The CSSJ Making Moves podcast presents its first episode this year, featuring our new host, Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, the CEO and founder of AthMindset. This episode also features two guests with many years of experience in refereeing for youth sports: Mike Woitalla and Carolyn Sideco!

In this episode, Lisa interviews Mike and Caroyln and discusses the following topics:

@ 3:08 - What brought you to youth sports refereeing to begin with?

@ 4:55 - What keeps you in the business of refereeing/officiating? (Carolyn)

@ 9:22 - What keeps you in the business of refereeing/officiating? (Mike)

@ 12:04 - “Referee abuse” and unfair treatment of referees

@ 16:22 - Using sport as a socialization tool from the perspective of an immigrant (Carolyn)

@ 21:22 - Keeping focus, understanding referees are fallible, and taking a step back when tensions get high (Mike)

@ 28:22 - Developing interpersonal connections between referees in years past and the lack of emphasis on it today

@ 30:02 - Difficulties starting refereeing in California today

@ 31:13 - The future of refereeing and integrating technology

@ 32:15 - Creating more opportunities and accessibility for kids starting sports later

@ 35:00 - Problems with and solutions for the current refereeing and soccer system (FIFA and IFAB)

@ 40:27 - Modeling de-escalating and respective behavior for parents and players

@ 44:08 - The need to improve training and mentoring in refereeing/officials

@ 46:36 - The need for change starting from coaches

Resources:

Carolyn’s Instagram-

@coachingkapwa

@coachsideco

Carolyn’s LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-sideco-caa-352b7b119?trk=people-guest_people_search-card

For Carolyn’s upcoming events, go to https://linktr.ee/coachsideco

For consultations, speaking engagements & ceremonial sports rituals, email [email protected]

Read Mike's Latest Articles

https://www.socceramerica.com/

Mike’s Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikewoitalla

Funding:

Funding for Making Moves was provided by Cal State University East Bay and the Center for Sport and Social Justice. Make sure to catch all past and future episodes of Making Moves. Streaming now on SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Big thanks to everyone who made this episode possible!

AthMindset - www.athmindset.io/

SportsEpreneur - https://sportsepreneur.com/