Bob Sabella

Impact welcomes renowned National Referee and Assessor, Bob Sabella, as the Club's new Director of Officiating. He brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of the game of soccer, most importantly, as a Referee and Referee Assessor. His job as Director of Officiating will include recruiting, training, observing, mentoring, and upgrading referees. One of his main proposals is assign referees to match qualified officials to the appropriate level of games. Sabella, as the story goes, "was born from my Italian mother's womb playing soccer". He has continued to play soccer at all levels, including in college and professionally. Bob has referee'd hundreds of games from 1986 until his retirement in 2004. He worked in the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), including 8 years as a National referee in both the Men's (MLS) & Women's (WUSA) professional leagues. He worked for ten years as a college referee in the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). He has also officiated in FIFA International [national team & club team] games. And, Sabella earned his USSF D & E Coaching licenses in 2006. Currently, Mr. Sabella is a 2010 USSF National Assessor. For over five years, he has been reviewing Referees to allow only the most qualified into the National program. His knowledge and experience will bring quality training to Impact's referee program. Mr. Sabella hopes to "elevate the officiating level and the soccer level as a whole, as well as generate additional interest...without sacrificing the safety of the players."
Bob Sabella and his wife, Jacque have 3 daughters and 2 sons, all adults now. Bob is a retired B-747 pilot from Japan Airlines and, when not on a soccer field, now works with Southern Air. He and Jacque have been living in Antioch since 1985. Impact Soccer Club is lucky to have him. Welcome, Bob!