Broward College Launches Soccer Officiating and Coaching School

7/16/08

In an effort to serve the increasing demand for high quality youth sports officials, Broward College has formed the Sports Officiating and Coaching School for certification of new officials and coaches; and in partnership with existing sports organizations. Kicking off the initial course will be a summer soccer referee camp, a first for instructors at Florida State Referees (“FSR”). The Grade 8 Soccer Referee course will run August 4-8, 2008 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Holiday Park Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL; and will be open to youth ages 12 through adults. Field instruction will be a mainstay of all future Broward College officiating courses.



This year, the Florida Legislature created Broward College as one of nine pilot state colleges, community colleges that were transformed into four-year degree schools. Broward College’s officiating courses will not be part of Sports Management degrees offered by Broward College.



“The Broward College Sports Officiating and Coaching School will offer as many soccer referee certification courses as demand dictates; and beginning this Fall, lacrosse umpire certification courses will encompass both classroom and field training instruction during the YMCA Fall Ball Lacrosse League season”, according to Advisory Board member Bob Motta. “We believe lacrosse has already established itself as the next great youth sport in Florida with over 130 high schools teams competing this past Spring for the inaugural Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships. Nationally, youth soccer has grown beyond the expectations of nearly everyone and there is a clear shortage of soccer referees in many areas of Florida, which present a challenge for maintaining both player safety and quality of games. It is our expectation that in the near future we will see the nineteen (19) community colleges and nine (9) pilot state colleges in Florida offer sports officiating courses similar to the model we are establishing at Broward College”.



To inquire about the August 4-8 soccer referee camp, email Referee@FortLauderdaleSoccer.com. Future courses will be listed in the Broward College course guides beginning in August.