EDP Spring Cup Showcase Provides Referee Mentoring Program
The EDP Cup Spring Showcase is set to include a referee mentoring program that will include current and former FIFA referees in attendance. EDP is dedicated to providing the best possible development environment for all players to further grow the organization and expand its infrastructure.
Soccer News: At this weekend’s EDP Cup Spring Showcase, it won’t only be players spotlighted. Referees will take center stage at the event as well.
Some of the nation’s brightest players will be taking the field at the EDP showcase event being held this weekend at Tuckahoe Turf Farms to display their talents to college recruiters. At the same time, the showcase will boast a unique level of refereeing expertise in a mentoring program that will see current and former FIFA referees among a prestigious group passing down their experience to EDP referees.
“At EDP, we constantly seek the highest level of instruction for referees participating in our events. As such, we have invited current and former FIFA referees as well United States Soccer Federation National Assessors and Instructors to provide our tournament referees with instruction, evaluation as well as development and guidance assessments”, said EDP Referee Administrator Scott Ashcroft.
Not only referees will see a benefit from the program. Players and coaches can expect the quality of refereeing at events to improve making for a better tournament experience.
“Without doubt, this is an educational investment into the future of these referees as well as our tournaments that will ultimately improve the standard of refereeing at EDP events,” noted Ashcroft.
This is an exciting development for EDP and highlights the organization’s commitment to providing the best possible development environment for all players within EDP programming.
Mentors will include some top names familiar to those who watch MLS, international matches and top college games– like referees Alex Pruss and Ali Saheli.
Pruss officiated over 140 MLS games including the 2007 MLS Cup and several international exhibition games while Saheli, also an MLS official since its inception, has officiated games that featured European giants such as Manchester United in a stellar career.
In addition to Pruss and Saheli, other mentors confirmed to attend are:
Rob Fereday – Officaited over 100 MLS games since 1998 and was also an offical in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Mexcio and Dominica in 2004.
Alfred Kleiniatis – Former North American Soccer League and FIFA referee who was Manager of Referee Development and Education for U.S. Soccer during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Alan Black – Born in Northern Ireland, Alan has been involved in officiating UEFA games from 2008-2011 including Champions League and Europa League games.
Don Wilbur – Wilbur has a wealth of referee experience within U.S. Soccer, serving as a referee coach inspector since 1978. Since January 2010, Wilbur has held the role of National Coordinator of Officials for men’s and women’s soccer in the NCAA. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.
Michael Salyers – Former MLS referee from 2007-2008. Treasurer of the Professional Soccer Referees Association.
Barry Towbin – Member of the New Jersey Youth Soccer Hall of Fame. Now serves as National Instructor & Referee Education Resources Advisor for U.S. Soccer.
Source: EDP Soccer
