U.S. Soccer Federation last month announced the launch of R90+, a new referee development program designed to identify and support high-potential referees as they work toward the national level and beyond.
The program received a significant boost with a $2 million gift from longtime soccer supporter Rob Lovelace, an equity portfolio manager and chair of Capital International, Inc. For Lovelace, the investment reflects his lifelong connection to the sport and dedication to growing the game.
Lovelace spoke with U.S. Soccer about why referee development deserves greater investment and how he hopes R90+ can help create a more inclusive, sustainable future for soccer in the United States.
What experiences have shaped your connection to soccer and your appreciation for the role referees play in the game?
RL: My connection to soccer began with American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in California when I was a kid in the 1970s, continued through college and then as a coach for both my daughters again in AYSO. I went to my first World Cup match in 1982, and I've been to almost all men and women’s World Cup tournaments since then. So, let's just say I am deep into soccer at all levels!
Referees are essential to every level of the game, but their development is often less visible. Why was investing in referee development important to you?
RL: My wife Alicia Minana and I were looking for ways to impact soccer more broadly across the country. Everyone wants to invest in helping our National Teams win, and people love to help youth soccer in general. In contrast, quality refereeing is something everyone knows we need to have, but no one thinks about investing in it. It doesn't take long to realize that without good, well-trained referees from diverse backgrounds and with resilience, we are not going to have a great sport or a great experience.
What stood out to you about R90+’s vision and approach to identifying talented referees earlier and giving them sustained access to coaching, mentoring, education and high-level match opportunities?
RL: The grand vision by U.S. Soccer is to have a holistic system that is integrated from youth soccer through professional and National Teams. I am excited that, through R90+, they had the wisdom to include referees in their plan for development beginning at the youth level and continuing through the highest levels. Refereeing deserves the same level of attention and focus because without it, we really can't compete. We also want to keep the game safe and fun. Referees are critical for that as well.
Why did you believe U.S. Soccer was uniquely positioned to turn this investment into meaningful, lasting change?
RL: Under its current leadership, U.S. Soccer now has a clear vision and plan for the sport that started as audacious and now looks very realistic. We are excited to see U.S. Soccer be bold, and as they inspire more and more people to join their vision and support it, that helps assure us all that the changes will be durable and lasting.
How do you view the role of philanthropy in helping U.S. Soccer pursue ambitious ideas that might not otherwise be possible?
RL: U.S. Soccer has stepped up its game in terms of sponsorships and other sources of revenue. But even with those improvements, there is still a need for philanthropic support to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Certain areas, such as refereeing, will not naturally get sustained support from commercial sponsors. We think that without philanthropic investments, our referee development would still be fine, but we need it to be great.
When you think about the impact of this investment years from now, what would success look like and how do you hope it inspires others in the soccer community?
RL: The expectation behind our gift is threefold:
- The U.S. Referee program and its leadership are not used to philanthropic support. Our gift has already helped them think differently about how philanthropists might be willing to help them and how they can use that to increase the resources they have for their goals.
- Alicia and I care a lot about historically underrepresented groups finding their way into the game that we love so much – and not just as players. So how are we making sure that view is included in all the things U.S. Soccer is doing?
- We also intended to highlight the fact that there are many angles to the bold R90+ plan U.S. Soccer has for growing the sport. Yes, we want the National Teams to win. Yes, we want youth soccer to thrive and develop the best talent while keeping it safe and fun. We also want to make the sport affordable, inclusive and a consistent experience across the country. That all takes a very broad brush of support.
So, success for us would be for a program like refereeing to be able to attract more support and sponsors than they have historically, and within that to demonstrate that even people with modest resources can become referees, coaches and other roles where they tend to not be seen. If we demonstrate the impact of philanthropy in a program like Referee Development, we hope that will inspire people looking at other parts of the vision to be bold, inclusive and forward-thinking as well.
