Referees are an integral part of the game of soccer. Their primary functions are to ensure that the laws of the game are followed and that the safety of the player is ensured. Depending on the league requirements and level of match, one, two or three referees are assigned to a match.
Several different organizations train and certify referees: USSF for youth, amateur, professional, and international competition, AYSO for AYSO leagues, NFHS for high school soccer, and NISOA for intercollegiate competition. Referees are identified by grade based on certification courses completed and experience; higher grade referees are eligible to officiate higher level matches. Due to USYS’s close relationship with USSF, USSF certified referees officiate SCYSA sanctioned matches. Referees are assigned to matches by a USSF certified assignor who has the responsibility of matching a referee’s level and ability with the needs of specific ages and levels of players. Referees are usually assigned geographically for convenience and efficiency, and are often assigned in 3-match rotations so that a crew of 3 referees officiates 3 matches back-to-back with each referee taking a turn as head referee and assistant referee. Leagues negotiate with referee associations to establish referee fees for matches with matches of longer duration and higher level of play commanding higher fees.
Referee associations are entirely separate from USYS-affiliated organizations. USYS soccer clubs, leagues, and state association are NOT responsible for the recruiting, training, developing and assigning of referees. USYS leagues, clubs, players or coaches have no authority to hold referees accountable for their performance. Assessment and evaluation is conducted solely by the referee associations. Referee decisions are considered final; no process of challenge, appeal or grievance is provided to players, coaches, teams or clubs.
South Carolina, and in particular the Spartanburg area, suffers from a lack of qualified referees. As a result, referees serving a given area are often stretched thin during the fall season when the number of matches played each weekend is high. In addition, referees of appropriate qualifications may not be available in sufficient number so referees may be assigned to matches beyond their experience. Sometimes, if there are simply not enough referees to be assigned or a no-show occurs, a parent may be required to “run a line” for a game to be played. The number of matches played at a specific venue may be affected by the number of referees readily available and /or willing to referee.
Retention is a problem primarily due to the verbal abuse referees endure from parents, players, and coaches. The abuse is a result of uninformed and/or unsportsmanlike parents, players and coaches; poor referring due to a referee being assigned to a match beyond his/her experience or qualification; questionable calls due to overwork or fatigue because of excessive match assignments.
To help alleviate the referee shortage, clubs often encourage, or even require, players and /or parents to become certified as referees.
Note: For the good of the game, we would like to encourage as many players and parents to participate in the next available Referee Certification class. If nothing else it will be educational!
Recreational Leagues
|
Age Group
|
Referee Fees
|
Assistant Referee Fees
|
|
U8
|
$14
|
NA
|
|
U10
|
$18
|
NA
|
|
U12
|
$22
|
$16
|
|
U14
|
$24
|
$18
|
|
U16
|
$30
|
$22
|
|
U19
|
$40
|
$30
|
Classic and Challenge Leagues
|
Age Group
|
Referee Fees
|
Assistant Referee Fees
|
|
U12
|
$26
|
$18
|
|
U14
|
$28
|
$20
|
|
U16
|
$34
|
$26
|
|
U19
|
$40
|
$30
|
