Last fall, there were nearly 800 licensed soccer referees in the Madison area. However, considering the number of teams and games in the area, that figure really should have been between 1,200 and 1,500, according to analysis by the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association.

Reaching those figures would allow more MAYSA games to have three-referee crews, in addition to a better placement of officials at their appropriate skill and experience levels and the establishment of a mentor program to help younger referees.

MAYSA is working with its 42 member clubs and the Madison Area Soccer Referees Unit this offseason to help increase the number of referees. The goal is for each club to have a total of licensed referees that is equal to 10 percent of their players. Oregon SC expects to have approximately 900 players participate this season, which means we should have 90 referees. During the fall, though, there were 56 licensed referees from Oregon and Brooklyn, a number we would like to see increase.

Becoming a soccer referee is a great way to learn more about the sport, see the game in a new way and earn money, too. Candidates must be 12 years old or older to attend the New Referee Course.

The New Referee Course is a 16-hour course divided into eight hours online and eight hours in class, and the cost is $70. Referees also need to purchase a uniform and some basic equipment (approximately $50 to $70) before officiating their first match.

UPCOMING NEW REFEREE COURSES IN THE AREA
Feb. 12 in Belleville
Feb. 25 in Oregon (Rome Corners Intermediate School)
March 11 in Sun Prairie
March 19 in Verona

For instructions on how to register for the New Referee Course and more information about referees, visit the Referees page