Elevating Referee Development at 2026 Hawaii State Cup

National Referee Coach Harlan Matthews will be on-site mentoring Hawaii referees throughout the tournament.

The Hawaii State Cup continues its commitment to referee development by welcoming Harlan Matthews as an on-site referee coach for the 2026 event.

Harlan will be present at the fields observing matches, offering feedback, and engaging directly with referees across all levels.

This initiative reinforces our investment in growth, performance standards, and long-term referee advancement in Hawaii.

Announcement

Harlan Matthews currently serves as:

  • U.S. Soccer National Referee Coach

  • PRO Assessor

He became a National Assessor in 2007. Throughout his career, he has held multiple leadership roles and has supported referee development at the adult amateur and professional levels.

His experience spans:

  • Performance evaluation

  • Referee advancement pathways

  • Match management development

  • Assessor education

About Harlan Matthews

During State Cup, referees can expect:

On-Field Observation
Direct evaluation during live matches.

Post-Match Feedback
Professional, constructive development conversations.

Pathway Guidance
Clarity on regional and national opportunities.

Open Q&A Access
The chance to engage directly with a national-level referee leader.

This is a strategic opportunity to gain insight that typically requires travel to mainland events.

What This Means for Hawaii Referees

Bringing national-level coaching to Hawaii reflects our ongoing commitment to:

  • Raising referee standards

  • Supporting advancement pathways

  • Investing in mentorship

  • Building long-term excellence

State Cup is not just a competition environment — it is a development platform.

Our Commitment

Be proactive. Introduce yourself. Seek feedback. Maximize the moment.

Working State Cup?