Interview: Jonathan Bilinski fitness-coach and referee in USA - 2023-08-04
Photo: Victoria Klum Media
Interview with Jonathan Bilinski
Jonathan Bilinski, who lives in Florida, is a referee and also runs his own company, helping referees with training and setting up fitness programs. We met Jonathan briefly when we visited the USA earlier this year and discovered that he loves Spintso and always uses his Retro Pro for matches. It's a perfect fit to interview him and delve into Jonathan's journey as a referee, with a touch of training and physical focus for referees. Jonathan also mentions that he was one of the first in New York to get a Spintso... Who knows?
– Hi Jonathan, how are you?
– I'm doing well. The weather here in Florida is warm and humid. I've been doing a lot of traveling as a referee, but overall, things are good.
– Is the weather in Florida really that nice? Not too hot? – Haha, for me, it is. The hotter and more humid, the better. That's how I've always operated and trained. Some people don't like it, but for me, it's perfect. I really love and enjoy it!
– Ok, let's go back a few years. When did you start refereeing?
– I officially started refereeing in 2008 or 2009. I was involved in a lot of indoor and youth games back in New York, and that's how I got started. I began working with the US Soccer Federation in 2010, which was when I officially joined. Before that, I officiated high school and college games for a year or two.
– Why did you decide to become a referee?
– Well... the funny thing is, I never wanted to become a referee. I was a player and aspired to play at the highest level. Refereeing didn't make sense to me initially. But when I stopped playing, I wanted to find a way to stay involved in the game. I wanted to give back to the sport and felt that I could potentially do a better job than some of the referees I had encountered. Once I took that first whistle, I was hooked. Refereeing turned out to be a fun experience for me. Looking back, I realized that I started refereeing to give back to the game that had given me so much.
– Jonathan, as a player, how did you treat referees on the field?
– Well, I was a goalkeeper. I believe I was pretty calm on the field. I might have received a cautionary yellow card once, but not for dissent. I never gave the referee a hard time. I knew they had a tough job, so I stayed in my area and never argued. I treated the referee with respect and was generally cooperative.
– Besides refereeing, what else do you do?
– I am a referee performance and nutrition coach. I work on training referees for their physical performance and assist with nutrition programs. I would say that my other job involves developing fitness programs for officials. It's something I find awesome because I've been involved in building programs and going to the weight room since my playing days. Now I work with referees of all ages, ranging from those aspiring to turn professional to national and amateur referees looking to improve at their level. I work with data, including heart rate data, and focus on areas such as nutrition, explosiveness, endurance, and muscle building. This field is my passion, and it has always been a part of me as both a player and a referee. Initially, when I started my company, it was broad, and I wanted to cater to all types of referees. I am also a former Baseball Umpire. While I still work with other referees, over 90% of my clients are football/soccer referees.
– Interesting! It's a unique endeavor. When it comes to developing referees, what areas do you think they need to focus on more?
– Putting on muscle is always a significant aspect. However, the biggest area where referees need to focus is high-intensity running. Endurance can always be improved, but high-intensity running is the key for referees to work on. I would say that around 90-95% of the referees I meet need to work more on this aspect. Sprint training for 5-6 seconds or longer is the crucial fitness component that referees should prioritize.
– Your partner at home is also a referee, and you interact with many referees. What's the best thing about working with and being around referees all the time?
– Here in the US, I have worked with almost every referee out there. The best thing about it is that I enjoy providing them with feedback based on their different lifestyles. Whether they are young, old, amateurs, or professionals, I take pleasure in giving them information about fitness. I have been involved in fitness for over 20 years now, and I love offering different perspectives on fitness to referees. They often tell me, "This is what fitness means to me," and I respond by saying, "You know, that may not be the right fitness approach for you." I break it down for them. Americans take pride in their soccer/football, and referees are no exception. So it's not always easy to convince them to try something different, but I love it when they realize it and we can work together. Referees here have high fitness standards, but sometimes they focus on the wrong aspects of fitness. I have also worked with referees overseas and international referees, and when I provide them with information about the fitness level we have here in the USA, they are amazed.
– In general, do referees have anything in common? Do they share similar personalities?
– Yes, the one common trait that all referees, including myself, have is a deep love for the game. They all want to give back to the sport. Some, like me, may not have reached the highest level as players, but they want to contribute to the game and have another shot at reaching the top. Many referees share the drive and mentality to continuously improve and become the best they can be. They strive to do the best job possible. Refereeing is still a competitive field, and that's a defining characteristic among referees.
– And what about you? What do you find to be the absolute best thing about being a referee?
– Personally, as an official, I find a lot of self-reflection when I meet other referees and see the challenges they face. Working with them helps me identify areas where I need to improve myself. It's a back-and-forth process for me. But, as I mentioned before, I love the game, and being a referee gives me the best seat in the house to experience it. I genuinely enjoy being a referee!
– What level are you currently at in the States?
– I am a national soccer referee. I officiate in matches such as Pro matches, USL, League One, and the highest women's league. Typically, it involves the USL Championship, USL League One, MLS Next Pro, and the NWSL.
– Your partner, Alex, is also a referee, right?
– Yes, she is currently an international FIFA Referee. She officiates in matches similar to mine and also serves as a fourth official in MLS.
– Okay, so do you and Alex talk about anything other than football, training, and referee-related topics?
– Haha. That's pretty much our conversations every day... haha. We do talk a lot about football, training, and referee related topics. But we also enjoy discussing travel plans, trying new restaurants, and finding new adventures to go on. We are always discussing our fitness training and I am also her fitness trainer, of course. She enjoys fitness, and I help her structure her training. We support each other—I assist her with fitness, and she helps me analyze matches and other aspects related to refereeing. She has a better understanding of the laws of the game than I do, so we complement each other in every aspect of being a referee. It's a significant part of our lives, and we push each other in a positive way, which is fantastic.
– Where do you see yourself in a few years?
– Well, age is just a number, and as long as you stay fit and keep improving, being an older referee is not a problem. My long-term goal has always been to become a full-time MLS Referee. That aspiration still holds true. In the short term, I want to continue at my current level, receive assignments, and work on improving the areas I need to focus on. The structure in the USA has come a long way since I started refereeing. I want to maintain my drive, competitiveness, and the high fitness standards. As long as I have that motivation, I will continue to love the game!
– Thank you, Jonathan.
If anyone is looking for contact, inspiration, or other referee fitness-related matters, please visit: https://dynamicathletetraining.com/
Photo: Victoria Klum Media