Developmental Conference

Issues at the field?
Call the Help Line 402-603-1858

Conference Manager: Sydney Coghlan, scoghlan@nebraskastatesoccer.org

Ages
7U & up

What is the Developmental Conference? More flexibility to meet the demands of finding coaches and filling rosters for our more recreational level teams.  Streamlined policies will allow for easier player movement ensuring more kids have the opportunity to get on the field and enjoy the game. 

IMPORTANT DATES - Fall 2025

Registration Deadline: August 10
Blackout Date Deadline: August 11
Roster Deadline: August 25
Schedule Release: August 23
Play Dates: September 2-November 3

team FORMS

  1. Set Active Game Day Roster
    All players must be set and on your GDR to participate. Written in players are not allowed. If a coach is not listed on GDR or have a pass at check-in they will not be allowed to be on the sidelines.

  2. Print Game Day Roster
    Each team is responsible for bringing one copy of the GDR to each match to give to the referee. Your GDR serves as your roster AND your player/coach passes. It will list all rostered and club pass players.

  3. Post Game Reports
    Both teams are responsible for submitting the game score and reporting any game issues, including the referee evaluation form.

  4. Need to Reschedule?
    Teams are responsible for contacting opponents when needing to reschedule. Use the guide for assistance.

Game day responsibilities

Have you been wanting great action photos of your players and teams? As a NYSL member you have access to our staff photograph for FREE! Book the session and only pay for the pictures you want. Booking space is limited so don’t wait! Get on our calendar today!

In the past, just after receiving their badge a new referee’s next step to find games was a bit intimidating with lots of games and leagues and events to choose from, and little direction as to what level of game they were ready for. We want to make sure our referees have a positive experience when they first get on the pitch. That’s why the Training League was created.

The Training League is a collection of “zero tolerance” games that are specifically designated for referee training. These games are limited to the best ‘beginner level’ games leagues have to make sure no one starts in over their head.

NYSL Developmental Conference is part of the Training League, 9U-14U age groups.

What is the Training League?

What we need from clubs and coaches

1. Pre-event expectations and communications to your parents.

We need you to explain to them that there is zero tolerance for any comment towards or about the referee ( no ..handball, offsides, bad call, etc ) … parents need to know that as they sit down in their chairs to watch their players learn and grow in the game of soccer, there is a youth referee doing the exact same thing. They may make bad calls, they may miss calls, and that is the point. The youth referee has to be able to work real games where they can learn too.

No comments, no advice, no arguments, no yelling to your own to “push back,” etc. Pre-game communications should be that you expect your sidelines to be positive to everyone on the pitch or simply remain quiet throughout the match.

2. In -Game

If there happens to be even a minor issue in the game (like a parent who doesn’t get the message) the youth referees have been instructed to address your coach for assistance. Your coach is then expected to immediately deal with the unruly parent. That will mean a stoppage of the match. We will have policies that deal with a coach who refuses to support a ref being harassed by an unruly spectator within the NRDP Training League.

3. Post – Game

We have created policies for these divisions that will deal very harshly with anyone who chooses to go after these youth referees, but our hopes is that #1 .. this wont happen, and #2 – if in the off chance, it does, you as a club leader will deal more harshly with your own members than our policies will. We should be able to all jump on a call and hear how you as a club have taken action.

This endeavor for NRDP and NSS, and it is one we think vital to the growth of the game here in the state. We are excited for your club to be a part of this initiative and look forward to working with you to make sure that not only can your teams show up to the field on game day knowing it is okay to try their best and make mistakes, so can the youth referee.