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Madison Area Youth Soccer Association

Referees

HOW TO BECOME A REFEREE

In recent soccer seasons, there's been a shortage of referees across the Madison area, the state and the country. 

You can help address that shortage!

The First-Time Grassroots Referee course is for candidates who haven't previously been registered as a referee, or for previously registered referees who have had a lapse in registration (2021 or earlier). The minimum age for referees is 13.

The total cost of the course is $70-100, depending on the referee's age. However, successful candidates who complete all requirements will receive a $70 reimbursement of their registration fee from the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association.

Additionally, the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association offers several bonuses:

  • First-time referees: $50 after officiating their first five MAYSA league games, and another $25 after five additional games.
  • All referees: $65 after completing their recertification course for the following year, provided the referee officiated a minimum of 10 MAYSA league games. Or, $100 for referees who officiated a minimum of 15 MAYSA league games.

FIRST-TIME GRASSROOTS REFEREE COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  1. Complete all U.S. Soccer required assignments in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center
  2. Create a GameOfficials account*
  3. Successfully complete a WisRef in-person course

This is a 12-hour course:

  • 8 hours in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center (approximate, you can start and save your work on this)
  • 4 hours with WisRef instructors (in-person course)

STEPS TO REGISTER AS A 2024 USSF REFEREE

 

  1. Create a Referee profile in the U.S. Soccer Learning CenterInstructions
    • Please note that this profile is for the referee, not for a parent/guardian. If you previously have been a referee or a coach, you will already have an identity; please do not create a duplicate profile.
    • If you are 18 or older, you will be prompted to pay for and complete a two-year background check and complete the SafeSport module ($30). If you turn 18 during a registration period, you will be required to complete the background check and SafeSport in order to continue refereeing.
  2. Register for the 2024 Wisconsin New Referee Course.
  3. Complete all required U.S. Soccer coursework.
  4. Create a GameOfficials account for assignments.*
    • Referees will be creating an account in the GameOfficials Assigning system. Note that this is for the referee, not a parent if the referee is a minor. Once the referee has successfully completed all requirements for their 2024 registration, their assignment account will be activated.
  5. After completing steps 1-4, send an email to sue@wisref.org to select a date/time to attend a WisRef in-person course. The available in-person courses also will be listed when you register for the New Referee Course. You cannot reserve a spot for an in-person course until you complete steps 1-4.
  6. Attend the WisRef course. Referee candidates are required to be actively present and participate through the entire session.
  7. 2024 badges will be mailed out upon successful completion of all the above steps.

Note: WisRef will be leaving the GameOfficials platform as of Jan. 1, 2024. These instructions will be updated with information from Ref Insight, the new WisRef platform, when they are available.

FALL 23/SPRING 24 REF FEES

 

AGE LEVEL MAYSA AND WYSA STATE LEAGUE
9U/10U $22 / $16 / $16
11U/12U $34 / $24 / $24
13U/14U $46 / $34 / $34
15U/16U $58 / $42 / $42
17U and older $68 / $48 / $48