NOTE: Rivertowns AYSO does not train referees -- the training is provided by National AYSO through AYSO U (AYSO University). This page is intended to help connect youth with a jumping off point to learn about becoming an AYSO referee. Youth need to be motivated, and having a supportive parent's help as they navigate is advised.

Rivertowns AYSO recreational teams need referees for their home games during the fall and spring soccer seasons. We encourage soccer-knowledgeable youth and our players' parents -- to become trained referees. Our coaches hugely appreciate having trained referees at their matches -- it allows them to focus on coaching and managing the players. Anyone already certified as a referee with AYSO or USSF can also serve as an AYSO referee -- they just need to register in the system for the current year.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE YOUTH REFEREE PROGRAM

Minimum age to become an AYSO referee: 12 years old
* For youth under age 14, a parent or guardian must stay at the match to support their young referee

Training is required and provided FREE via online courses:  See FIRST AND NEXT STEPS below.

How much training is there?
Referees 12 to 17 years old --- 5 required courses -- need to be completed before you can officiate a game
Referees 18 and older --- 7 required courses -- need to be completed before you can officiate a game

When and where are Rivertowns AYSO home games? Sundays between 12:00 and 6:00 (generally) and on fields in Ardsley, Dobbs, or Hastings

Gear: referee jersey and whistle - provided when you complete the required training courses. Referees wear their own black shorts or track pants, black socks, and soccer cleats.

How do I get assigned to games?  As soon as you complete ALL the required training, email [email protected] to let us know, and we will put you in touch with the referee assignor who will share season game dates and ask you about your availability as well as jersey size.

How referees get paid? Payments are made through Amazon electronic gift cards.

How much do they make per game and how long are the games? 
Fall 2025 / Spring 2026
19U (high school) games  / minimum ref age 16 years old / 105 minutes / 11v11 / $75 center ref  / $50 assistant ref
14U (7th/8th grade) games  / minimum ref age 14 years old /  85 minutes / 11v11 / $60
12U (5th/6th grade) games / minimum ref age 14 years old /  75 minutes /  9v9 / $45
10U (3rd/4th grade) games / minimum ref age 12 years old / 60 minutes / 7v7 / $25

Fall 2026 / Spring 2027
19U (high school) games  / minimum ref age 16 years old / 105 minutes / 11v11 / $90 center ref  / $50 assistant ref
14U (7th/8th grade) games  / minimum ref age 14 years old /  85 minutes / 11v11 / $75 center ref  / $50 assistant ref
12U (5th/6th grade) games / minimum ref age 14 years old /  75 minutes /  9v9 / $60 center ref  / $40 assistant ref
10U (3rd/4th grade) games / minimum ref age 12 years old / 60 minutes / 7v7 / two equal refs - each make $25

* Exceptions can be made to the minimum age if the youth has gained experience and is deemed mature and ready.
* Youth referees can apply their work hours to service/volunteer hours if they prefer. Just let the coordinator know before the season starts.

Required Courses
1 - AYSO's Summary of the Laws of the Game (30 mins)
2 - Regional Referee Training (120 mins -- called "Online + In-Person Companion Course 2-Part Bundle")
3 - Safe Haven Training (30 mins)
4 - Concussion Awareness Training (30 mins)
5 - Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training (30 mins)
If you are 18 or older, there are 2 additional requirements:
6 - Risk Status/Sterling background check (10 mins) 
7 - Safe Sport Training (abuse prevention training 60 mins)

FIRST AND NEXT STEPS

Step 1 - Youth referee needs to create their own account and register as a volunteer (even though it is paid, this is how it works)
-- Go to rivertownsayso.com.
-- Click REGISTER NOW and create an account.
-- The account needs to be in the referee's name and using the referee's email NOT under their parent's account/email.
-- Youth under 18 must enter a parent email address in the secondary email address box.
-- If asked, "Which best describes you?"  -- select "Team coach or other personnel" (or similar).

How do I get to AYSO U after registering?
-- Log in to your account at rivertownsayso.com.
-- Click the VOLUNTEER button or tab to see your volunteer dashboard.
-- Click the AYSO U button.
-- The AYSO U webpage will open in another tab, and it will show that it is logging you into AYSO U.
-- Once in AYSO U, use the menu to navigate to the referee classes.

Where are the required referee courses in AYSO U?
-- Click TRAINING LIBRARY.
-- Under SAFE HAVEN -- Safe Haven, Concussion Awareness, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Safe Sport (18+ only).
-- Under REFEREE -- Regional Referee - Online + In-Person Companion Course (2 Part Bundle) and Summary of the Laws of the Game.
-- Click VIEW COURSES to access each course -- the menu list does not take you there.
-- Once you find the class, click ENROLL and get started.
-- The system saves your progress, so you can log out and log back in.

How do I register for an in-person referee class in AYSO U?
-- Once you are in AYSOU, click TRAINING EVENTS and navigate month by month to see any upcoming training events.
-- Find the referee training in the calendar and click on it to get to the training info page.
-- Read all the details, then click ENROLL to sign up. Follow any prompts and provide any needed info.
-- You will get an email confirming your registration.