What is the Mentor Program?  This program uses a crew of experienced referees, both youth and adult, who work with our younger referees.  The goal of the program is to improve the ref’ing skills of every Lazers Referee by continuing the training beyond certification at the local level.  The results have been improved retention of our newly certified referees and a more enjoyable experience for everyone.  Also, we’ve had candidates progress into the Advanced Referee Development Program as a direct result of the Mentoring Program. 

What is the Advanced Referee Development Program (ARDP)?  This is a State level program not to be confused with the PTC Lazers league.  ARDP candidates are referees that have shown above average referee skills and want to get even better.  The program may afford you the opportunity to participate in state sponsored referee academies and perhaps further training sponsored by GSSA and USSF.  You will be in a three-person crew working higher-level games usually in a tournament venue.  There should be several games for you and you will receive feedback specific to you throughout the day.  The only real commitment from you is a willingness to participate.  You are expected to prioritize any coordinated Academy date so as to be available.  The State Coach will have made himself/herself available for that date/week-end.  You should do the same.  Other than that, this is a program designed to make you an even better referee.  There is no cost to you to participate in the ARDP.

What is the Referee Pizza Clinic?  This is a regular meeting of all the Lazers Referees to just get together.  We meet at Partner’s Pizza in PTC at 6:30 pm for 60-90 minutes on selected dates, usually a Tues, Wed, or Thurs night.  We eat pizza and talk soccer refereeing.  The goal is to make ref’ing fun, offer a comfortable environment to ask questions, and to better standardize the Lazers referee program.