Memorandum of Understanding
This Memorandum Of Understanding is entered into between the West
Michigan Soccer Referees Association (WMSRA) and the High Schools
Athletic Conferences known as the Wolverine Conference, The Kalamazoo
Valley Association and the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference (The Leagues).
The goal of all parties to this Memorandum are:
- To provide the best utilization of the limited pool of
soccer referees available to officiate matches played within
the area serviced by WMSRA.
- To provide referees properly qualified to officiate the
level of each match - without regard to the venue of the match.
- To assure that referees are properly trained, evaluated,
assessed, mentored and partake in continuing educational
programs in order to fulfill the goals of the parties to this
Memorandum.
- To maintain open, frank and constructive communications
between all parties to this Memorandum.
With the belief that officials, players and the game of soccer - in
SW Michigan - will derive benefit from the well structured and
administered Instructional and Assessment programs of WMSRA. With
the knowledge that the programs have been modified by WMSRA - in
consultation with the Leagues-to include those goals and rules,
which are specific to high school athletics, the Michigan High
School Athletic Association (MHSSA), and the National Federation
of High Schools (NFHS). The parties will each undertake certain
responsibilities in order to achieve the stated goals of this
Memorandum.
WMSRA will:
- Provide 15 hours of beginning instruction to all
individuals wishing to become soccer referees. Such
instruction will be provided by properly trained and
registered instructors.
- Provide a minimum of 5 hours per year in continuing
educational programs designed to promote and improve the
official's knowledge of the game of soccer
- Provide mentoring to all beginning referees during,
at least, their first year of officiating
- Provide periodic Assessments and Evaluations -
performed by properly trained and registered Assessors
- Provide guidance and continuing help in establishing
the maintaining a structured system allowing for
assignment of officials to matches according to both the
caliber of the match and the caliber of the referee
- Work with the HS Assignor to fairly and objectively
prevent scheduling conflicts, overlaps, and the misuse of
officials across the entire spectrum of soccer in SW Michigan
- Provide a class of membership that does not require
an official to either be a USSF official or to pay any
USSF fees or dues
- Provide for League representatives to be present at
any meeting of WMSRA
The Leagues will:
- Strongly recommend that all officials be members in
good standing of WMSRA or other official associations
- Require all HS Officials to:
- Successfully complete the 15 hour Beginning Referee Course
- Attend a minimum of 5 hr of Continuing Educational
Instruction each year-offered by WMSRA or other official
associations
- Passing a yearly written exam
- Passing a yearly physical testing program
- In so much as WMSRA has always had a policy of assigning
College games first, HS games second, then building the remaining
schedule around the HS schedule to avoid conflicts-the Leagues
must provide their final High School Assignment Schedule to the
High School Assignor by May 15 and by December 15 - in the
appropriate seasons
- Work with the High School Assignor to fairly and objectively
prevent scheduling conflicts, overlaps, and the misuse of
officials across the entire spectrum of soccer in SW Michigan
- Provide for the inclusion of a WMSRA representative at any
League meeting where soccer will be discussed
This Memorandum of Understanding becomes effective with the signatures
of the Representatives of WMSRA and the Leagues. It ceases when cancelled
by either party.
| ___________________ | _________ | ___________________ | _________ |
| WMSRA | Date | SMAC | Date |
|
| ___________________ | _________ | ___________________ | _________ |
| KVA | Date | Wolverine | Date |
