Support the game of soccer by becoming a referee! This is a rewarding way to participate and assist others to play this great game. Opportunities are available for referees beginning at age 13. We are prepared to train and assist fully certified referees and recreational referees.
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) establishes the training standards for fully certified soccer referees in the US. The entry level for new Referees for 2024 is called “Grassroots”. A Grassroots referee is certified to work all youth matches (Rec, Challenge, Travel) and amateur Adult Leagues.
To referee USSF matches you must successfully complete the training to become certified with USSF as a new Grassroots Referee. New Referee certification in-person clinics will be scheduled locally in late summer and over the winter, but more are also offered around the state. Note: clinics in Charlottesville, Augusta or Richmond will be listed on the state website in the CENTRAL area, while clinics in Harrisonburg or Orange will be listed in the NORTH area, and clinics in Roanoke or Lynchburg are in the WEST area.
EFFECTIVE 07/01/2023
ALL NEW USSF REFEREE CLINICS require completion of online modules in advance of any in-person “classroom” or “field” clinic sessions. The online training for new Grassroots referees takes 6-8 hours. The in-person Field Training Session takes 4 hours. Once the online work is completed, you can transfer to one of the field training clinics.
AFTER July 1, 2023, you can begin by going to the Metro DC VA State Referee Program website at www.vadcsoccerref.com. Click on “BECOME A REFEREE” at the top and follow the instructions. The cost is $85.00. Once you have registered, the clinic that you are looking for as a First Step clinic is: Referee – Grassroots Entry Online PreClinic. Once you have completed ALL EIGHT online lessons, you will be eligible to transfer to a clinic called EGRHFT (FT represents “FIELD TRAINING”). There is a cutoff date for each FT clinic, so do NOT wait until the last minute!
Local USSF Field Training clinics are currently scheduled:
Central-05-0723-EGRHFT Charlottesville, VA Sat 07/29/2023 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
North-18-0823-EGRHFT Harrisonburg , VA Sat 8/12/2023 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Central-16-0823-EGRHFT Charlottesville , VA Sun 8/13/2023 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Central-17-0823-EGRHFT Charlottesville , VA Sun 8/20/2023 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Central-18-0823-EGRHFT Charlottesville , VA Sun 8/27/2023 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Some of the online lessons are to be completed at the USSoccer Digital Learning Center, but there are also lessons at the State training site. An e-mail from USSoccer that you have completed the course ONLY means that you have completed that one lesson. The online training system is not very “user-friendly” so be prepared to contact your Area Director of Instruction for assistance.
It is REQUIRED that each referee have their own e-mail address. During the certification process, you will set up a profile at the State OMS site and a profile at the USSOCCER Digital Learning Center. For the databases to link correctly, these profiles MUST have exactly the same first and last name and e-mail address.
SOCA and Augusta United also offer a less extensive training program as a Recreational Referee, who is allowed to work Rec and Challenge matches for SOCA or Augusta United. These referees are not certified to work for other clubs or assignors. The cost is $35.00.
Recreational Referee training is presently scheduled:
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Sunday 08/06/23 in Charlottesville
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Saturday 08/12/23 in Waynesboro
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday 08/19/23 in Charlottesville
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Sunday 09/10/23 in Charlottesville
Those interested in being a Recreational Referee for SOCA or Augusta United games should contact lecky.stone@socaspot.org
If you have questions, please contact:
Robert Lecky Stone, Jr., USSF Referee, Referee Mentor and Assignor
MDCVASRP Central Area Director of Instruction
1109 Meadow St.
Charlottesville VA 22903
Cell (434) 962-0115
WORK e-mail: lecky.stone@socaspot.org
HOME e-mail: leckystone@comcast.net
Referee recertification clinics for 2024 badge will be available at the State Referee Program training site after July 1, 2023. To register and complete the online sessions, log in at https://mdcvasrp.omgtsys.com/MemberLogin.aspx
RECERTIFICATION: All existing USSF Referees are required to re-certify annually. If you have a 2023 badge, you will still need to recertify with the State before you can receive a 2024 badge and referee in calendar year 2024. NOTE THAT IFAB HAS MADE CHANGES IN THE LAWS OF THE GAME WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT JULY 1, 2023!!!!!
