Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, State Referee Committee, and the State Youth Referee Administrator continue to be committed to raising the quality of soccer participation and officiating in the state of Minnesota.

The academies are designed to give certified referees additional experience and instruction so that they may gain confidence in their refereeing ability. MYSA offers two different academies based on experience level.

Referee Academy

Certified youth referees ages 14–20 with a minimum of one year experience are invited to participate in the Referee Academy July 25–27, 2008, a two-and-a-half day program, at the National Sports Center (NSC) in Blaine, Minn.

The selected participants will be required to stay overnight at the NSC dormitories for two nights. Participants are strongely encouraged to attend at the Minnesota Thunder game on Thursday, July 24 (tickets provided by the Academy). The cost t is $50 per participant. The application deadline is Friday, July 11, 2008.

Participants in this Academy will get both theoretical instructions in a classroom setting and practical training refereeing at the MYSA State Tournament games. Academicians will also receive a Referee Academy t-shirt, classroom materials, meals, lodging and a ticket to the Minnesota Thunder game.

Advanced Referee Academy

Certified youth referees ages 17 and above with a minimum of three years experience are invited to participate in the Advanced Referee Academy May 31–June 1, 2008.

This two-day program is offered at the Coon Rapids Soccer Complex and will be conducted during the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Weekend. Selected participants will be required to attend both days and are expected to be prepared to referee the high level matches involving Olympic Development teams from Minnesota and other states. The event is FREE but requires a $50 bond per participant. (The bond will be returned at the completion of the Academy.) The application deadline closed on Friday, May 2, 2008. Selected applicants will be notified by May 12, 2008.

At this Academy referees will gain a better understanding of the game through classroom instruction as well as practical application when refereeing ODP games. Also included are classroom materials, a Referee Academy t-shirt and meals.

Questions may be directed to Kelli Donohoo at 952-252-0227 (800-366-6972) or kellidonohoo@mnyouthsoccer.org or the Urule Igbavboa, State Youth Referee Administrator, at igbav001@umn.edu.

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