The AYSO Youth Referee Program in Region 143 has more than doubled in size since last season. And we want it to keep growing!
As a Youth Referee you will gain a whole new understanding and appreciation of the game of soccer, while ensuring players enjoy have a Safe, Fair, and Fun playing experience. You'll learn the laws of the game, and receive training and support from experienced mentors.
Youth ages 12 - 17 are trained as Regional Referees and can referee games up to 12U, depending on your age. Referees must be two (2) years older than the players in the games they are refereeing. If you're not quite 12 years old yet, you can still take the training and serve as an 8U Official for the 8U division. Once you turn 12, you will be upgraded to a full Regional Referee.
You'll get a lot out of volunteering as a Youth Referee:
- Gain a better understanding of the game
- Great resume builder
- Earn service hours
- Support your own team by earning Ref points
- Support your siblings/friends' teams
Becoming a Youth Referee is as easy as 1-2-3
- REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER - Youths will need their own volunteer account set up at ayso143.org using their own email. See below/to the right for step-by-step instructions on creating an account and singing up as a volunteer.
- TRAINING - Youth will take three trainings from the Safe Haven Category in AYSOU:
- CDC Concussion Awareness
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- CERTIFICATION - Youths will take the Regional Referee Certification courses; in AYSOU:
- Go to the "Training Library" and take the "Regional Referee Online Companion" course found in the "Refereeing" category.
- Enroll in the in-person companion class from the "Training Event" menu; attend the class, pass the test, and you're ready to go!
NOTE - youths under the age of 18 do not complete the background screening, Live Scan fingerprinting, or SafeSport.