First and foremost: the children need you: soccer cannot be played without referees. Referees keep the game safe, fair, and fun for everyone; we are mentors and real-time mediators. Other reasons to consider:
- It's fun,
- It’s great exercise,
- you control your schedule, all games are self-assigned
- parents of players under 8yo: you referee your child's game, no extra time needed!
- You learn a lot about the beautiful game, (e.g., you'll know more about soccer rules than many TV commentators!)
- You’d be doing great community work, by helping provide a high-quality sports education to children regardless of race, gender, social strata, etc.
- Youths aged 12 to 17 may satisfy the community service requirements for their schools. Officiating games also teaches them about leadership and mediation.
- AYSO would provide you with training, mentoring, and supplies; which may prove very useful if you decide to officiate club or school games.
There is no experience or knowledge of soccer requirements. We will train you in the “Laws of the Game” and on game management. We will support and mentor you so that you are comfortable officiating games.