Document Type

Post-Print

Publication Date

8-2026

Abstract

Purpose/Rationale

The purpose of this study was to examine factors (needs and motivations) that contribute to retention of young soccer officials.

Design/Methodology/Approach

An online survey was distributed to soccer referees who received their first USSF officiating license as a juvenile.

Findings:

Correlational and regression analyses yielded five key findings: (1) Self-Determination Theory (SDT) principles are salient to retention; (2) Intrinsic Motivation and Sense of Community significantly impact retention; (3) variables across scales were highly correlated and had large effect sizes; (4) findings were similar across demographic variables; and (5) small increases to Relatedness and Choice had a large impact on retention.

Practical implications

Officiating associations should help young officials be competent through training, feel they have a choice to stay involved with sport by serving as officials, and develop a sense of community with fellow officials.

Research contribution

SDT is an appropriate framework for understanding referee retention.

Originality/Value

In the U.S., close to 75% of soccer referees who begin officiating between the ages of 14 and 17 quit before they are 18 years old. By understanding factors that contribute to the retention of young referees, sport administrators can use this knowledge to better recruit and retain officials.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2026.2711226

Publication Information

Managing Sport and Leisure

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