NOTE: Rivertowns United does not train or certify referees or assign referees - the USSF does. This page is intended to help connect youth with a jumping off point to learn about becoming a USSF-certified referee. Youth need to be motivated, and having a supportive parent's help as they navigate is advised.
Most Rivertowns United travel teams play in the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL); a few teams play in other leagues. The leagues hire USSF-certified referees to officiate their matches.
Minimum age to become a USSF referee: You have to be 14 or older to start the training and become a referee
What do travel soccer referees get paid? Payments are made through a banking app within the referee sign up system.
WYSL Game Fees (as shared by the WYSL referee assignor)
CR = center referee, AR = assistant referee
Youth referees are generally eligible to officiate U9-U12 as CR and U13-U19 as AR.
· U17-U19 - $125 CR / $80 AR
· U15/U16 - $115 CR / $75 AR
· U14/U13 - $105 CR / $65 AR
· U11/U12 - $85 CR (single ref)
· U9/U10 - $75 CR (single ref)
EDP Game Fees can be found here: https://newyorkclubsoccer.com/leagues/referee-fees
What is USSF referee training? The USSF trains and certifies referees (similar to how the Red Cross trains and certifies lifeguards). As of August 2024, the referee training course cost $170. Advanced registration is required. There are three parts:
>>> 4.5 hours of self-paced online coursework (completed at the latest, a week before the Zoom course date, so plan ahead)
>>> 2 hour Zoom class, led by an instructor
>>> 2 hours in-person training on a soccer field, led by an instructor
Where can I find more information and sign up for USSF referee training?
ENYSRA website: https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee
Where can find out upcoming dates for the USSF new referee certification course:
Go to this link and search on HOST "Eastern NY State Referee Committee" to see any upcoming local classes (do not search on LOCATION - that does not provide the results since the first class is via Zoom).
https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee/courses/available/10000006/list
After I am certified, how do I get games?
For WYSL officiating: The Westchester Soccer Referee Organization (WSRO) advises: once you get certified, notify the WYSL assignor, Victor Borges - [email protected] - that you have just gotten your certification. He will advise/set you up in the referee assignment system for WYSL games.
For EDP/other league officiating: Once you get certified, the referee assignors from nearby leagues should reach out.
Is there annual recertification? YES. Referees need to renew their certification each year. ENYSRA communicates about this each year.
Can USSF-certified youth referees officiate AYSO matches?
Yes, after doing the following.
- Register in the AYSO system
- Complete 2 trainings in AYSO U: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (30 mins) and Safe Haven (60 mins)
- Email [email protected] to inform us that you are registered and have completed the 2 trainings so that we know you are eligible to be assigned to AYSO matches.
- Find instructions on registering and then taking the classes in AYSO U here:
https://ayso.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=963429
2025 TRAVEL SOCCER REIMBURSEMENT OFFER FROM RIVERTOWNS UNITED FC
Rivertowns United FC created our reimbursement offer to encourage teenagers and adults to become certified referees and incentivize them to officiate Rivertowns United WYSL home games. This offer applies only one time per calendar year.
If you referee THREE Rivertowns United games, Rivertowns United will reimburse you $125 to show support and appreciation for your efforts in getting certified/recertified.
REIMBURSEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
After you have officiated THREE Rivertowns United travel soccer games, send the following SIX items all at once to [email protected]
-- 1 --- Your name/mailing address for the purpose of mailing the reimbursement check
-- 2 --- Receipt from obtaining or renewing your USSF certification (for the payment for the USSF Grassroots Learning Center coursework). If you need to search for the receipt in your email (or your parent's) -- the email address that sends receipts is [email protected]. Alternately, log into your account and find the receipt at https://learning.ussoccer.com/
-- 3 --- Receipt from paying the Westchester Soccer Referee Organization dues. If you need to search for the receipt in your email (or your parent's) -- the email address that send receipts is: [email protected]. Alternately, log into your account and find the receipt under your profile then "invoices and payments" at https://wsroref.wildapricot.org/
-- 4, 5, 6 --- Proof of having refereed THREE Rivertowns United WYSL or EDP games (home or away). The proof would be a screenshot of your payment for each game -- or a shot that shows payment for all three games. Your role can be Center Referee or Assistant Referee.
For your convenience, here is a list of Rivertowns United WYSL travel team home fields. For the offer to apply, the match needs to be on one of these home fields, with a Rivertowns United team playing in the match -- OR -- an away game, with Rivertowns United team playing in the match.
Burke Estate, Hastings
Concord Road Elementary School, Ardsley
Dobbs Ferry High School, Dobbs Ferry
Springhurst Elementary School, Dobbs Ferry
Waterfront Park, Dobbs Ferry
NOTE -- Greenburgh United teams also play on Springhurst; their home games do not apply unless they are playing against a Rivertowns United team.