Referee Mission

AYSO Region 820 in Menifee is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for the sport of youth soccer. The region’s referees acknowledge that they participate in an organization that provides a service to the Menifee Valley area, Region 820 in particular, and pledge to referee each match fairly and impartially within the Laws of the Game.  The staff also pledges to recruit, develop, and promote referees through clinics, meetings, certification courses, and peer feedback as well as formal evaluation and mentoring.

The staff’s goal is to encourage referees to do their part to promote the sport of youth soccer in a positive way by their actions on and off the field, as well as uphold the six core philosophies of AYSO:

• EVERYONE PLAYS - Our program's goal is for children to play soccer, so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least half of every game.
• BALANCED TEAMS - Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible, because it is fair and more fun when teams of equal ability play.
• OPEN REGISTRATION - Our program is open to all children between 4 and 18 years of age who register and want to play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing.
• POSITIVE COACHING - Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment by the players, and ultimately leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players.
• GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP - We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect, rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.
• PLAYER DEVELOPMENT - We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.

AYSO Region 820 Referee Code:

• Always remember: the game is for the players; player safety and fair play always come first;
• Study and learn the Laws of the Game and understand the 'spirit' of the Laws; help fellow referees to do the same;
• Encourage and endorse the AYSO philosophies of Everyone Plays, Positive Coaching, and Good Sportsmanship;
• Respect other referees and their decisions, and do not publicly criticize another official;
• Wear the proper uniform and keep it in good condition;
• Maintain good physical condition so you can keep up with play;
• Stay calm when confronted with emotional reactions from players, coaches, and parents;
• Honor accepted game assignments; in an emergency, please do your best to find a replacement;
• Support good sportsmanship with a kind word to players, coaches, and parents of both teams, when deserved;
• Always be fair and impartial, avoiding conflicts of interest; decisions based on personal bias are dishonest and unacceptable;
• Follow the AYSO Team Rules; and
• Have fun, be safe!