Consistent with the AYSO philosophy: referees, coaches, administrators, field workers, and all others involved with AYSO in Region 1447 are volunteers, giving freely of the time and talents for the children. Most referees are parents who have volunteered to help make AYSO successful for the players.
AYSO referees range in experience from beginners to very experienced. Region 1447 is a very new region and we are in the process of training new referees to help the kids with their games. In 2007, we were able to train over 75 referees. This by no means, indicates that they are all professional referees, however, it does give us a great start to build upon.
Beginning referees usually start with the youngest players, those under ages 5 and 6. As their children advance in AYSO, referee parents usually move up and advance with their children. We are always in need of referees, especially in the older age groups.
Also, at the other end of the spectrum, several of America's highest ranked referees started in AYSO and sometimes referee AYSO games.
AYSO Referees are not paid.
The Referee's Job
The AYSO Referee is the official in charge of every soccer match. As an all-volunteer organization, our goal is to provide an environment where the parents, spectators, coaches, players, and referees are all members of the same team.
Our referees are taught that games are designed to provide a safe, fun, and fair environment for the game of soccer.
Not every referee has experience, as such, from time to time there are problems that need to be addressed and additional teaching, learning and training that needs to be completed.
Not everyone is well suited to refereeing in youth soccer. While a referee's authority at a field for a single game is final, the Referee Management Team in this region is always interested in getting feedback to help identify referees that need additional mentoring, training, or reassignment
We need more Referees
AYSO is an all volunteer organization. Parents, coaches, referees and administrators all work together in assure that the players are developing, learning, and having fun, all in a safe and fair environment.
We need volunteers: ex-soccer players, ex-athletes, concerned fathers, soccer-moms, older siblings and grandparents. Anyone can be a referee. If you volunteer when your children/players are young, then it is very easy to progress and learn with them.
It is not necessary to have had previous soccer experience to be a good referee. Attend the trainings and we will teach you and work with you to learn the game and rules.
We also need spectators that like to heckle during games. If you have some experience, something to say, or feel that you can do a better job than referees you have seen, please join us, help us work together to improve the experience for the players, parents, coaches and administrators. Make a difference in a postive and influencial manner.
Referee Training
In region 1447, we work with the AYSO Region 104, on the east side of Albuquerque, to provide training for the referees.
We provide training at a variety of levels: U5-6, U7-8, Regional, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
Classes teach the laws of the game, practical guidelines, reference material, and a test on the material.
Volunteers who wish to become certified at the U5-6, U7-8 and Regional Levels can attend one of the required sessions when they are offered. For Intermediate and Advanced levels, additional training and requirements need to be fulfilled.
After each training session, uniforms are handed out. You do not need to purchase any referee equipment, it is all provided.
Currently in Region 1447, we are in need of referee schedulers, mentors, assessors and instructors. Please contact the regional referee adminitrator if you are interested.
