There are four steps to becoming an AYSO Referee:

STEP 1: Contact our Referee Administrator, Dan Eizans, at [email protected] to let us know you’re interested. This way we can track the processing of your application, notify you when everything has been completed, and get you signed up for the next available training course ASAP.

STEP 2: Register as an AYSO Volunteer.

- If you’re a new youth referee (aged 10-17), follow these step-by step instructions.
- If you’re a new adult referee and don’t have a Sports Connect account (this is what you use to register players for AYSO soccer each season), follow these step-by step instructions.
- If you’re a new adult referee and already have a Sports Connect account, follow the instructions below:

• In the top right corner of this page, choose “Register Now” and login to your account.
• After signing in, select “Volunteer” on the left-hand panel.
• Choose “Find Volunteer Roles.” On the next page you will find one program, click on the “Select” button and then click “View Available Positions” below.
• A complete list of possible volunteer positions from all divisions will populate, click “Sign up” next to ANY of the Referee positions and then “Continue” at the bottom.
• Select yourself and “Continue.”
• Complete the volunteer application (you will need to enter ID information for verification purposes), accept the waiver, and then “Continue.”
• E-sign your volunteer application, then “Continue to Review.”>
• Last, review your application and “Submit signed volunteer application.”
• Please use the link provided to complete your Sterling Volunteers background check. NOTE: there is no cost to you for this – AYSO covers the required fees for all volunteers!

STEP 3: Complete online training courses

To activate your AYSO-U account, follow the instructions below or view the step-by-step instructions here.

• At the top right corner of this page, login with your Sports Connect account.
• Go to AYSO-U (www.aysou.org) and click “Login” in the top right corner. You should automatically be logged in with your Sports Connect account.
• Click on the “Online Courses” tab in the banner, then click “open” next to Safe Haven Courses
• Complete the three required courses: AYSO Safe Haven, CDC Concussion Training, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training by clicking “Open” next to each course and “Launch” for each of the modules in the course.
• Start the online portion of your referee training by clicking on “Online Courses” tab in the banner, then click “open” next to Refereeing Courses.
• Complete the Regional Referee Training by clicking “Open” next to that course and “Launch” for each of the modules in the course. You’ll want to print your certificate and bring it to the in-person training session, just in case.

STEP 4: Attend an in-person training seminar to complete your training and receive your gear.

• At the top right corner of this page, login with your Sports Connect account.
• Go to AYSO-U (www.aysou.org) and click “Login” in the top right corner. You should automatically be logged in with your Sports Connect account.
• Click on the “In-Person Courses” tab in the banner, then click “Open” next to Referee Instructor Led Courses
• Click “Open” next to Regional Referee Online Companion Course, and then select “Sessions” to show available dates for training.  NOTE: additional local training sessions will be added as needed, so it’s important to reach out to the referee administrator (see Step 1) early in the process!
• Click “Register” next to the desired session and attend training!
• Upon successful completion of this course, we will equip you with all the gear you need to be a referee.  No need to purchase uniforms or equipment on your own.

We highly encourage all new and returning referees to attend our Referee Meeting the week prior to each fall and spring season kicking off.  More information on this meeting will be provided via email.

You’re now ready to officiate matches as an AYSO Regional Referee!  For additional resources or tools, check out our Resources & Training page for more information.