I was recently sent overseas on a temporary military assignment.  At one point some servicemen were playing soccer and once they found out I was a Grade 7 they fell all over themselves trying to get me to referee their games.  Since I didn't have my gear with me I at first turned them down.  But they persisted and they provided everything:  shoes, shirt, socks, shorts, and even the whistle.  What a feeling! Another thought, I always wanted to instruct referees, but instructors have to be  "(1) Referee grade: achieved grade of Referee, Grade 1 (R-7)." And, if you ever want to be an assessor of referees you must: 1. Be (or have been) at least as State 2 (R6) referee and have 10 years of soccer officiating experience. Upgrading has fringe benefits besides better assignments in both quantity and quality, both local and out-of-area tournaments.

Bob Snyder, State Referee

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