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REFS NEED LOVE TOO

David Gerson
Youth Soccer
Refereeing
Soccer
Youth Sports
Referee Training
Referee Development
Referees
Referee Abuse Policy
Soccer Officiating
Fitness
Mentorship
Grassroots Refereeing
Game Management
Premier League
Soccer Refereeing
Travel Ref
Football Officiating
Referee Abuse
Soccer Referees
Handball Rules

An honest perspective from the 3rd team on the pitch... the referees. Through humor, analysis and education, we are slowly changing how people view referees and officials in all sports. We care and have a love for the game as much as any player or coach. Sometimes even more. Youth soccer (proper football) is a multi-billion $ industry in the US. Tremendous money is spent on players, competitions, ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes111Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsNews CommentaryNewsSoccer

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Five seconds. That’s the new line between “let’s get on with it” and a restart that flips against you. We sit down with Nathan McGill, Director of Referee Education and Development at U.S. Soccer, to unpack the IFAB Laws of the Game... more

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The World Cup can make even experienced fans feel like the rules changed overnight. Players stay on their feet more, restarts happen faster, and referees seem more willing to let contact go without losing control. That’s not an acci... more

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The World Cup is almost here, and my life is about to get loud in the best way: I’m heading to seven matches with FIFA and TikTok as a Creator Correspondent, with access that changes what I can share and where I can share it. That e... more

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College soccer is about to change in ways that will hit everyone on match day: referees, coaches, players, and the people in the stands wondering why the game has stopped again. After sharing a personal weekend at the brand-new U.S.... more

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Recent Guests

Huck Sorock
President/Owner of REFR Sports
REFR Sports
Episode: We Need Better Systems To Support Officials with Huck Sorock of REFR Sports
John Collins
NCAA Director of Officiating
NCAA
Episode: Coach Challenges And Video Review In College Soccer with John Collins, NCAA Head of Officiating
Carlos Ledesma
Assigner and mentor; director of referees and assigner for two clubs in Northern California
Roseville SC; Loomis SC
Episode: You Can Build A Referee Program That Kids Want To Join with Carlos Ledesma
Holly Jimenez
Local referee; rising star in WPSL/UPSL officiating
Independent referee
Episode: Brand New at 42 with Holly Jimenez - It's Never Too Late To Be Great!
Jan Aravirtra
Former FIFA referee and Finland's respected official, founder of the Referee Academy
Referee Academy
Episode: What Elite FIFA Officials Can Teach Grassroots Referees with Jan Aravirtra, Referee Academy
Scott Ledger
Premier League assistant referee, Pro/Elite official
English Premier League
Episode: Premier League Referee Scott Ledger on Longevity, Learning and Love of the Game
Eric Edge
An English Sunday League referee and creator of the channel Behind The Whistle.
Behind The Whistle
Episode: Inside Sunday League with Eric Edge from "Behind The Whistle"
Alex Perez
USSF regional referee based in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
USSF
Episode: Authority Without Anger: The Quiet Power Of A Calm Referee With Alex Perez
Kevin Klinger
Director of Referee Education and Development at US Officials, professional soccer referee, and mental health professional
US Officials
Episode: The Mental Game: Building Better Referees with Kevin Klinger

Hosts

David Gerson
Host of the show and grassroots referee advocate, with focus on officiating communities and education.
Luke
Interviewer and co-host, helps frame conversations with guests.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 123 ratings
  • Great for Refs and Fans

    Such great listening for any fan of soccer. Obviously this is geared towards referees, but this will give everyone a wonderful insight into what really happens on the pitch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bradley.k.white
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best podcast for soccer referees

    David’s podcast and social media content is what got me to become a licensed referee back in 2022. David’s approach to refereeing was different than other referee podcasts I listen to. He approaches it with heart, humanity, and humor. His content is engaging and always enlightening. I find myself listening to episodes over and over, taking notes, and applying the information to my referee experience. Whether you are thinking about becoming a soccer referee or have years of experience, this is th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luke Witkowski
    United Statesa year ago
  • Thank you!

    Thank you for the time and effort you put into your podcast and social media channels. Awareness is one thing and parents/coaches/players could do a little more for their cause by also learning rules or becoming refs. We all think we have it figured out, however, we all are still learning everyday, because we enjoy this game. 🙂⚽️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lasherdj
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Perspective

    As a former coach, travel club president and town recreation board member, it is fantastic to understand the perspective of an official. If I was still in the role, I would engage David to speak with our coaches, players, and families prior to each new year. Enjoy the topics and the sound reasoning that come with them.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    PSC NJ/GA Fan
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love from a fellow ref

    As someone who started reffing in my mid-30s, I feel like this podcast and all of the content made by David, is so so so helpful. I love his breakdowns of plays and his advice to new referees. I have been thinking about becoming a mentor and it’s because of David that the thought crossed my mind.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KrisA_Z2014
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive sentiment about content helping both new and veteran officials.
Listeners value practical, human-centered insights into refereeing.
Shows appreciation for community-building around referees and youth sports.
The host blends education with humor, keeping technical topics accessible.
Guests are often leaders in officiating and policy, adding credibility.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#241
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#134
Singapore/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

We Need Better Systems To Support Officials with Huck Sorock of REFR Sports
Q: How does REFR approach AI—internally vs externally?
REFR uses AI to speed up development, automate routine tasks, and enhance customer tools, while maintaining a strong human layer for personalized support. They describe AI as agentic, capable of performing multi-step tasks with human oversight, which helps both the internal team and the clients to operate more efficiently.
We Need Better Systems To Support Officials with Huck Sorock of REFR Sports
Q: Why should assigners consider REFR over traditional spreadsheets?
REFR provides a comprehensive platform that not only handles scheduling but also recruitment, training, payments, and community-building, all designed to reduce busy-work and increase retention. It also integrates AI to streamline workflows, cutting manual data entry and enabling faster, more informed decisions.
World Cup Concerns on the "For Ref's Sake!" Podcast
Q: What do you think makes a good referee?
A great referee must have integrity, courage, a willingness to learn, and a deep love for the game, which together enable clear communication, continual improvement, and the ability to earn buy-in from teams.
Respect The Call, Change The Game with Kari Seitz, VP of Referees for US Soccer
Q: What is Respect the Call and how does it complement the existing abuse policy?
Respect the Call extends the conversation from policy to practical behavior on the field. It uses engaging animations and targeted messaging to teach referees when and how to act, how to signal properly, and how to manage abuse in real-time, thereby changing expectations and culture.
Respect The Call, Change The Game with Kari Seitz, VP of Referees for US Soccer
Q: Can you talk about what it's been like this last year since the policy 531-9 was implemented?
There's been more conversation and better portrayal of referees in a positive light, with a structured framework that supports officials. The policy is not just a document; it's the backbone for training, reporting, and taking action when abuse or dissent occurs, which helps retain referees and elevate the profession.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About REFS NEED LOVE TOO

What is REFS NEED LOVE TOO about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on officiating across youth and professional levels, exploring how technology, policy, and mentoring shape the experience of referees. Recent episodes cover AI-enabled workflows for assignments, NCAA video review changes, World Cup prep and officiating culture, building sustainable youth referee pipelines, and mental-skills training for officials. A recurring thread is making officiating more accessible, humane, and professional through education, community-building, and practical tools for crews, coaches, and fans alike. Notably, guests range from grassroots referees to top-level regulators, with emphasis on inclusion, ethics, and continuous learning in the game's officiating ecosystem.

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Which podcasts are similar to REFS NEED LOVE TOO?

These podcasts share a similar audience with REFS NEED LOVE TOO:

1. Check Complete Podcast
2. Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
3. Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast
4. The Dan John Podcast
5. The Joe Rogan Experience

How many episodes of REFS NEED LOVE TOO are there?

REFS NEED LOVE TOO launched 4 years ago and published 111 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on REFS NEED LOVE TOO?

Recent guests on REFS NEED LOVE TOO include:

1. Huck Sorock
2. John Collins
3. Carlos Ledesma
4. Holly Jimenez
5. Jan Aravirtra
6. Scott Ledger
7. Eric Edge
8. Alex Perez

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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