There aren't that many of us that this memo applies to, still good for you to be aware just in case you end up with and SCDSL assignment.

Memo from Michelle Romero,
SCDSL Operations Manager

Hello everyone ~

Thank you for everything you all did last weekend that insured that the first weekend of the SCDSL went off with minimal issues (including rain...not expected but we certainly got through it!).  

Out of 397 games, we only had 2 referees not show up so I think the first weekend was a success and I know we will continue towards working at 100% coverage for all games.

I was on a conference call with the SCDSL Technical Committee reviewing this past weekend and there were a few things that I wanted to update you on after that conference call.

• The main thing we seemed to have confusion over was the SCDSL substitution rules and who should be monitoring the substitutions. The Referees are NOT responsible for monitoring or tracking the substitutions in any game. The coaches are expected to follow the rules in the spirit of the league. The DOC's will be receiving an email reminding them that their coaches should know the rules of the league, and that the league is not holding the referees responsible.
  
  If a coach is found guilty of cheating, the DOC and the club will be held responsible. What happened last weekend was games got slowed down in the second half because some of the referees were trying to keep track of subs and by the end of the day, games were running behind. Please make sure your referees know they do not have to track this.  

• We ask that you remind your referees that, while the SCDSL is a "developmental" league, this does not mean that the games are not to be taken seriously. Several referees told coaches at the games that they weren't interested in the games because "they didn't matter" and that a few referees seemed disconnected from the games and this upset the teams, that paid the referee for their services.
  
  With the exception of the 9's and 10's, standings are kept and even the 9's and 10's play for results, while not for standings. While the SCDSL is not focused on promotions and relegations, it doesn't mean that the games mean any less than games in other leagues and it isn't up to the referee to determine if a game is important or not, they are being paid to officiate the games and that's what we would like them to do. They are a very important part of this league and they are having to get used to new rules and procedures just like the coaches, players and parents.
  
  We ask that they set a good example on the field and do a great job during every game the officiate and accept the rules established by the DOC's of the league. Change is difficult for everyone but if we all work together, the change will be great for everyone as well