Youth Referee Program
Overview
The SOTH Youth Referee Program is a great opportunity for kids 10 and older to become certified referees and get paid for refereeing games.
Twice a year clinics are offered on Capitol Hill, normally at Tyler Elementary, for kids to become certified referees.
Certified referees are assinged to games on Saturday's on fields in and around Capitol Hill. Referees for games must be at least two age groups older than the age group playing.
Details
Sports on the Hill has offered a referee training and utilization program for many years, to both serve our “in-house” programs, and to provide referees to SOTH teams that play in the Suburban Friendship League (https://www.sflsoccer.org/). Refereeing can provide kids (and adults) opportunities to better learn the laws of the game of soccer, to develop leadership and organization skills, and of course, perhaps make a little money.
All referees 13 years old and older are trained and certified by the state referee association. All referees need to get recertified annually, by taking supplemental training.
Because of federal regulations involving the collection or use of personal information of youth younger than age 13 via websites or online services, the state association no longer will offer training for referees under 13 years of age. SOTH is in the process of developing a program for training kids under 13, but this program has not yet been implemented.
For the last few years, new referees were required to also attend a one 1-hour training session that focuses on SOTH policies and procedures, our philosophy, our expectations for our referees, how referee scheduling occurs, and guidance on how to deal with problem coaches, parents, and kids.
Due to the pandemic, referee training activities are currently suspended, but will hopefully restart in August.
Except for a watch, SOTH provides all the necessary gear (jerseys, whistles, cards, socks, etc.) for referees.
For small sided (4 v 4) games, teams generally split in two, and games are conducted on adjacent fields. For these games, one referee is assigned per game. These games are generally refereed by referees under 13 years old.
For full sided games (9 v 9, or 11 v 11), referees are assigned into 3 person teams – one center referees, and two assistant referees (ARs). These games are generally refereed by referees 13 and older.
Please continue to monitor this website of updated information on referee training opportunities.
Mike Godec
Referee Coordinator
mgodec@adv-res.com