FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON (Friday, Nov. 11)— Washington Youth Soccer on Thursday announced that Will Niccolls, a longtime professional and collegiate referee in Washington and beyond, has been hired to the newly-created position of Referee Program Director and will oversee all of Washington Youth Soccer’s officiating programs and referee development.
Washington Youth Soccer Press Release
The new position, which replaces the State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA) post vacated by Roberto Alvarez earlier this year, will incorporate many jobs previously conducted by the SYRA, as well as new duties that will further enhance Niccolls’ ability to implement initiatives and create further programming for referee development statewide.
As Referee Program Director, Niccolls will work under the leadership of Technical Director Gary White to improve refereeing standards statewide through courses, seminars, up-to-date training programs and materials, and other initiatives designed to prepare both male and female referees at all levels of Washington Youth Soccer.
“Washington Youth Soccer is committed to increasing development in all aspects of the game, from our players, to our coaches and referees,” says Association President Doug Andreassen. “The creation of this position in the Technical Department is yet another example of our state association setting trends nationally.”
With decades of experience in officiating, leadership and organizational development, Niccolls is uniquely qualified for the new position. In addition to having worked as a referee at the professional and collegiate levels for the past 21 years, Niccolls also holds a Master’s degree in public administration, with a focus in organizational leadership, and once worked as a White House staffer.
“The Technical Department is extremely excited about the appointment of Will Niccolls as our Referee Program Director,” says White. “Will brings enthusiasm, passion and drive and will be a great addition to our department. It’s time in the modern game that player development, coaching development and referee development be a part of the same program and work towards Washington Youth Soccer’s mission in regards to the development of the game.”
“Will Niccolls is a dynamic leader with a clear vision for the betterment of the game,” says Washington Youth Soccer CEO Terry Fisher. “Together with Gary White, he will be instrumental in helping us build a referee program that is unparalleled in this country, and we are excited to have him on board.”
goalWA.net Archive 
Best thing that could happen to officiating soccer in greater seattle in a long time. Congratulations Mr. Referee!
Are you a WASRA member? What do you think of this move so far? I got an email from a referee, who said…
“We are early in this new format. It remains to be seen how this will effect the relationship with the WASRC as well with US youth soccer on a regional and or a national level.
From what I know is that this will have an effect only on a youth level. Referees earn their stripes on the youth level as they make the decision to work at a higher level, upgrading first to grade 7 and then beyond.
While WYS can engage on how referees are assigned and trained at the youth level. Assigning pro games are done at a different level. Assigning college games are done with some of the same people, but through a different organization.
The benefits?
Maybe a we can get better at identifying good young referees? Maybe WYS can educate coaches and fans to allow referees to grow by becoming more involved in educating them on the game itself as oppose to the game from a player, coach or a fan perspective?
The caution?
What is the motivation? What is the goal? How will referee be treated in the future?
What will be expected of them down the road?
“educating them on the game itself as oppose to the game from a player, coach or a fan perspective?”…. educating them on the game itself, but not from a player, coach or fan perspective. what perspective should they learn from, some omnipresent godlike perspective or how about just looking at the concrete laws of the game without any context. Understanding which situations the laws should be strictly adhered too and which situations they should be more flexible. Educating them from a player, coach, or fan perspective seems to me to be the only plausible and relevant manner in which to teach a referee the game. Now, taking all these perspectives into “perspective” is important.
I think that there are probably some great young referees out there that don’t even know it because they are playing the game. For me, the best referees are the ones that have played the game (competitively) because only then can you truly appreciate all the intricacies involved. The referee world does not take into consideration any playing experience, which I think is ridiculous. It seems to be a little to caught up in politics, good ole boy system, but I was only in it for a short time. What about the referees that have played the game at a high level (professionally or college) and don’t want to be stuck refereeing u11 girls games so they go referee GSSL games. THose GSSL games DO NOT count towards anything! You get no credit towards becoming a higher grade referee and they are possibly the hardest games to referee. A bunch of angry blue collared middle age men with no side line refs, good luck!
Anyway, this is my perspective and I think its a valid one, but for me there needs to be some changes in the referee world. I understand that people that go from playing the sport to referee do need to learn some of the techniques and some rules that they may not be aware about. Maybe I am wrong?!
I think the MLS has been moving in a right direction with some of the promotions about play on, stop whinning and what not. as well.
please be patient and give the young man the chance!
Just to make clear… i was hounding the system not the man. Mr. referee. Sir. Niccolls will be great!!