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Artwork for REFS NEED LOVE TOO

REFS NEED LOVE TOO

David Gerson
Youth Soccer
Fitness
Football Officiating
Youth Sports
Referees
Referee Training
Handball Rules
Refereeing
Health
Aging
Parent and Coach Behavior
Nutrition
Exercise
Soccer
Recovery
Foul Recognition
Copa America
Referee Management
Referee Respect
High School Soccer

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 monthlyEpisodes92Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSoccerNews CommentarySports

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Artwork for REFS NEED LOVE TOO

Latest Episodes

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We sat down with Daneen Gonçalves, founder and chief visionary officer of The Referee Advocates, to unpack a simple idea with massive impact: treat referees like an integral and supported part of your club, build clear development pat... more

YouTube

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Tired of holding your flag up for Offside, while the whole sideline screams “REF!”? We go straight at the problem and bring on engineer and referee Sam Rall, the creator of RareBit Offcial buzzer flags. He shows how a simple haptic si... more

YouTube

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The whistle isn’t the hard part. It’s the noise around it—sidelines boiling over, subtle bias that undermines authority, and those early games where one bad interaction can end a career before it starts. We sit down with rising offici... more

YouTube

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Grief has a way of focusing the lens on what actually matters: how someone lived, how they treated those who couldn't fight back, and what they stood for even when it was unpopular. My dad never reffed, but he taught me everything abo... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Danine Gonçalves
Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of The Referee Advocates, seasoned leadership coach with over 30 years in the soccer community.
The Referee Advocates
Episode: Saving Grassroots Soccer Through Referee Support with The Referee Advocates
Sam Rall
Engineer, Referee, and Disruptor, founder of Rare Bit Pro Buzzer Flags
Rare Bit Pro
Episode: From Haters To Hardware: Making Better Buzzer Flags For All Referees
Mia Clark
A talented young referee who was part of the first ever all-female high school referee crew in central Minnesota.
St. Cloud State University
Episode: A Young Ref Stands Up To Abuse And Finds Her Voice: Special Guest Mia Clark
Matthew Conger
Former FIFA World Cup referee and director of Holistic Leadership Development Consultancy
Total Referee Limited
Episode: From Georgia to the World Cup: Referee Matthew Conger Shares Lessons Learned on the Biggest Stage
Skye Eddy
Founder of Soccer Parenting and The Sideline Project, aimed at engaging parents to make youth sports better.
Soccer Parenting
Episode: Crazy Soccer Parents! The Path to Healthier Youth Sports
Dr. Ryan Martin
Leading expert on emotional wellness and anger management.
Author and Speaker
Episode: You're Not the Bad Guy: Why People Get Angry at Refs and What to Do About It
Dr. Matt O'Brien
State Director for the Florida Futures Referee Program and PhD in math education
Florida Futures Referee Program
Episode: The Base Matters Most: Rethinking Referee Education for the Masses with Matt O'brien
John Collins
National Coordinator of Men and Women's Soccer Officials for the NCAA
NCAA
Episode: The Path to NCAA College Soccer Officiating: A Conversation with John Collins
Michael Parkhurst
Former professional soccer player and co-founder of Beyond Goals Mentoring
Beyond Goals Mentoring
Episode: From Center Back to Life Coach: Soccer's Mental Game with MLS Legend Michael Parkhust

Host

David Gerson
Host known for his engaging style and expertise in referee development and youth soccer. An advocate for better treatment and support for referees, he integrates personal experiences into discussions to humanize and inspire the next generation of officials.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 117 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 States5 months 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 States9 months 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 States9 months 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 States10 months 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many express appreciation for the educational aspects that help improve understanding between referees and community members.
Listeners praise the engaging and heartfelt content that provides unique insights into the world of officiating and youth sports.
Feedback emphasizes the supportive community that the podcast fosters among sports officials and those involved in youth sports.
Several reviews highlight the show's humor and relatability, making complex topics accessible and interesting.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#127
Saudi Arabia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#129
Singapore/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#222
New Zealand/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Young Ref Stands Up To Abuse And Finds Her Voice: Special Guest Mia Clark
Q: What advice would you give to a 14 year old referee dealing with dissent from coaches and parents?
Practice in your head how to handle those situations and think of what you could say to make things smoother.
Navigating the 2025-2026 Laws of the Game with Leland Grant
Q: What are the key changes in the new laws of the game?
The key changes include restrictions on who can communicate with referees, updated drop ball rules, the controversial eight-second goalkeeper control rule, and a focus on improving on-field behavior.
Crazy Soccer Parents! The Path to Healthier Youth Sports
Q: What would be one key habit or mindset shift that parents can adapt immediately to try and positively influence that sideline?
Skye suggests that parents learn the difference between supportive and distracting behaviors, with a focus on eliminating distracting behaviors to improve the overall environment on the sidelines.
Crazy Soccer Parents! The Path to Healthier Youth Sports
Q: Can you describe the concept of what you see as a level-headed parent and contrast that with a crazy parent?
Skye Eddy explains the difference, stating that crazy soccer parents cause issues on the sidelines while level-headed parents are usually quiet and disengaged due to the presence of crazy parents. She advocates for empowering the majority of level-headed parents to take back the sidelines for the benefit of youth sports.
The Path to NCAA College Soccer Officiating: A Conversation with John Collins
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing our referee community today?
The biggest challenges are overexposure and burnout among referees, along with a need for more people to get involved to alleviate the burden on current officials.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

Focusing on the often-overlooked perspectives of soccer referees, this podcast combines humor, education, and insightful analysis to reshape perceptions of officiating in sports. Through discussions that delve into the personal experiences of referees, it challenges the common narratives surrounding referee roles while actively promoting their development and well-being. The content not only covers gameplay dynamics but also addresses the critical issues of referee training, community support, and the emotional aspects involved in officiating, making it both informative and engaging for listeners involved in youth soccer and beyond.

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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. Red or Yellow | The Refereeing Podcast
2. REFSIX - The Referee Podcast
3. The Joe Rogan Experience
4. Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
5. The Ramsey Show

How many episodes of REFS NEED LOVE TOO are there?

REFS NEED LOVE TOO launched 3 years ago and published 92 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. Danine Gonçalves
2. Sam Rall
3. Mia Clark
4. Matthew Conger
5. Skye Eddy
6. Dr. Ryan Martin
7. Dr. Matt O'Brien
8. John Collins

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