SSBRA Gettiing Match Assignments

Getting Match Assignments
by Bill Cook, SSBRA Assignor

This page is mainly for all the new Members who are not yet familiar with how I get your availability and how you get your assignments. Some of you “old timers” might want to listen up also as I still get some unusual responses to my requests for availability. Additional information can be found in the Assignment Overview.

SSBRA: Are You Available?

Approximately 7 to 10 days before I assign weekend games I use the email address you have provided and request your availability for that particular weekend. The link in the email will take you to a web page where you will let me know what days and times you are available. Look for the lines reading "ANY VENUE" and click the box to tell me that you will accept games during that time slot. After you check the boxes you must hit the “Save your availability” button in order for me to get the info (the line changes to a green color when you have been successfull). You will occasionally see individual cities/venues listed, but just IGNORE them as clicking on those boxes does absolutely NOTHING: I will not see that information on my availability roster. Only use the "ANY VENUE" lines.

If you have conditions or restrictions that do not allow you to accept “ANY VENUE” — such as not wanting to do J-League or PSL games or you do not want to travel out of the South Bay area to do games — then you MUST send me a separate email telling me when you are available and what your restrictions are. Remember that the more restrictions you give me, the fewer games you will get.

It is best to respond to the availabilty request quickly. Once I start to assign, I pull your availability information offline and I usually do not look at it again. If you respond late, I will not see you on my printed list and, obviously, you will not get games. Save the email request, or better yet, bookmark the link: whenever your availability changes you should update the system.

SSBRA: You are requested to referee a match

I use two (2) separate and distinct assigning systems.

Coast Soccer League: The CSL system is for CSL games only(their regular season runs from mid-September to December). I post assignments on the system and send all Members an email notification (even Members who have not been assigned). You must access the CSL system, using your CSL ID and password, and accept or decline your assignments. Contact me if you do not know your CSL ID & password.

SSBRA EasyAssigning: Our own SSBRA system is used for ALL games EXCEPT CSL games. When I assign you to games using our system, you get an automatic email for each game that I assign you to, with a link that allows you to accept or decline your assignments. You do not use your CSL ID & password for this system. If you do not get an email then you did not get any games. I may later assign you to games, however, when referees decline assignments because they suddenly remember that their daughter is getting married that weekend, or it is their wedding anniversary, or it is their spouse's birthday, and on, and on, and on…, etc.

Both systems work very well, especially when you give me accurate and timely availability information. For those who abuse the system frequently, the number and quality of games suffers accordingly. Give me good information and be dependable and I will give you the best games available when your name comes up.

Any questions? Give me a call at 310.316.0808 or send me an email.