There were demanding tasks that were set out for the new organization, and recruiting an officiating staff was paramount. The Board recommended the organization adopt the name Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) and designed a logo that depicted an official pointing forward with his left arm extended. The first patch that was worn by the officials on their black jersey was the logo with the LISRA over the top. The early days main activity was the training of the intramural referees for the enhanced competition and the higher levels of play. The Laws of the Game were taught in both the classroom and on the field and then followed by game assessments. Senior officials from the Southern New York Referees Association were invited to address the clinics. The Board of Officers also grafted a Constitution and Operating Guidelines for the officials. The Guidelines included requirements of referees, uniform appearance, conduct on the field, ethical behavior, knowledge of the laws, field mechanics and minimum requirements test for testing. Despite the huge workload the Founders took on, the whole effort was not universally accepted by the existing Southern NY Referees Assication. LISRA was branded as an outlaw operation and was not given recognition despite having a fair nucleus of certified officials as participating in the establishment of the organization. Although the movement to establish LISRA was not openly accepted because there would be “unqualified referees” officating games, the Southern NY Referees Assication could not support the demand to assign referees for travel and intramural soccer on Long Island. To support this new referee organization, the Long Island Junior Soccer League accepted LISRA as the officiating organization to provide referees for LIJSL games. Game assignments were made weekly for the 25 to 30 LI Junior League games, participating intramural programs, and a new activity, interstate and international anual club tournaments. Many of the LISRA officials were the “soccer people” that were also organizing clubs, coaching youth teams and playing Senior soccer for the Long Island Senior League. So for those individuals and families, weekends were filled with plenty of soccer and significant hours in the car traveling between sites.

In the Spring of 1971, the LISRA sought to bring the organization to an important change in status and recognition. Long Island wanted it’s own identification and not to continue as the eastern group of the Southern N.Y. Referees. Guided by the dedicated efforts of Wily Noble and Keith Bantz, LISRA pursued a course of independence based on the quantity of referees in the organization and the quality level of officials in the membership. After countless meetings and presentations to Southern N.Y. Referees Association Board of Directors, the Long Island Referees Association was recognized as a qualified and certifying organization. Southern N.Y. initially insisted that they should retain oversight of LISRA, and top level State Cup games, and high profile exhibitions and tournaments would be the responsibility of Southern N.Y. Referees. However, since the number of LIJSL matches increased each season that required coverage had grown at such a rapid pace, LISRA established its own identity by providing superior officiating services to soccer in the area. Later, LISRA applied to the USSF for direct affiliation with the national organization and was granted full representation when the region reorganized into Eastern N.Y. Soccer Association.