Again with the trauma

I received the schedule for the latest select season last week (and it's a full three month gig, big good times) and have just one minor issue. Not as one might expect the number of matches between this weekend and the end of March, nope. I am having an issue with another administrator in our association.

The way things work: Joe Referee needs to get registered each calendar year (to keep in good standing, be educated and pay fees to cover liability insurance). To this end, someone in each local association collects the paperwork and money from Joe Referee, deposits the monies and sends the paperwork to the state (which then continues the paper trail to Chicago (the National offices)). Said person is also responsible for updating Joe Referee's registration information on the state website and the local website (if applicable).

I once held this position within our association but politics and such made their way in to our little neck of the woods and I have turned the position over to another in 2007. Throughout 2008 I assisted this person in all the responsibilities in order to assure a smooth transition. As I have been somewhat involved in the registration process for referees through 2008, I helped out during Whatcom County's Recertification Day on December 6, 2008, trying to make sure the current Area Referee Administrator (ARA) wasn't overwhelmed by the paperwork and such. The adult soccer association in Whatcom County also held another Recertification Day for officials on December 20, 2008, which the ARA also attended (I was unable to help out at that particular event).

Yes, I am getting to the point.

After I posted the latest schedule, I began receiving phone calls and emails from referees in our association telling me they couldn't self-assign matches through our website as the site didn't think they were registered for 2009. As I don't have any of the paperwork (or subsequent trail), I suggested they contact the ARA to update the website. A couple of days ago I received an email from the State Referee Administrator (I am still included in mass emails for ARAs) insisting the ARAs update the registration files immediately as referees were unable to sign up for the State Cup matches on the State website. I am hoping it is several associations that are creating a problem at the state level, because I am already catching plenty of heck from local officials about not being able to get the matches they want because they weren't updated on the website in a timely manner.

And before you go saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself," I've been there, I've done that and I grow weary.

Be sure to check out the Referee POV gear at zazzle.com (the link is to your right) and expect a new podcast in the next couple of weeks.