Referee Program

2021 Eligibility & Requirements

ELIGIBILITY:
- 13 years old or older
- Connected to Soccer in the Streets program/location (player, volunteer, relative/sibling, referral from coach or program manager)
- Other referrals from partner organizations
- Individuals with demonstrated need (i.e. lives in a community without access or lacks access to other programs for various reasons, such as economic hardship, transportation difficulties, social/cultural barriers, etc.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Maintain a functioning email address
- Have access to a phone
- Complete a program registration questionnaire
- Participate in program evaluation PRE/POST surveys
- Attend orientation and periodic in-person training sessions
- Provide banking information for direct deposit or check delivery
- Provide information required for tax reporting purposes
- Complete online training for USSF certification
- Maintain professional appearance and attitude at all times
- Invest “sweat equity” to cover costs of professional development
- NEW: Plan and execute a community service project that requires a minimum of 10 hours.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GET TRAINED, GET CERTIFIED, GET ASSIGNMENTS .... IT'S TIME TO GET STARTED
New referee apprentice training is starting. Certification courses are now available. Tournaments are looking for referees NOW. If you're interested in starting or continuing your referee career journey, please email us >>> CLICK HERE

2021 GRASSROOTS REFEREE ENTRY LEVEL COURSE & 2021 GRASSROOTS REFEREE RECERTIFICATION
Courses are now live. Log in to your profile or set up a new profile in the USSF Learning Center by clicking here >>> CLICK. The requirement for certification is an online course (takes approximately 3-4 hours.).

Information for New Referees

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO JOIN THE SOCCER IN THE STREETS REFEREE PROGRAM:

1. First, tell us about yourself … CLICK HERE for survey
This form is used to: 1. get your contact information so we can communicate with you; 2. learn about your referee background and availability; 3. identify training and advancement opportunities.

2. Create an account in the USSF Learning Center (for certification courses) … CLICK HERE to access Learning Center
If you're ready to take a course and get certified (or recertified), and haven't registered through the new system (as of July 1, 2019.)

3. Read about Basic Guidelines for New Apprentices … Access document HERE
Please review this document prior to attending an orientation and being scheduled for games.

4. Check out Soccer in the Streets' Policies for Referees … View document HERE
This document includes information about payments, reporting and cancellations.

5. Complete required banking forms:
This must be done before you can be paid for officiating.
1. Payment Information … CLICK HERE to fill out form
2. W9 Form … CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT AND SEND FORM

6. Upcoming Apprentice Orientations … CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CALENDAR
For those who have not yet been certified through USSF and want to get some experience before taking the course.

7. Report games you have worked (required for payment) … CLICK HERE to report matches
Each time you officiate and for each match you officiate, you must complete this reporting form...

Info for Current & Returning Referees

FOLLOW THESE STEPS IF YOU HAVE BEEN A REFEREE FOR SOCCER IN THE STREETS BEFORE

1. Update your contact information and availability … CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

2. Login to the USSF Learning Center to update your profile and recertify for 2021 … ACCESS LEARNING CENTER HERE

3. Make sure that your payment information is up to date …
1. Banking/payment information form … FILL OUT FORM HERE
2. W9 … CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT AND SEND FORM

4. Check out Soccer in the Streets' Policies for Referees … View document HERE
This document includes information about payments, reporting and cancellations.

5. Report games you have worked using this form … REPORT MATCHES HERE
You must fill out the form for EACH MATCH that you work.

6. Look for upcoming Soccer in the Streets Training, Meetings and Mentor sessions … CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CALENDAR

Additional Resources

USEFUL LINKS:

Officiating in Georgia Soccer -
Georgia Soccer Referee Information … CLICK HERE
Requirements for Recertification … CLICK HERE
Georgia Soccer Referee Academy … CLICK HERE to learn more
Sanctioned Tournaments in Georgia … CLICK HERE
Submitting reports for misconduct in Georgia Soccer competitions … Click here for guidelines and report form

Laws of the Game -
IFAB - 2021 Laws of the Game … CLICK HERE (There's also an app available for Android and iOS)
Youth Modified Rules/ Small-sided Standards of Play … CLICK HERE
Law 16 and the Build-Out Line … See Georgia Soccer Letter Here

US Soccer Referee Information -
USSF Learning Center … CLICK HERE
USSF Referee Program … CLICK HERE

Other Guidelines & Policies -
Concussion Awareness … CLICK HERE
Reminder about GOAL SAFETY … CLICK HERE
Georgia Soccer Heat Policy ... Georgia Soccer letter HERE
Fitness Tips for Referees ... Fitness for Referees article Get in Shape, Stay in Shape article

Purpose

WHY IS THIS PROGRAM NEEDED?

There is a lack of entry-level jobs for teenagers. There is also a lack of screened, trained and certified referees, and many quit after only a short time. We need to bridge the gap for young people from under-resourced and under-represented communities to have access to the entry-level jobs that are afforded through soccer. We need to introduce these young people to the ranks of new officials, where they are sorely needed. However, they need to be introduced under conditions where they have the preparation, skills and resources to succeed.

WHAT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THIS PROJECT?

Goal 1: Increase the pool for potential referees in underserved communities (and beyond) and better prepare them for joining the ranks of soccer officials.

Goal 2: Provide an entry point through which candidates will be recruited, screened, trained and certified to officiate youth games and move candidates through that process.

Goal 3: Provide the support needed to retain referees once they enter the ranks of soccer officials.

Goal 4: Provide employment opportunities to the new referees and the resources needed to access these opportunities.