings as we get closer to seasons.
This summer I'll be working with the Minnesota State High School League to build a referee presence and support system, one more centralized to our area. Although this will be through the High School League, our youth level will benefit as well. I have listed some of those benefits at the bottom of this message.
Currently there is no cost to you. Maybe $5 for an Association sticker or something small if you want it. This is work and costs on my end. This is not intended to be a for profit group. The goal is recruiting and supporting officials. At this time Soccer. Recruit, support, and have systems in place for the future.
Quick note before we go on, If you are under 18, please include your parent or guardian in all communications we have. I will do the same. That is the customary practice with officials under the age of 18 and the Assignors.
Seasons
At the time of writing this, our Association will provide officials for:
Grand Rapids Area Soccer Club
U6-U10 Coed In-House games
U10 Coed/Boys/Girls home games (if any)
U12-U18 Boys and Girls Travel and Tournament Teams
Turbo Tourneys
Grand Rapids High School
Boys' and Girls' High School Soccer Teams
VARIOUS
We have members from our Association that travel as a team to tournaments in the metro area. Contact Sean with interest/questions.
Assigning Games:
Regardless of age, certified officials are always assigned games first, that they are capable and able to officiate. Is it at the Assignors discretion on game level assignments and positions (ex Center, AR1, AR2, 4th Official).
It pays to be certified if you officiate games for the Grand Rapids Area Soccer Club. If you ref three or more games with that Club, the Club will cover your registration and uniform. They will also pay $5 more for every game you ref. At the end of that season that can be $100's more. NO OTHER CLUB in our region or probably the state does this for their officials. It is quite possible to cover the three game minimum in one week.
It is the Assignor's role to select officials for games. As officials we communicate our preference and comfort levels to that Assignor.
We will be using Arbiter Sports this summer and fall. This is the same platform the high school uses and is less expensive for the Club as well.
At the next GRASC Board meeting I will be making a request for the Club to cover the per official fee cost related to using this program. It is currently $11.75/official with no per game fee. This is significantly lower than their previous system.
Certifications (all levels are ready for registration)
The MSHSL has opened their certification process early (18+) It is open. When you register, you'll see our Association as an option during your registration process.
Youth level is also open (13+ by in person course). For new youth level officials. When you register with US Soccer. Pick any in person course in Minnesota. This will give you access to the online coursework so you can start any time. I will have US Soccer and the MNsrc switch you to the course in our area. I am working with the trainer to host a class in Grand Rapids.
This will be the website we'll use this season: https://www.the3rdteam.org/
Why "the third team"? It's a phrase that applies to officials. They are the third team in any competition. They never win, they never lose, yet they practice, prepare, are a team, and a part of every contest and should conduct themselves as a professional and team.
I would like to list you/your ref on the site.
Three levels:
MSHSL
US Soccer
In-House (non-certified)
If over 18 I'd list the full name. If under 18, just first name and initials like Mac and Gino are listed. If using a picture it would be similar to Mac and Gino as well and not a head shot like the adults. Let me know your preference here.
Thank you in advance for even reading this!
Sean Martinson
Dad to Four Amazing Kids
(C) 218-259-3129
MSHSL Charter Association Benefits
Opportunity to recommend officials for State Tournaments
Listed on MSHSL website in the Directory of Officials Associations, along with contact information
MSHSL will conduct meetings for Charter Clinicians for your sport(s)
Invited to attend other training programs for Association Leaders
Receive updated communication from the MSHSL regarding issues specific to the sports that you cover
Opportunity to provide input to the MSHSL regarding officiating issues
Opportunity to nominate members to serve on the Officials Advisory Committee
Opportunity to nominate officials for Distinguished Service Awards
Eligible for the MSHSL Awards Program for Associations
MSHSL provides curriculum, training materials, and training for trainers/association leaders
MSHSL will assist in the promotion and recruitment of officials as described on page 10 of the Charter/Legacy
Association Guidelines.
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