Referee Start Here
Want to Referee for CCYS?
So you think you would like to referee for CCYS? Ok, we are here to support you. But you need to be committed to us as well. Here are some guidelines to help you decide if you really want to referee with us:
Are you at least 12 years of age? Do you know soccer really well? Are you familiar with most of the basic rules? As a player, do you wish you could be the one to make the official calls in the game? Are you committed to training both in class and on the field? Are you willing to start refereeing players under the age of 9? Are you committed to staying in shape? Are you willing to referee for more than one season with CCYS? Then here's what you need to do:
1. Obtain a Grade 9 (entry level) referee certification
All referees in Massachusetts are certified by the Massachusetts State Referee Committee (MSRF). In order to become a Referee, you will have to complete the Grade 9 certificate given by MSRF. To register for a referee course, go to the MSRC website to check out their course listings. Here are some interesting facts:
- Courses are seasonal
- Course fill quickly, sign up soon.
- Certification is good throughout Massachusetts, not just in Concord.
- Certification is good for one year
- When you complete the certification course you will be receive a patch to wear on your uniform. It states what "grade" referee you are*and when your certification expires.
Types of referees CCYS uses and their requirements
Grade 9 referees
- are at least 12 years old
- should have successfully completed the Grade 9 one-day course
- can referee In-town Grades 2 through 4
- can assistant referee older games
- occasionally experienced grade 9 referees can referee travel U9/U10 games but
- (rule of thumb-referee needs to be two years older than the age group playing)
Grade 8 referees
- must have completed the Grade 8 2-day certification
- must be 16 years old, or have been a grade 9 referee for more than a year and have the sum of the years they have refereed and their age equal 16 years or more
- can center any CCYS game (if you are at least two years older than the players)
- CCYS encourages eligible referees to obtain the Grade 8 certification
- a referee can take the on-eday Grade 8 bridge course if you are a currently certified Grade 9 referee.
2. Register to Referee with CCYS
To register as a referee, send the CCYS Referee Coordinator, Pam Rockwell an email telling her your name, phones numbers and email address, and when you are available to referee (or not.) CCYS reimburses for an initial certification course, or a bridge course to a new grade (but not for a yearly recertification course.)
3. Register with BAYS (Boston Area Youth Soccer)
This is the league that CCYS plays in for our Travel program. You may do so by going to the BAYS website . There you should, set up an account with them using the referee registration button on the left-hand menu of their site. After BAYS sets up your account, log in to update your profile and "Apply to Towns" (which towns/clubs you would like to referee for) making sure CCYS is on your list. Should you need help while using the Referee Registration system, there is a Referee site user guide on the main menu under the Referee heading.
4. Get a uniform and kit
CCYS referees need to wear a yellow referee jersey, black shorts, and black socks with 3 white stripes. You will also need a whistle, stopwatch, and referee wallet. CCYS will reimburse you up to $50 for your referee equipment once you referee a game for us. CCYS will also provide flags to center referees of games that have assistant referees. Referee uniforms and equipment can be purchased at Tricon Sports in Lexington or at Soccer Stuff in Acton, as well as through on-line vendors. We play in very cold weather and snow, as well as into the summer, so we recommend that you get a short sleeve shirt that is big enough to wear over a sweatshirt in cold weather.
Referee Assignments and Payments
The Referee Coordinator, Pam will begin making assignments and will contact you after you are registered. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Pam. Remember you are one of many Referees (over 50) and it make take a day or so for her to get back to you.
CCYS referees are paid. The pay scale runs $20 to $60 per game depending on the number of years experience and position covered during the assignment. Payments from BAYS start about two weeks into the season and payments from CCYS are sent out at the mid- and end-point of the season.
Referee Mentors
CCYS supports the continued field training of its referees through the Referee Mentoring program. The Referee Coordinator appoints senior referees to observe younger referees during games. Usually, the mentor is there to observe and offer advice that will help new referees to build confidence. CCYS pays for referee for mentoring.
New referees will be assigned at least one game with a referee mentor. Usually this is a second or third grade game (U8 or U9.) The new referee meets with the mentor before the game and gets some advice, then referees the game while the mentor observes, and discusses the game at half-time and at the end.
