Why should you become an AYSO Referee? We need you. We can't have games without referees. More importantly, it's rewarding and working with kids is great fun!
Referees are critical to soccer - the game can't be played without them. The referee's job is to be the official in charge of the game. He is the independent arbiter and manager of the game. Her authority extends to everyone at the field, including players, substitutes, team officials, spectators, and even assistant referees.
The referee's number one concern is to keep the game as safe as possible for the players. While there is risk in all sports, the referee is responsible for minimizing such risks from field conditions, equipment, spectators, and the players.
The referee is responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game in such a way as to keep the game safe, fair and fun for everyone: the players, the coaches, the spectators and themselves. He interferes with the game as little as possible, avoiding making calls for doubtful and trifling offenses. Referees only make calls for offenses they are sure occurred.
We want our kids to continue to play, and they keep playing as long as it is fun. Referees learn that fun soccer varies from age group to age group of players.
REQUIREMENTS (COACHES, REFEREES, TEAM MANAGERS, BOARD MEMBERS)
1) Volunteer Application
Every volunteer (coach, referee, board member, team parent, etc.) must submit a Volunteer Application each season through our Sports Connect portal.
2) Live Scan
Effective, January 1, 2022, all administrators, employees and regular volunteers in California MUST have a one-time background check as approved by the California Department of Justice to exclude individuals with a history of child abuse. This form of background check requires live scan fingerprinting.
To clarify, a REGULAR VOLUNTEER is a person who has direct contact with children 16 hours a month or 32 hours per year, which applies to most coaches, referees, team parents, and board members who spend 2 or more hours on the field weekly.
We will hold LiveScan events before each season. Please email [email protected] to request a Livescan pre-paid code if you have missed the LiveScan event.
3) Sterling Background Check
The application is delivered to AYSO National Headquarters and to Sterling Background Checks. Sterling provides all volunteers with for an annual background check which screens for volunteers’ suitability to work with our participants. Once the results of the background check are received by National and by Region 820, the volunteer will be evaluated for the volunteer positions selected.
ONLINE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the annual Volunteer Application and Background Check, there are certain training requirements that must be completed by all volunteers.
1) Safe Haven
All volunteers must complete the AYSO Safe Haven course before they are allowed to participate in any region activities. This course can be completed online through AYSO's learning platform, AYSOU, under the "Online Courses" tab. All volunteers are required to complete this prior to receiving team contact information and prior to holding team practice, so please complete the course at your earliest convenience.
2) CDC Concussion Awareness
The Concussion Awareness training can be completed online through the AYSOU platform. Once you have successfully completed the course, your certification record will be updated.
3) Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest training can be completed online through the AYSOU platform. Once you have successfully completed the course, your certification record will be updated.
4) Safesport Course (Not on etrainu / Instructions Below)
A comprehensive overview of facts, principles, and strategies to help you provide safe and positive sport environments. Units include:
- Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Education
- Mandatory Reporting
- Physical and Emotional Misconduct (including bullying, hazing, and harassment)
Accessing and Completing Safesport:
1 | Log into your Sports Connect account
2 | On your Dashboard, select the Volunteer tab on the left side of the screen
3 | Check the box next to Safesport
4 | Click Renew & Update
5 | A prompt will pop-up. Click the link to get Started
6 | You will need to create a Safesport account. During the process when you see the question for "Membership ID", leave this blank.
7 | Once the account has been created, go to "My Courses" and select "Safesport Trained- U.S. Soccer Federation."
8 | Complete the course
To access the online courses, please log into eTrainu and search for these courses under "SAFE HAVEN." Info on how to access eTrainu can be found below.
