Q. Is there travel involved?

A. No, the only travel will be from your home/location to the soccer fields which consist of Carroll Complex or Nicholas field, which ever you are assigned to.

Q.How many games do I have to referee?

A. You determine how many hours you want to work each day.   I will assign you games according to your availability for that day.

Q.Do I have to be available every weekend?

A. No.  Each referee submits availability on Sundays designating the dates and times for that upcoming week that they are available.  You can let me know during the week if your availability changes and I can make adjustments with that.  However, last-minute changes or no shows will not be tolerated and are subject to a penalty.  I expect you to honor your commitment just as you expect me to respect your circumstances.

Q. What age groups will I be refereeing?

A. Generally each new referee is assigned to the lowest age group U6/U8 and after a little more experience and training you can be assigned to older age groups.

Q. Do I have to be a former player or coach to referee?

A. Although it would be helpful to know something about the game of soccer, it is not mandatory.                               

Q. What about training?

A. Each new referee must go through the clinic and take a      written test.  After they have passed the course and begin refereeing for EYSA  I will provide hands on training to each referee.

Q. What are the start up costs for a referee?

A. You will have to pay for the clinic fee which is approximately  $55.  You will then have to purchase a ref kit which consists of jersey, shorts, socks, whistle, flags, ref wallet (cards), shoes, all which can run anywhere between $50 and $100.

Q. How much money can I make?

A.  Pay is based on the age group and length of game.  The amount you make will depend on your availability.  Referees who are available more, make more money.

Q. What kind of shape do I have to be in?

A.  The length of game varies from 50 minutes (4 quarters for  U6/U8) to 90 minutes (2- 45 min. halves).  Running and/or being in a position to make the right call are beneficial to your success and acceptance as a referee.  You will be doing some running both as a center referee and as an AR (Assistant Referee).

Q. People talk about referees being yelled at by spectators

A. No matter what sport, the person making the judgments that affect the play of the game or the outcome is always held under scrutiny and sometimes criticism is verbalized unfairly or loudly or abusively towards the referee.  EYSA has a zero tolerance policy on referee abuse.  You will be taught and trained on how to handle these situations and when to stop the game to find a senior referee.

Q. What can I gain by refereeing’?

A.  You can strive to attain national or international referee  status through dedication and officiating aptitude.  It is a good resume builder as you will learn techniques that will prove to be extremely valuable in the workplace including: Conflict Resolution, the art of managing people, professionalism (being on time, having a professional appearance), building rapport in 30 seconds or less, and expanding the people you know.   There are 140,000 referees in the U.S. and approximately 2200 registered in Kentucky.  Of those people we have multi-millionaires, CEO’s, bank presidents, doctors, dentists, lawyers, and many other talents.  You will become a member of an elite diverse group of people.  Based on your life experience companies will value your worth.