MLS Players to Participate at National Referee Camp this Weekend
Published on January 22, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Thursday, January 22, 2004) - This weekend player representatives from several MLS clubs will attend the annual National Referee Testing and Certification Seminar (commonly known as National Camp) for the first time in Torrance, California. Last year's event, held in Chandler, Arizona (outside Phoenix), saw the participation of nine MLS head coaches and one general manager, the first time in the history of the event that MLS teams were represented at the national gathering of the country's top soccer referees.
"The participation of players at this year's National Camp will further add to the positive experience of last year's event in fostering mutual professional respect between MLS clubs, players and referees," said MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis. "The open forum that includes both the athletes and match officials will help to maintain and develop a line of communication between them on the field of play."
The list of MLS players scheduled to attend includes: Eddie Pope (MetroStars), Jesse Marsch (Chicago Fire), Mike Clark (Columbus Crew), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Jason Kreis (Dallas Burn), Dema Kovalenko (D.C. United), Tony Meola (Kansas City Wizards), Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Kamler (New England Revolution) and Troy Dayak (San Jose Earthquakes). Former MLS players and current MLS head coaches Peter Nowak (D.C. United) and Dominic Kinnear (San Jose Earthquakes) will also participate in the event ahead of their first season as head coaches in MLS. Along with observing the high-level training and tests that the referees undergo, MLS players will also partake in panel discussions that will address current issues in refereeing on Friday afternoon (Jan. 23).
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 22 with headquarters at the Torrance Marriott. While all meetings and panel/video/group discussions will be held at the official National Camp hotel, fitness tests will be conducted at The Home Depot Center. A number of national soccer executives will address the referee pool including Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia ( President, United States Soccer Federation), Dan Flynn (Executive Director, United States Soccer Federation), Jay Berhalter (Deputy Executive Director, United States Soccer Federation), Rod Short (President, California Youth Soccer Association - South), Albino Bejines (President, California Soccer Association - South), Mike Burns (Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee), Larry Gardner (National Strength and Conditioning Association), Tim Holt (United Soccer Leagues) and Herb Silva (Major Indoor League Soccer).
Among other distinguished speakers at the National Camp will be Rod Pelosi, Chairman of the New Zealand Soccer Referee Committee and two referees from the Italian Soccer Federation (Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) - Massimiliano Saccani (FIFA referee) and Paolo Bertini.
The National Camp, a four-day clinic coming to a close on Sunday, Jan. 25, will see more than 109 national referees and other national referee candidates in attendance, including the entire pool of referees and assistant referees who will officiate in MLS competition during the upcoming 2004 campaign. The camp is an annual requirement for all officials seeking to earn their national badge for the current year. Referees who are members of the International Panel will also be presented with their FIFA badges. Workshop sessions begin Friday afternoon and run through Sunday. Fitness and written tests are scheduled to take place on the morning of Friday, Jan. 23.
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