Youth Referee Program

How to become a Youth Referee

OVERVIEW

Our region allows youths between the ages of 12 to 18 to become referees.

Becoming a volunteer youth soccer referee comes with a variety of benefits:

Personal Development: Youth referees learn essential life skills such as leadership, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Community Engagement: Volunteering offers an opportunity to be part of the local community and contribute to the development of youth sports.
Training and Education: AYSO provides training and mentors for its youth referees, which can be a great way to learn more about soccer and the Laws of the Game. All youth referees are supported by senior mentors present on game-day.
Youth Development: Referees play an important role in the personal growth and character development of young athletes, teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect.
Fun: It’s enjoyable to spend time on the soccer field with the “best seat in the house”. We hold an end-of-the-year party celebrating our youth referees and the families that support them.

ZERO ABUSE TOLERANCE - SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH AS REFEREES

It is important to remember that when a youth is refereeing a soccer match, he or she is an integral part of the official referee staff of our region. These youth represent future resources for AYSO and the greater community, and it is up to us - parents, coaches and fellow referees - to encourage, nurture and support them. We must give them the patience and positive reinforcement that is the cornerstone of AYSO. Every coach, player, and parent must keep in mind that the young referees working out there are our kids, and that we owe them the same, if not more, patience and respect than we give the players. And if you're a coach in a game where one of your spectators is being disruptive or challenging the youth referee's authority, you need to immediately intervene. Coaches, remember that the first line of responsibility for dealing with spectators rests with you.

YOUTH REFEREE REGISTRATION

Go to ayso108.org and volunteer to be a referee:

Click login at the upper right or register a new account.
If you are not on your account page, click the circle at the top right and click "Account".
Click "Volunteer" at the left.
Click "+ Volunteer at the bottom center.
Select "Show All Available Opportunities" at the bottom right corner.

Click on "View Divisions".

Check the "Referee" box.
Scroll down and then click on “View Selected Opportunities” in the bottom left-hand corner.
Click on "Youth Referee" as the right most option. Do not select "Referee"

Click on "Sign Up " and then "Continue".
Fill in your contact info, accept the various requirements. You'll eventually need to complete a few certifications, but don't worry about them now.
Follow the directions and complete your registration.

2) Go to aysou.org, and:

Take the Basic Referee online course.
Sign up for the Basic Referee Online Companion course. Belmont is hosting ZOOM "CLASSROOM" session followed the next day by a field work session at the Belmont Sports Complex.
We will send a zoom link via email a day or two before. You MUST finish the online course before taking the Zoom or field work portions of the companion course.
For the field session, wear some clothing good for some light jogging. You might want to bring a light sweater, hat, and maybe sunscreen.