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3 Ways Youth Sports Leaders Can Prepare Game Officials For Success

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Tom Bobadilla has been the National Referee Program Administrator for AYSO (@AYSO_Soccer) since 2009, leading AYSO's referee program.

In this video, Bobadilla explains three key approaches AYSO takes with referees to ensure a positive environment at games. First is an AYSO program called Stewards of the Game brings coaches and referees together before games to understand each other's goals for a positive environment.

Next, referees address parents and other spectators, thanking them for supporting their children in soccer and letting them know they are proud and happy to serve as referees that day. Finally, he mentions the amount of training referees have to become their best and improve the status of referees in spectators' eyes.