Referees
There is always a need for additional referees at all levels of competition to meet the growth of youth soccer. To meet the shortage the District is working with Leagues to recruit and train referees. Grade 8 and 9 Referee courses that are hosted by District 1 Leagues will be reimbursed for the course cost and facility use fees up to the allotted annual budget.
There are no minimum age requirements to become a referee. However, many local leagues may require a referee to be older than the players that they are officiating. Parents are advised to assess the maturity level of their child prior to permitting them to take one of the Entry Level Referee Courses.
Entry Level Referee Courses
GRADE 8 Course description
This Course work will allow the student to referee all Recreational and Competitive Youth Games. After successfully completing the training and testing of the course work along with a field session the student will be certified as a Grade 8 Referee. These classroom sessions are often 3-4 hour long classes over two to three or more days. A final comprehensive test encompassing fifty questions of all 17 Laws of the Game and Mechanics & Procedures is given at the end. The student will need to score at least 80% on the final exam to obtain certification.
There are two types of course structures available:
- An 18-hour Classroom and field session. This course is taught solely by an instructor(s) within a classroom setting, not online. This course is often scheduled over several days with each session lasting 3-4 hours.
- A hybrid of Online Sessions, Classroom Sessions and a Field Session. Once the student registers for a course the student MUST complete the Online Sessions on their own before attending the first scheduled Classroom Session. The Online Sessions reduce the hours needed in the classroom and field session to only 16-hours. Each Law is examined and reviewed within the online modules. Some of the more complex laws are re-examined in depth in the classroom. A field session will also be part of the mandatory training. Students should dress and be prepared for physical activity as they will utilize Signals, Mechanics and Procedures as a center referee and an assistant referee
GRADE 9 Course description
This Course work will limit the student to ONLY refereeing Small-Sided and Recreational Youth Games. This is approximately a 10-hour in-class training along with a field session to obtain a Grade 9 Referee certification. This course is taught solely by an instructor(s) within a classroom setting, no online classwork. These are often a 11-hour course that may span over 1 to 3 days usually within one week. Each Law is examined and reviewed in class. A final test encompassing 50 questions of all 17 Laws of the Game and Procedures is given at the end. The student will need to score at least 80% on the final exam to obtain certification
If you would like to get more information on becoming a referee visit the California North Referee Association (CNRA) or check with your local League or Club.