Heartland Soccer Association

Player Accomplishments & Achievements

Kansas Advanced Referee Recert Winter 2015

Some of this year's recertifying referees were in for a special treat at the Advanced Recertification class. Kansas's State Referee Committee pulled out all the stops and brought in FIFA referees, Mark Geiger and Robert Fereday, to lead the class. Geiger's most recent accolades include officiating 5 games (3 as referee, 2 as fourth official) during last year's World Cup in Brazil and taking the whistle for the MLS Final in Los Angeles. Fereday, a former FIFA AR, has officiated USMNT qualifying matches and was a staple in the early days of the MLS.

The illustrious instructors introduced fresh game footage, challenging the class to rank the clips of flying tackles in order of severity (from no foul to red card, and everything in between). As usual, the groups of referees disagreed with one another leading to a spirited debate. Class ended with an in-depth analysis of everyone's favorite affair: FIFA's annual ever-so-slight change to offside interpretation. A few more videos and several talking points later, the class seemed comfortable with the new distinction, though were skeptical on how frequently it will be at issue in the youth game.

Overall, referee development was the primary topic of discussion during class. Geiger spoke directly to the group of young Regional referees, sitting in the middle of the room. He emphasized the importance of taking on mentoring responsibilities for the younger generation of referees, and stressed the need to have mentors themselves. USSF along with local leagues are finding that young referees are often left stranded on an island of verbal abuse and never given a lifeline of support, much less hope for better things. What Mr. Geiger may or may not realize is that by coming to speak at this little event, he gave every referee in that room something to hope for and the motivation to pass it on as mentors.

Congratulations Kyle !

After recently passing the MLS Camp, Kyle Atkins received his Pro Badge. He is now a grade 3 Professional Referee. After many years of hard work, we would like to congratulate him for his success.

Congratulation Emily Stalcup!

Over the past weekend Kansas referees Emily and Lauren Stalcup attended the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Philadelphia .  Emily was the Kansas State Young Female Referee of the Year and the Region II

Young Female Referee of Year.

She became a finalist for the National Female Referee of the Year award.

During the weekend both the girls were fortunate to spend time with FIFA referee Sandra Sarafina and MLS PRO referee Chris Penso.  

Congratulations to Parker Roberts and Dorion Bailey!

Roberts and Bailey were selected for the U20 Women's National Team Camp. The camp will be held January 24^th -31^st in Sanford Florida.

 Congratulations to Dilary Heredia-Beltran and Felicia Knox!

Kansas ODP players, Dilary Heredia-Beltran and Felicia Knox, attended the ODP Girls National Training Camp in Lake Mary, Florida.  

Congratulations to all the Heartland  players and referees on their accomplishments!

If you would like to share your team/player accomplishments 

email: Bridgette@heartlandsoccer.net

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