Ken Aston Camp 2023

 

Ken Aston Camp

The summer camp for adults who have a soccer passion problem!

Do you have a passion for soccer as a referee?  Do you miss the days of summer camp as a kid?  Or maybe the comradery of college dorm life?  We have the answer for you!!

Join me at Ken Aston Camp at Chapman University in Orange, June 23-25th.

With a wide variety of classes, from referee badge advancement to instructor courses and assessor instruction, there is a class for everyone. When you're not in class, you'll be enjoying meals and study time with others who share your passion.  

While this camp may not have the campfire, songs, and skits, you remember as a kid, you can expect a camp shirt and class portrait to cement the fact that you spent the weekend with your fellow campers.  In addition, you can come to expect a banquet night, which regularly hosts a special speaker, that brings the entire camp together. 

Of course, you're welcome to host the impromptu sing-a-long - though open fire is unfortunately frowned upon, so leave those s'more sticks at home.

Find your course and register at kenastoncamps.org

Ken Aston camp is open to campers 18 years and older.  Ask you region about possible sponsorships for registration fees. 

National Games 2023

2023 National Games

The 2023 National Games will be held July 24-30, 2023, at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, CA!

With Core teams ranging from 10U to 19U and EXTRA games from 10U to 16U, there will be something for everyone at all skills levels.  

Not only is the National Games accepting volunteer interest for referees, but volunteers are needed for a range of positions, allowing you to make this a family affair!  Complete the Volunteer Sign-Up form found at https://www.aysonationalgames.org/calling-all-volunteers/ and be ready for a week of soccer fun and community!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Great Park in July!

https://www.aysonationalgames.org/

The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, July 24 - Team Check in and Opening Ceremonies with Referees included

Tuesday, July 25 - Soccerfest

Wednesday, July 26 - Tournament Pool Play Games

Thursday, July 27 - Tournament Pool Play Games

Friday, July 28 - Tournament Pool Play Games

Saturday, July 29 - Tournament Pool Play Games

Sunday, July 30 - Semi-Finals, Consolation Games and Championship Games

*Games run daily from 8:00 - 8:00 pm on 27 fields.  Referee assignment for pool play is self-register.

Already signed up to volunteer?  Want to head down to the games with a carpool buddy?  We're here to help! Click here to sign up.

 

NEW - Referee Mentor Certificate

 

 NEW! Certified Referee Mentor Training

Did you know that AYSO introduced a new Certified Referee Mentor Training during spring of 2023?!

During the 90 minute course, you will learn skills that allow you to mentor new, youth, and advancing referees with ease.  Whether you sign up as a designated mentor in your region, develop authentic mentorship relationships organically, or mentor as part of your regular duties as a referee team, this course has something for everyone!

Youth referees are encouraged to attend the course to learn mentorship techniques that will help them on and off the pitch as peer mentors.

Find the next course online at AYSOU via your region's Blue Sombrero website.  Please contact your Regional Referee Administrator if you need assistance logging in, signing up for a class, or want to learn more about your region's mentorship opportunities!

About Your ARA

 

Hello everyone, I'm Jenelle Hamilton and I am very excited to be the Area Referee Administrator (ARA) for Area 10/S for 2023 and beyond.

While I only played soccer two years in grade school (Region 677), I had the pleasure of watching my daughter play soccer for 12 years after joining AYSO at the age of 5.  I escaped the realm of AYSO volunteerism until she joined a tournament team, at which point I finally raised my hand and became a regional referee.

I almost got through the entire tournament season without centering a game - but then the time came.  Top Gun - a tournament just outside of San Diego during Memorial Day weekend.  I had to center 4 12UB matches and everything took a turn after that.  I'll be the first to admit that the first game was rough - no, it was more than rough.  I was just happy to be still alive.  I'm not even sure how we got through that game, but we did.  

Now, 6ish years later, I'm an AYSO national referee candidate, and have plenty of experience refereeing, including recreational games ages 6-adult, matches for club teams, high school, and indoor soccer.  I am an AYSO instructor for regional and intermediate referees and look forward to expanding that to advanced courses this summer.  I am also a referee assessor with the task of assessing advanced referee candidates on their 14U matches.

Having prior service as the Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA) for Region 46, I look forward to using my experience as a referee and board member to support our Area 10/S regions with their referee programs.  I am looking forward to administering a very promising upper (16U & 19U) division full of qualified referees - with a good handful of brand new national Referee candidates throughout our Area.

My goals for 2023/24 are to increase the number of referees (15% target) seeking advancement to intermediate and advanced - specifically those who have held regional and intermediate badges for way too long.  In addition, I would like to see a 100% participation rate of all intermediate, advanced, and national referees in the new Certified Referee Mentor program.  In addition, each region should have a designated and dedicated Regional Referee Administrator (RRA) and at least two referee instructors capable of hosting regional referee courses.  

Goals for 2024/25 will expand on the 2023 mission with an increase on referee advancement, in addition to an expected increase in referee instructors and assessors per region.

To support these goals, I have begun my ARA blog - which will focus on training opportunities, tips for studying and passing the referee exams, and highlights of our referee volunteers.

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Other fun information about me:

I hold and Associates degree and Bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice from College of the Canyons and Brandman University, respectively.  In addition, I did graduate studies for Public Administration at California State University, Northridge.  

This summer, I am celebrating 20 years of employment with the City of Los Angeles. 

I am a retired international sport competitor.  Can you guess the sport that I participated in for 10 years??  (Hint - you may be able to Google it)

I am a proud mom of a now 18 year old daughter, who will be venturing off to university in the fall of  2023 to study chemical engineering.

I LOVE to travel, especially internationally.  If you see me around the pitch, tell me your travel stories!