Heartland Soccer Association
9161 W 133rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: 913.888.8768
Heartland Soccer Association is recognized as one
of the largest soccer leagues and tournament hosts in the country. We offer recreational to premier divisions,
ages U8 through U19.
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Heartland Soccer Association's
First Annual Fashion Show Is A Wrap!
Heartland Soccer Association's First Annual Fashion Show to benefit youth soccer and promote healthy athletes.
On October 25th, Heartland held their first annual fashion show to benefit youth soccer and promote healthy athletes. The show,
Rock the Runway, was held at the Ritz Charles in
Overland Park.
Heartland teamed up with local retailers to present fashion from casual to formal wear, as well as the athletic look to keep athletes in style during the soccer season. The 100 models r
anged from 1-70 years of age and included players, refs, coaches and board members. With the amount of models, the fashion show was broken up into two events, an afternoon and evening show.
Rock the Runway featured 13 vendors selling various merchandise, goodies from the Ritz Charles, beverages and snacks, and a red carpet for a photo op. Heartland also gave away wonderful SWAG bags for VIP guests and welcomed Kansas City's very own Mark Alford to be the emcee.
The event was a complete success and a great way to celebrate and simply have fun together. Heartland is already looking forward to the 2nd annual
Rock the Runway!
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Dear All,
We all hope you had a fun and successful fall season, we have seen some fantastic games and match ups and with the introduction of so many world class surfaces, the standard of play has been excellent.
We, at Heartland, want to thank every one of you for supporting our organization, by playing in our league and our tournaments.
Please remember to get your registrations in early for the spring 2018 season. Registration opened on November 5
th
and closes on January 8
th
. Please remember to be accurate with your multiple team conflicts, weekends off and seeding information.
Every team needs to put seeding information in their application. We will base the seedings on Fall results but it is always helpful to receive extra information. That way we can get as close as possible to having very competitive divisions.
Please know that when the schedule is being worked on, we fill the turf fields first. However, if you choose to reschedule a game there is strong likelihood that the new game will be played on grass. That is why it is vitally important that you have your conflict weekends entered in registration.
See you all in the Spring!
Thanks,
Heartland Staff
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Concussion ImPACT Testing
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Dave & Buster's, Overland Park is now open! Be our guest and get $20 in FREE Game Play! Eat. Drink. Play. Watch Sports
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Link for league info
Schedule
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Kansas City, KS
January 12-15, 2018
U.S. Youth Futsal National Championships
February 16-19, 2018
Kansas City
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The KSYSA 2018 Annual General Meeting will be Saturday, February 3rd.
Constitution Amendments must be submitted by Sunday, December 3rd.
Bylaw Amendments must have been submitted by Friday, October 6th.
KSYSA Board Positions up for Election are also on the website with the application link. Applications must be submitted by January 3, 2018.
Thank you,
Kansas State Youth Soccer Association
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Upcoming KSYSA Coaching Courses in 2017:
E License (conducted in Spanish)- Overland Park- Dec. 9-10th
E License- Overland Park- Dec. 15-17th
E License- Wichita, KS- Dec. 15-17th
Information for locations, assignments and registration can be found by clicking
HERE
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Get certified to be a referee!
As our local soccer community grows, the need for new and experienced referees continues. Join America's Largest Soccer League. More details on referee meeting schedules, training and education can be found on the
Sign Up to Become a Referee for the Spring 2018 Season.
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Spring 2018 Calendar |
| Nov 5 |
Spring League Registration Opens |
| Jan 8 |
Spring 2018 online registration deadline |
| Jan 11 |
Recreational seeding |
| Jan 12 |
Premier pre seed & Recreational Final seed posted after 5pm |
| Jan 12-17 |
Premier seeding challenges via email deadline noon on 1/17 |
| Jan 19 |
Final Premier seeding posted after 5pm |
| Feb 21 |
Spring 2018 schedule posted after 5pm |
| Feb 23-25 |
Border Battle Tournament |
| Feb 23-25 |
Dick's Sporting Good Discount Weekend for Heartland |
| Mar 2-4 |
First weekend of League play |
| Mar 9-11 |
League play |
| Mar 16-18 |
League play |
| Mar 23-25 |
League Play |
| Mar 30-31 |
League Play |
| April 1 |
Easter Sunday/No Games |
| Apr 6-8 |
League Play |
| Apr 6-8 |
Dick's Sporting Good Discount Weekend for Heartland |
| Apr 13-15 |
Kansas City Champions Cup /League Play |
| Apr 20-22 |
League Play |
| Apr 27-29 |
League Play |
| May 4-6 |
League Play |
| May 11-13 |
Midwest Mother's Day Classic / League Play |
| May 18-20 |
Rainout Weekend |
| May 25-27 |
Kansas City Invitational Tournament |
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2016/17 Heartland Numbers
Fall league teams
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1260
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Spring league teams
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1296
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League players
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42,000
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Tournament teams
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2,634
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| Tournament players |
44,000+
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Referees
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2,000+
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Coaches
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4,000
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2016/17 Tournament Numbers
(number of teams)
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Border Battle '17
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181
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| Sport Shake KC Champions Cup '17 |
407 |
| Mother's Day Classic '17 |
407 |
KC Invitational '17
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282 |
Fall Kick Off Challenge '17
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246
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Heartland Midwest Classic '17
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228
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Midwest All Girls '17
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289
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ALDI Heartland Invitational Girls '17
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311
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ALDI Heartland Invitational Boys '17
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435
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*In the last 12 months Heartland welcomed teams
from a total of 17 states and Canada.
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We Want your Photos!
Heartland Soccer Association is seeking action photo shots of kids of all ages and abilities playing soccer in Heartland League Games or Tournaments. Submitted photos may be included in Heartland Tournament, League and other promotional materials as well as social media posts.
Instructions for submitting photos:
All submitted photo files must be .jpg format, must be a minimum of 1,200 x 1,600 pixels, and no larger than 2 MB in size. Submitting a photo doesn't guarantee that it will be used.
By submitting a photo for consideration for use in Heartland Soccer Association promotional materials, you agree that:
1.
You are the sole author of the photograph and control all rights for its use. The photograph is original. You have the rights to grant usage of the photograph as stated below. There has been no prior sale, publication or transfer of rights to the photograph. The photograph shall not contain any libelous or scandalous matter. To the best of your knowledge, the photograph's creation, publication and use shall not infringe any copyright, right of privacy or right of publicity, or infringe or violate any right of any third party.
2.
You grant to Heartland Soccer Association all rights to use the photograph in any and all forms of media, including but not limited to electronic, digital media and print.
3.
You allow Heartland Soccer Association the right to edit, revise, adapt and crop the photo as necessary.
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The Referee Corner
The Referee Development Cycle at Heartland
There are multiple steps Heartland (and every other League and Association) follows in finding, assigning, training and developing the Referee staff to support their matches:
- Step 1 - USSF Certification: The first step in becoming a Heartland Referee is to get Referee Certification by the United States Soccer Federation. The Entry Level Clinic is a 2-day course. It includes online sessions, field sessions and classroom sessions. The largest block of time is spent going over videos that show what a foul looks like (all the clips are based on youth soccer matches). Sometimes we get lucky and have certified and experienced Referees move into the area (it happened again this Fall), but we also had a few experienced Referees leave the area to go to college. Heartland signed up over 350 new Referees for this Fall season.
- Step 2 - Additional Development/Peer Mentoring Program: Most of these new Referees are your soccer players, so they have some knowledge of the game from the best perspective, that of a player. After they have completed the certification process, we go to step 2 where they are assigned to matches.
They have purchased their Referee uniforms and now are ready to make decisions. It is their first day on the job and for most of them it is their first job. Can you remember how you felt your first day at a new job? They all have butterflies. They want to do a good job and be respected by the players, coaches and by you, the fans.
The first time the ball goes leaves the field of play, they are trying  to process all the factors ball? What is the correct decision? How do I signal this decision to the Referee? Then, what do I do next? The first decision is the hardest one they will ever make. How can we make sure they get it right?
This is where the Heartland Peer Mentoring program is used. Referees who have been there before are watching the new Referees. At half-time the Mentors review what has happened in the match, what decisions have been made and how, and what can these officials do better. It is exciting to watch how these new officials grow in confidence.
The Mentors provide suggestions and a written review to the Referees on what skills they need to continue to develop and how they can be even better in managing a match. We review the Mentor reports to identify areas for further education, to identify when a Referee is ready for more responsibility, and yes, to identify those who are not performing at the level needed. This Fall season we have completed over 500 Peer Mentor reviews. Your coaches have commented that they are seeing a higher quality of officiating. The bad news is that there are still some Referees who aren't getting it.
For those who want to stay working as Referees the next step is Recertification.
- Step 3 - Annual Recertification: The Laws of the Game could change every year. Remember when a kick-off had to be kicked and move forward to be legally put into play? That law changed. Every year your Referees attend a recertification class where they are tested on Law changes and time is spent going over topics that were identified as areas for improvement during the previous year.
The primary topic for 2018 Recertification is foul recognition. Every Referee will watch videos of Kansas soccer matches and we will discuss how to apply the Referee thought process. The goal is for each Referee to recognize the foul and to have a tool box of how to respond.
- Step 4 - Retention and More Mentoring: As the Referees get more experience, their decision-making process gets better. Heartland continues to provide Peer Mentors. Our expectation is that as we retain good Referees we will have a team of more experienced Referees who can analyze the first half, identify how to better respond in the second half, and deliver an even better product on their field.
The process starts over every new season. We wanted you to understand the cycle and the efforts being made to make better Referees for your matches. It isn't easy to blow the whistle when you are afraid of being challenged for every decision you make. The Heartland Peer Mentor program (I am sure you have seen Mentors at some of your matches) is an investment being made to provide better Referees. Using more experienced Referees (many are in the 3
rd
and 4
th
seasons, but have demonstrated that they know what it takes to keep a game fair and calm) helps the new Referees build skills and judgement faster. Everyone still makes mistakes, but we are working to reduce the number of times that Referees make the same mistakes.
Thank you for your cooperation. Players and Referees are keys to the future. Your actions make a big difference.
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Reimaging How the World
Manages
Youth Sports
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Final 2017 Referee Meeting
Referees of all ages and experience levels
are encouraged to attend Heartland's monthly referee meetings! Join us to learn tips and
tricks
for ARs and Referees, fun games, vital information, and fabulous prizes!
Parents are always welcome.
*October Scheels Gift Card Winners*
Drew Dunn, Braden Souter, Logan Clark, Alan Rosenak, Mark Ortiz, Chris Waldock, Max Gelman, Anay Patel, Ryan Schulz, Drake Schotland, Lucas Cuejilo, Lyla Dietz, Gabe Molacsi, Tibor Molacsi
Congrats to Lauren
Brisk
our
Top Referee in September
chosen by the Heartland Mentors
*November Scheels Gift Card Winners*
Daniel Ricker,
Nicholas Edwards,
T.J. Lipari,
Chris Waldock,
Mike Herscovici,
Greg Mischlich,
Alex Stahl,
Brooke
Thomas Edwards,
Drew Dunn
Thank you to Scheels for all you do for the Referees.
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Coaching Requirements
Heartland Soccer League is sanctioned by Kansas Youth Soccer. There is a minimum coaching requirement. All recreational and premier coaches must complete the F license course. It is online and can be found at the following link.
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Attention!
If you have a referee, coach, club, team or player accomplishment or photo that you would like to share please email Katie Falco at [email protected]
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Congratulations to all the Kansas ODP Girls Players that made Region II Thanksgiving Interregional Rosters!
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A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS
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3 Women and an Oven
4 Wheel Parts
7 Eleven
AB May
Academy Sports and Outdoors
Advocare
ALDI
All Star Video
Audi, Shawnee Mission
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Boy Scouts of America
Buca di Beppo
BV Crossfit
California Pizza Kitchen
Casey's
Chartroose Caboose
Chick fil A
Chipotle
Cinzetti's
Columbia College
Commercial Capital
Costco
Cycle Bar
Dave and Buster's
Dick's Sporting Goods
Drs. Hawks, Besler, Rogers & Stoppel
Dunkin' Donuts
FC Kansas City
Freezing Moo Ice Cream
Fry Wagner
Fuzzy's
Global Connections
Go Ape
Goodcents
Grill Park Place
Grimaldi's
Hague Quality Water
Harlan C Parker State Farm
Hasty Awards
HCA Midwest Health
Heritage Tractor Supply
Huntington Learning Center
J&K Soccer
JF Consulting
Jimmy John's
Jon Russell's BBQ
KC Comets
KC Motor Company
KC Steak Company
Krusich Dental
Kumon
Land of Paws
Legoland/Sea Life
Lenny's Subs
Levine Advertising
Market Leverage
Menorah Medical Center
Minsky's Pizza
Kansas City Comets
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Molle Toyota
Momo Bands
Moneytalks Financial Foundation
Morrill & Janes Bank
Museum at Prairiefire
NAIA
Nerium
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Oxford Animal Hospital
Pacific Dental Services
Papa John's
PB&J
Pickleman's
Pizza Hut
Pizzeria Locale
Presto-X
Price Chopper
Raising Cane's
Research Medical Center
Ritz Charles
Rock and Brews
Rosati's of Overland Park
SeatGeek
Scheels
Scott the Electrican
Security Bank
Shred-It
Simple Science
Simply Soccer
Simplified Team Management
Slim Chickens
Smoothie King
Soccer Master
Spin Pizza
Sport Shake
Sporting Kansas City
Sprouts Farmers Market
Stinkboss
Storage Mart
Stroud's
Sunflower Bank
Swope Park Rangers
The Foot Spot
The KC Steak Company
The Roasterie
The Sports Medicine Store
The Storage Place
Timber Challenge
T-riffic T-shirts
Twisted Fresh
University of Missouri Kansas City
Urban Air
Wendy's
Which Wich
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun
Zaxby's
Zip KC
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Largest Tournament of the Year is in the Books!
Over the past two weekends, Heartland Soccer Association held the ALDI Heartland Invitational at the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex, Swope Soccer Village and Wyandotte Sporting Fields.
Heartland Soccer Association is a non-profit organization that operates the largest tournaments in the Midwest and is recognized as the largest and most competitive youth soccer league in the country. This year we had 746 teams (311 girls and 435 boys teams) travel in from around the central U.S. to compete in the ALDI Heartland Invitational. The states that participated were Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota. Congratulations to all our participants and winners of the ALDI Heartland Invitational! We will see you back for this outstanding tournament next year!
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Heartland Soccer will officially announce the Fall 2017 division winners the Wednesday following the rainout games scheduled for October 27 - 29th.
If you have questions please contact [email protected]
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Congratulations to Anissa
Papa John's Heartland Referee Spotlight!
When did you start reffing?
I started referring this year in August.
What made you decide to get certified to referee?
I thought it would be fun (which it is) and I wanted to have my own money to buy stuff.
What is your favorite part about reffing?
I enjoy watching the games as I ref.
What is a life lesson you feel you have learned from reffing?
I can learn something new about soccer each time I ref a game.
What level of referee do you aspire to be?
I don't know what level I want to get to yet, but I want to get up there and do great.
Do you play soccer?
I do play soccer, my club that I play for is KCSC (Kansas City Soccer Club)
How long have you played soccer?
I have been playing soccer since I was like 4 or 5.
Do you participate in any sports/activities/clubs/ youth groups/ community service?
I participate in basketball for my school. I also ran cross country and I'm going to do track in the spring at school. This year I finished 10th at the city cross country meet. I also participate in W.E.B. which is a peer mentoring program that helps the 6th graders become comfortable at our school.
What was the last movie you saw?
The last movie I saw was Wonder Women. The whole move was awesome.
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Try a Class for Free. Blue Valley Crossfit
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Swope Park Rangers Win Back-to-Back Western Conference Titles
The Rangers are now th
e first team in USL history to reach the league championship in back-to-back seasons and become the first expansion team in the modern era of American men's outdoor professional soccer to reach a league final in each of the club's first two seasons.
The Rangers defeated the Oklahoma City Energy FC in an extremely dramatic penalty shootout and made history as they have now won back-to-back Western Conference Finals.
Saturday October 28
th
, the Swope Park Rangers defeated Sacramento Republic in a 1-0 victory to advance to the Western Conference Championship. This win continues their perfect home record in the postseason and reaching the USL Cups for the second consecutive year. Not even a minute into the second half, SPR found a rather open down field and took advantage. Musa had attempted, Belmar had followed the play as it was progressing and "...fortunately I was in the right place at the right time and the ball came to me," Belmar said, scoring the only goal of the game. This goal punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals to face the Oklahoma City Energy.
Saturday November 4
th
, Ranger fans were in for a history in the making game for the Western Conference Title game. The Western Conference Final came down to the wire, after penalty kick and penalty kick, you would think this game would never end. And to the home team's surprise it was on the 11
th
penalty kick that finally, goal keeper versus goal keeper, Adrian Zendejas (Rangers goal keeper) would come up huge twice in row. First, he stopped CJ Cochran from scoring for OKC. Then Zendejas buried the final penalty to win it all (7-6) . SPR lost 0-1 in the USL Cup Final against Louisville City FC on Monday, November 13.
Penalty Kick Summary :
SPR - Nansel Selbol (goal)
OKC - Jonathan Brown (goal)
SPR - Kharlton Belmar (goal)
OKC - Miguel Gonzalez (goal)
OKC - Daniel Gonzalez (goal)
SPR - Dakota Barnathan (goal)
OKC - Michael Daly (goal)
SPR - Colton Storm (goal)
OKC - Wojciech Wojcik (goal)
SPR - James Musa (goal)
OKC - Sam Fink (goal)
SPR - Parker Maher (goal)
SPR - Adrian Zendejas (goal)
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ATTENTION all 2007 to 2009 Boys and Girls!
Registrat
ion is now open for the 2017-18
Centers of Excellence (COE) Trainings!
L
ocations: Kansas City, Salina, Topeka and Wichita
Fee: Winter Session (6) six for $120
{All players will receive a training top to be worn at all COE trainings}
The goal of our Centers of Excellence Academy Training is to create a fun and challenging environment that helps develop and identify creative young soccer players for the Kansas Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. We want to help create a passion and love of the game in the players we work with. We emphasize developing the complete player in all 4 pillars of the game including, technical, tactical, physical and psychological components of the game.
Our Centers of Excellence Academy Trainings offer something different because our licensed coaches are innovative in their training techniques and foster playing environments for developing soccer players. Our goal is to provide a great soccer experience emphasizing learning in a creative, fun and challenging environment where players have the opportunity to develop both as soccer players and as individuals.
We want our participants to improve, have fun, make friends and look upon their time playing.
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Health Tip
Mental Health Moments
In today's instant gratification, immediate action, 24/7/365-world, we often juggle many balls ... from our own daily career duties to pick-ups/drop-offs of kids for school and sports activities, preparing dinner, arranging social activities for yourself and your children. With those demands we need to take time for ourselves to decompress and refresh.
Most of us have 10 minutes to spare each day. Instead of lounging on the couch or aimlessly browsing the Internet while eating ice cream, put those spare minutes to good use.
Call someone you miss.
Has it been weeks or months since you talked to your sister or an old friend? Take 10 minutes to call and catch up. You'll cheer up both of you for the rest of the day.
Walk around the block.
With cool fall weather here, go for a brisk walk. Walking is great exercise that also relieves stress. Set a pace that will raise your heartbeat. If you walk 10 minutes at a fast clip three times a day, you get the same benefits as exercising for 30 minutes all at once, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stretch it out.
If you have a desk job or sit a lot, get up and stretch every hour or so. Stretching takes the kinks out of your back, neck and shoulders, while increasing flexibility, easing tension and increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to your muscles.
Meditate.
Research shows meditation reduces stress, improves concentration and can increase overall happiness. Not sure how to meditate? Check out smartphone apps like "Buddhify" and "Breathe2Relax."
Send a thank-you note.
There are plenty of ways to say thanks, but a handwritten note is personal and thoughtful. Got writer's block? Begin with a greeting; express your thanks using specific details; let the person know you're thinking of her; then say thanks again.
HCA Midwest Health is Heartland Soccer's community partner with more than 150 locations in the Kansas City Metro area. www.hcamidwest.com
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The U.S. Youth FUTSAL I.D. program identifies and develops elite players in a highly competitive and challenging environment through their Futsal I.D. State Trials. Top players from each identification trial are invited to participate in the U.S. Youth Futsal National I.D. trials for three days of training and matches. The U.S. Youth Futsal National Teams are selected from the National Trials.
Kansas Futsal I.D. Trials
- Attend the USYF KS State ID Trial.
- Be evaluated by USYF National Coaching Staff.
- Be chosen for the USYF Youth National Teams.
- Travel abroad to compete internationally!
Nov. 11 & 12, 2017
2007-2000 Girls and 2003-2000 Boys
New Century Fieldhouse
Gardner, KS
MORE EVENTS COMING YOUR WAY:
US Youth Futsal Central Regional Championships
FCFA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Powered by Fountain City Futsal Academy
FCFA is excited to announce Fountain City Futsal Academy Development Program. This is a six week, training only program focusing on the technical aspects of futsal. It will be offered to players of all ages, all play levels.
Session 1:
Fridays - November 17 and December 1, 8, 15
Session 2:
Fridays - January 5, 19, 26 and February 2, 9, 23
Cost:
$150 per session ($275 for 2 sessions)
Cost includes uniform kit - t-shirt, shorts and futsal ball
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Take 20% Off Team Dinners at Minsky's!
I
t's been a great 2017 for Heartland Soccer and Minsky's Pizza. Minsky's is incredibly proud to be a major partner with HSA - and we'd like to show our appreciation with some real savings. So, as the 2017 season winds down, Minsky's has a special deal just for Heartland Soccer players and families: Enjoy 20% off your team or group dinner when you reserve an event room or book a party of ten or more at Minsky's!
There's never a space fee to reserve Minsky's private rooms and several of our locations offer multiple HD TV's with your favorite sports on the big screen, arcade rooms and of course, all have free WiFi. See photos of each of our store locations and view their amenities at
Minskys.com.
To book your group or find out more about private rooms, just speak to the store manager at the
location nearest you and they'll make sure you're all set. You'll love Minsky's casual-friendly service and, if you've not yet tried Minsky's Pizza, you're in for delicious gourmet treat!

 For Minsky's, great pizza taste starts by making our crusts from scratch, several times each day, with our own time-tested recipe (a closely kept secret for 41 years - and counting!). We make our crusts even tastier (and healthier) with sea salt and olive oil. We add Minsky's signature house-made red sauce, then we carefully layer on generous portions of lean, choice meats and fresh-cut vegetables - all topped with 100% Wisconsin Mozzarella cheese.
In the mood for something different? Try one of Minsky's many hot sandwiches, fresh pastas or crisp, garden-fresh salads. We also offer a wide variety of gluten free and dairy free menu options for those with special dietary needs.
Click here
and we'll email you right back with a 20% off coupon good for your next group dinner - plus other great dollar-saving deals in the future - all to say thanks for being a part of Heartland Soccer!
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You apply the Law and make the call - What do you think?
Every week you can hear the fans on the sidelines shouting, "Yellow Card Ref! That has to be a Yellow Card!" The Laws of the Game are very specific about what behavior would result in a Yellow or Red Card for the players on the field. How might this also apply to the sidelines?
For example, a player who is guilty of the following offenses will be shown the Yellow Card (this is not a complete list. There are 7 Mandatory Yellow Cards in the Law):
- Dissent by word or action
- Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
- Unsporting behavior
For Red Cards the Law says, "A player or substituted player who commits any of the following offenses is sent off (again not a complete list of Red Cards. There are also 7 Mandatory Red Cards in the Law):
- Serious Foul Play
- Spitting at an opponent or any other person
- Violent conduct
- Using offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures
- Receiving a second caution in a match
This is the kind of standard that the players are required to follow. What about the fans? The Laws of the Game don't apply to the fans, but I am sure many of you would agree with me that conduct not allowed by players could help us understand conduct that should not be acceptable for fans too.
Let's look at some sideline examples.
- A concerned parent told us "I've had several 'young' referees over the last few months who I would consider good, even very good, but this game was not one of them. Despite, in my opinion several obvious fouls that were never whistled, the few times the whistle was blown it sounded like a soft or fading whistle and certainly not a stoppage of play whistle. Definitely a lack of confidence or severe asthma. A young girl took a very physical foul (that didn't result in a whistle to I think everyone's surprise). Trying to be tough she stood back up holding her side and crying but not moving, just standing there. The referee held his whistle to his mouth from about 5 yards away staring at her but not blowing his whistle. Parents from both teams began shouting for the hurt girl to take a knee... when did taking a knee become a rule or requirement for a referee to blow their whistle. All three may grow to become excellent referees however they are currently not, nor would I consider them good. I certainly hope there is a method for training, retraining, mentoring and monitoring by higher quality referees.
I'm never one to only point out the bad so I'll briefly share an impressive experience I recently had watching a boy's game. In short, I couldn't have been more impressed. This age of boys is fairly physical (though not intentional) and every whistle was followed with a quick explanation of why it was blown. The players understood the calls against them and even parents, who are typically confused about calls, where much more passive knowing that whatever the call was, their child was being "taught". This is the type of referee who needs to be modeled and exploited for the good he brought to that game.
I would not consider this to be dissent. It is not offensive, insulting or abusive language. This is an opinion and feedback that we use to direct our efforts at this  Referee team to help them develop their skills and ability and confidence to give everyone a safe match because of effective officiating. We recruit Referees who have demonstrated they know how to manage a match and use them to help develop the rest of our Referees.
- The father of a 12-year-old Referee (also a Referee) shared the following: "One of my son's former soccer teammates was an AR for a game this past weekend in which he had to be escorted to his car after the game because the parents got unruly and stormed the field after the game and according to his mom, looked like they were going to punch people".
This behavior sounds a lot like dissent and possible violent conduct or offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures. If this was done by players, they would get a Yellow or Red card. Shouldn't a similar standard apply to fans?
At a recent Heartland Referee training meeting we shared the following quote:
Our Peer Mentor program has been developed to accelerate Referee performance and good judgement. Please review the article about the "Referee Development Cycle" to get some ideas of how you can help make better Referees for your players in the Heartland Soccer Association.
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Female KSYSA Player of the Month:
Aubrey from Sporting Wichita
Position: Forward
Player Experience: 7 Years
Soccer Achievements: Getting recruited to play on a boys team
Favorite Food: Ice Cream
Favorite Movie: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Favorite Book: Max
Memorable Soccer Experience: Scoring from a corner kick
Male Player of the Month:
Jacob from Crossroads Soccer Association
Position: Center Midfield
Player Experience: 14 Years
Academic Achievements: Recipient of the KSU Putnam Scholarship, President of Zeta Theta chapter of the National Homeschool Honor Society
Soccer Achievements: Starting center midfielder on back to back National Homeschool Division 5A Championship Team
Community Service: Volunteering with Harvesters Food Program, mentor for foster children, & Crossroads Soccer Association. Mission trip to Costa Rica.
Favorite Food: Smoothies
Favorite Movie: Captain America
Favorite Book: Unbroken by Lauren Hildebrand
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