Referee
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Why Become A Referee
There are three requirements for a sanctioned soccer game to happen: two teams, a field and a referee. Impartial referees are an integral part of ensuring a safe and fair game can be played in our local leagues.
Without referees our PSC teams could not play their home soccer matches which are 20 weekends out of every year!
U9 and older games require United States Soccer Federation (USSF) licensed referees and without a licensed referee or referee crew, games may be cancelled and/or forfeited, and/or teams fined.
To have enough licensed referees to support our youth programs we draw from the families and friends of our players. If every PSC team has 1 Affiliated Referee do 1 game a weekend for another PSC team, then we will never have a Center Referee shortage! (But we also still need some surplus in our referee pool in case of other conflicts, affecting any particular referee.)
As a member organization of the Jack London Youth Soccer League (JLYSL), PSC teams and referees follow the guidelines established by JLYSL. All JLYSL member clubs contribute into a shared referee pool so that we can seamlessly share referee resources across any JLYSL match across our soccer community. For more information, please also visit:
http://www.jlysl.org/referees.html
Note: PSC U6 and U8 teams use parent coaches to officiate matches. No licensed referees required.
Where do PSC / JLYSL Referees come from?
The referee role is paid and recruits can come from a broad cross-section of our community, including current and former club parents, coaches, players and local high school or college players.
Individuals who are 13 years of age or older can become a USSF licensed Grassroots referee. This national license allows a referee to officiate any JLYSL recreational youth league or NorCal Premier competitive youth league match as a Center or Assistant Referee. The licensing class requires approximately ~5 hours of online coursework and a follow up three-hour field session.
Referee Pay and Bonuses
JLYSL provides referee base pay and per game bonuses (see below):
http://www.jlysl.org/referee-pay.html
Referee Support and Development
PSC and JLYSL have established a mentor program whereby new referees are paired with experienced Referee Mentors to work together in initial games. This program is designed to help new referees find assignments at their comfort level and have an opportunity to level up into more advanced matches over the season. For more information please see:
http://www.jlysl.org/mentoring-program.html
Other Benefits
Becoming a referee is an excellent way to support the youth soccer community, learn all the rules of the game, and get paid for it. https://www.theifab.com/laws-of-the-game-documents/?language=all&year=2025%2F26 And in the case of parents, you can be able to cover your own child’s game, in case of necessity/need, If no one else has signed up a few hours prior to match start
Note: The disclosure process is important. The visiting team has the first right to supply an affiliated referee or, with the opponent’s understanding, a home team affiliated referee may be used. In our experience, visiting teams share our desire for youth games to be played with any licensed referee present.
For information on how to become a referee go to U.S. Soccer Learning Center – California North Grassroots Info
Referee Classes
Cal North Area 4 Referee Association
Each local league sponsors courses during the year. As they are scheduled, information will be posted on the CNRA Clinics web page. The local league pays the cost of the clinic, purchases the books, and obtains and pays for the facility. The district assigns the instructors. For more information or to sign up, contact the local league.
First-time referee training classes in our area — find times and location details here:
U.S. Soccer Learning Center – California North Grassroots Info
How to register to Referee with JLYSL
JLYSL schedules games and assigns referees using SportLynx.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A REFEREE FOR JLYSSL.
The SportLynx registration process takes about 10-15 minutes and will prompt you to create a Stripe payment account to manage your game payments. You will need your bank account and routing number or ATM/debit card to complete setup.
After your SportLynx account and Stripe payment account have been created, the league referee coordinator will process your registration request in July & August. You will receive an email confirmation once you are approved. Once games are scheduled and published in early August, you will be notified and can begin requesting game assignments.
If you have any questions or need additional support, please contact SportLynx by email:
