What is the Training League?

The Training League is your perfect first step for your referee career!

We found the process from getting certified to working games was a big hurdle for a lot of new refs:
What games should I choose? What if I mess up? Who can I get help from?

To help overcome these questions we started the Training League with beginner friendly game levels, veteran refs to help answer questions and improve your skills and the most important part:
Teams that know you are new and are held to expectations to not yell at or criticize you as you practice and get better!

FAQs

  • We are so excited to get you started!

    The first step to become a referee in Nebraska is to get certified through the Nebraska Referee Development Program (NRDP). Take the online course and then sign up for a on-field session to get your badge!

    Head to https://nrdp.soccer/referees/getstarted/ today!

  • To work games you need to get ‘assigned’ or self-assign to game positions. This process will very by league so check out the directions and links below based on the league you are interested in working for!

  • We get it! Getting started on your first games can be intimidating.

    We do our best to make sure all first game refs have a trainer with them, so you know you won’t be alone!

    You can also sign up for one of our Training League Days that will have a set block of games that are all Training League games with trainers and helpers all around for questions and to get you going and boost that confidence!

    You will be working games on your own in no time!

Our Mission

To create a safe, risk-free environment for new and inexperienced referees to develop and “learn on the job” without being subjected to abuse and ridicule from players, coaches, and, most importantly, parents.

How Does It Work?

Collaborative

The Training League is a cooperative and collaborative joint venture between NRDP (the referees) and the NSS (the teams). This means that both sides are working together to create and promote the growing environment.

Protected Environment

Because coaches, parents, and players are not allowed to engage the referee on Training League games for any reason. If that policy isn’t followed, the clubs are immediately contacted by the Training League and penalties are enforced. Training League is a zero tolerance league for any inappropriate behavior from coaches and spectators.

The Right Games

Training League games are limited to the 9U- 12U and the least competitive recreational division or leagues to be designated apart of Training League. New referees can work only games within the Training League until they are ready to graduate to higher level games. This ensures new refs are not put on games to challenging and helps build confidence one game at a time.

Post-Game Reports

Progress of new referees is tracked through post-game reports and feedback from trainers, mentors and coaches. When the referee is ready they are ‘graduated’ and can choose to work more challenging games and tournaments.

Mentors & Trainers

The right learning environment is great, but sometimes you also need a little help from a mentor or trainer too!

For U9/U10 games, a Mentor/Trainer is designated an “Observer” and usually shadows the new referee. The Observer receives the same game fee as the youth referee. For U11/U12, a Mentor/Trainer is assigned as a member of the crew.

Who we are

Training League was created by a unique partnership between the Nebraska Referee Development Program and Nebraska State Soccer.

We identified the major hurdle in growing our referee pool wasn’t recruiting, it was retaining. Too many referees get their badge and immediately have a bad experience- leading them to never return to the pitch, thus never giving them the opportunity to become the experienced referee we all want on our games.

Our Why &
Our Goals

In the past, just after receiving their badge a new referee’s next step to find games was a bit intimidating with lots of games and leagues and events to choose from, and little direction as to what level of game they were ready for. We want to make sure our referees have a positive experience when they first get on the pitch. That’s why the Training League was created.

The NRDP Training League is a collection of “zero tolerance” games that are specifically designated for referee training. These games are limited to the best ‘beginner level’ games leagues have to make sure no one starts in over their head.

We’ve taken the guesswork out of choosing your games – all new referees will be able to self-assign only to games in the Training League until they are ready to move on.

Referees in the Training League are promised:

• Zero Tolerance - Coaches, players, and parents know they are a NRDP Training League team and are specifically instructed NOT to yell at you . . . . for anything. If that isn’t followed we deal with each and every offender to ensure the Training League remains a safe environment.

• Learn As You Go - you are expected to make mistakes and learn from them. No one expects you to make every call or get every call right in this league. Just like players, mistakes will happen and you will get better the more you practice.

• Easier Games - games are limited to U9-U12 for the lowest-level recreational league. You stay within your comfort zone until you are ready to move up.

• Trainers and Mentors – you may request NRDP Trainers and Mentors to come watch your games, or they may be assigned on a crew with you, to help you make refereeing easier and more fun.

• Personal Communication – you will have access to a NRDP Training League Administrator by email, text, or phone that can answer any and all questions or help you with any problems you may have. And, last but not least . . .

• Good Money! - you get the same pay as a more experienced referee gets paid for working regular NYSL games.