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Recruiting Football Officials or:

Recruiting Football Officials or:. How to sell people on the idea of devoting thousands of hours to a thankless task, constant abuse in all kinds of weather, for little pay or recognition. What’s not to like?. What’s it all about??. The game can’t go on without us!.

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Recruiting Football Officials or:

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  1. Recruiting Football Officialsor: How to sell people on the idea of devoting thousands of hours to a thankless task, constant abuse in all kinds of weather, for little pay or recognition.

  2. What’s not to like?

  3. What’s it all about??

  4. The game can’t go on without us! • Recruitment of Officials is Serious Business • Without sufficient, qualified officials....

  5. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....

  6. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....and the result is • Fatigue

  7. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to.... • Fatigue • Loss of motivation

  8. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to.... • Fatigue • Loss of motivation • Increased chance of injuries

  9. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to.... • Fatigue • Loss of motivation • Increased chance of injuries • Increased levels of “retirement”

  10. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to.... • Fatigue • Loss of motivation • Increased chance of injuries • Increased levels of “retirement” • Increased chances of injuries for athletes due to officials operating at less than 100%

  11. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to.... • Fatigue • Loss of motivation • Increased chance of injuries • Increased levels of “retirement” • Increased chances of injuries for athletes • Less energy and resources to facilitate recruitment initiatives

  12. A Shortage of officials = • Officials work more games than they want to because they have to.... • Fatigue • Loss of motivation • Increased chance of injuries • Increased levels of “retirement” • Increased chances of injuries for athletes • Less energy and resources to facilitate recruitment initiatives • Potential to limit growth of sport

  13. EFOA Case Study • In 2005 the EFOA officiated approx 500 games • Average 4 officials per game • Net total = 2,000 “person games” • 33 “active officials” available • Average 61 game per official • Majority of games during 10 week period, 8/15 to 10/30

  14. EFOA Case Study • Winter 05/06 members gave feedback • Many demanded decreased workload • Projected increase of teams in 2006 pointed to 525 to 540 games played x 4 officials = 2,160 “person games” required to service workload • Average number of games per official estimated to reach 70 games plus • SITUATION CRITICAL!! Action was required.....

  15. First Steps? • Assess your current situation by demographic

  16. First Steps?

  17. First Steps? • Decide to get serious about recruitment!! • Make someone responsible!!!!

  18. First Steps? • Assess your current situation • Make someone responsible!!! • Let them know • NO SUPRISES!

  19. First Steps? • Assess your current situation • Make someone responsible!!! • Let them know • Make the choice appropriate (Death Star maniacs need not apply!)

  20. First Steps? • Assess your current situation • Make someone responsible!!! • Let them know • Make the choice appropriate • Need an energetic, smooth, knowledgeable and presentable person

  21. First Steps? • Assess your current situation • Make someone responsible!!! • Let them know • Make the choice appropriate (introverts need not apply!) • Make them accountable by setting goals, short and long term

  22. First Steps? • Assess your current situation • Make someone responsible!!! • Let them know • Make the choice appropriate (introverts need not apply!) • Make them accountable by setting goals, short and long term • Bare Minimum • Optimal

  23. First Steps? • Provide a budget! • Printing of posters • Printing of brochures • Upgrade or establishment of website • Redesign of FOA logo • Recruitment is an investment in your FOA’s future

  24. Your Brand • Your logo is part of your brand • Your “brand” speaks to who you are and what you’re all about • Your brand is critical and should be used at all times • Your brand should reflect your activity, your city, your spirit

  25. Your Brand (you may have to spend a couple of bucks on this) • Logos that leave something to be desired....

  26. EFOA Brand

  27. EFOA Brand

  28. Recruitment Tools • Posters • Brochures • TV spots/video • Radio spots • Newspaper slugs • Website built to full potential • In person presentations to HS, Junior, Univ. • Personal contacts • Mobilize your membership

  29. Recruitment Tools • TV spots/video • Shoot footage and interviews, edit down to 30 second spots and longer features • Radio spots • Supply spots or scripts to local stations

  30. Recruitment Tools • Posters

  31. Recruitment Tools • Posters • Brochures • Place posters in bars, restaurants, schools, community clubs and workplaces • Place brochures • At Schools • Fitness clubs • Arenas • Games....permission from the University and Pro team if applicable

  32. Recruitment Tools • Newspaper slugs • Design ad in MAC format or .pdf and deliver to all local papers....they may run on a psa n/c basis • Website built to full potential • Information on officiating • How to start, date of next class • Rewards, financial and otherwise • Officials profiles • LOTS OF PHOTOS! • Easy contact mechanism...FAST REPLY!! • Put prospects on your email list immediately

  33. Recruitment Tools • In person presentations to HS, Junior, Univ....you’ll need to seek these out! • Personal contacts • Mobilize your membership, ask all members to supply one good prospect name

  34. “Wojtek’s Army” • In 2006, EFOA proposed to CDMFA that officiating ATOM level football could be handled by parents • Designed to take load off EFOA with a minimum of disruption • CDMFA’s alternative, by VP Wojtek Wojcicki, was for each time to supply one trained parent/older sibling to work side

  35. Recruitment CAN work! • Since EFOA committed to a recruitment effort in the spring of 2006, our numbers have grown. Chart reflects active officials (EFOA) at season’s end......

  36. Final Thoughts.... • Retention of existing officials • Are you doing everything possible to retain the officials you have? • Tendency to forget the “bird in the hand” • Survey members on potential improvements • Opportunities for newcomers to advance? • Justice for members?

  37. Final Thoughts.... • It’s not about the money....but it’s about the money! • Pay rates, compare to other OA’s • Gas subsidies • Intermittent payment vs. Year end whopper cheque • Uniform incentives for new officials ($150) • Don’t be afraid to get tough (but fair) with leagues you serve

  38. Final Thoughts.... • Don’t be afraid to celebrate your OA! • Humans are social animals • “All work and no play.....” • Spring social/number presentation • Mid season event • Year end wind up

  39. Officiate Hard, Play Hard!

  40. Words of inspiration

  41. Words of advice

  42. Words to LIVE by!

  43. Football’s National Initiative

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