Volunteers

Referees

Adult Referees

I want to volunteer as a referee. What do I need to do?

You will need your own Sports Connect Account within which you must:
1) Complete a background check

2) Take an in-person or online referee certification class

3) Complete the AYSO online classes: Safe Haven, Safe Sport, Concussion Awareness, and Cardiac Arrest.

Complete referee registration instructions are HERE.

Where do I get the referee uniform and equipment?

Whistles, badges, watches and uniforms will be distributed at in-person GWYSL classes. Otherwise email referee@gwysl.org.

How to Register for the Training

All in-person classes will be announced in league-wide emails. In person classes, once scheduled, will appear in AYSOU as Training Events. Online classes can be found in the AYSOU Training Library. Follow instructions HERE.

I have completed my training. How do I sign up to referee games?

Referees in GWYSL self-assign themselves to games to suit their schedule. Contact the referee administrator at referee@gwysl.org to have your credentials verified and be added to the Stack Officials scheduling platform. Instructions are HERE. New referees will be assigned mentors for their first games.

I'm signed up to referee games. Now what?

Detailed guidelines, policies and rules are HERE.

Youth Referees

I’m a kid! Why on Earth would I want to be a referee?!?!?

Well, assuming you’re already a soccer player, there’s a bunch of reasons:

It teaches you even more about the game. You get to understand why & how referees look at things, which can only help you in your games.

The kids love it! We start you at 7U & 8U games and those 6 & 7 years olds love it when an older kid is refereeing them.

It counts towards your community service requirement. If you’re in high school, this is possibly the most fun way to satisfy that requirement.

Finally, not saying that money talks, but ref enough games and you get a gift card at the end of the season to spend on cool soccer stuff.

 

How do I become a Youth Referee?

Youth referees are actual AYSO referees like any adult, with the same training requirements, and only a few key differences:

  • Youth referees must be registered as themselves as "youth referees" in the Blue Sombrero system (distinct from their “player” profiles) and the parent or guardian must complete the required permissions.

  • Youth referees must be certified via instructor-led courses (not self-directed).

  • Youth referees must be 12 years of age or older. In addition, they must be the same age or older than the players on games that they are assistant-refereeing, and at least two years older than the players on games that they are center-refereeing.

  • Youth referees who are center-refereeing must be me mentored by a certified referee for their first two games, and the mentoring referee should indicated to the regional referee administrator when the youth referee is ready to be on their own.

  • Youth referees must abide by the same Safe Haven protection guidelines when in the company of younger players, but youth referees must themselves also be protected by the same supervision and protection policies as players.