Kickers FC host a few referee Informational nights for all players and parents interested in becoming a referee or wanted to continue on the referee path. This is open to anyone within or outside of the club.
Charles Speckman from Ref Assignors who is our field and ref scheduler.
Charles will discuss many different topics that will lead you into the season of being a referee for us at Kickers FC. Starting age is 12yrs old.
He will chat about Referee fees, Game Fields, Referee Uniforms, Referee Professionalism and more.
This is a great chance for many players to learn the game from the referee side of the game, which will help with your development as a soccer player.
Referee Information
New Referees
To work for the Kickers FC, you must be 12 yrs of age. Your first step is to go to the State of MN website at
www.MNYouthsoccer.org click on Clinics Listing to find an available course. This is a combination course of classroom and online modules and you must attend all sessions. Once you have determined which clinic best fits your schedule, you will then need to go to Registration – please read the instructions carefully. A class will be offered in Brooklyn Park or surrounding areas in March / April for the spring season and August for the fall season.
Once you have completed and passed the course, you will then need to register in ??? Program’s database so that you can start receiving communications from our Assignor. This is also how you indicate you are interested in working games.
To be considered for assignment to games through Ref Assigners, you are required to have the correct uniform and equipment. This includes – black shorts, black socks with 3 white stripes at the top, black shoes, a yellow referee jersey, a set of flags, a referee data wallet with yellow and red card, game day report forms, a whistle and a watch with a stop-watch function.
Mentor Program
Kickers FC mentors walk the fields on game days and offer advice and support to all our officials. Each season (Spring and Fall) begins with a pre-season meeting and all of our referees are expected to attend, especially newly certified officials.
Referee Recertification
The courses run throughout the year at different times.
FAQ's
How do I become a referee?
Kickers FC requires its officials to be at least 12 years of age. To become a referee, you must complete the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) certification course for Game Officials. The course is a combination of classroom and online modules of practical instruction for New Referees held prior to each season, usually over the span of a week, and must be passed to get your referee badge.
To register for the New Referee course, go to the State of Minnesota's Soccer Officials website
www.MNYouthSoccer.org and click the tab marked ‘Clinic Listing (View Only)’to locate the class in the North Metro Area that best fits your schedule. Go back to the home page and read the directions to register to become a referee. This is a two step process and will take some time.
What level should I start at?
Kickers FC recommends that New Referees begin at Grade 8; this has nothing to do with the grade you are in at school but refers to the level of officiating you qualify for through the certification course. Should you choose to certify at Grade 9, you can always upgrade later.
How much will it cost?
Initial registration with the State of Minnesota is $75. Your referee Uniform will be approximately $65-$75.
At the end of each registration year, in order to remain a registered official you have to recertify–presently also $75. There is no cost to register with Kickers FC. Fees are subject to change and our not set by Kickers FC.
What gear do I need?
You will need referee shorts (not basketball shorts), a yellow referee jersey, black referee socks with 3 white stripes, black shoes (black sneakers or black cleats), a watch with a stop-watch function, a set of flags, referee data wallet with red and yellow cards, game report forms, and a whistle. A bag to put all this in is also helpful.
How do I get games?
All games are obtained through an official Referee Assignor. To work with Kickers FC you will need to register separately. Games are assigned based on the age level of the teams and your level of experience.
Is there a mentoring program?
Yes. Kickers FC mentors walk the fields on game days and offer advice and support to all our officials. Each season (Spring and Fall) begins with a pre-season meeting and all of our referees are expected to attend, especially newly certified officials.
How much will I get paid?
This depends on the age level of the game and whether you are a center referee or an assistant referee.
Kickers FC pay scale is distributed to all attendees at the pre-season meetings. The center referee on each game is required to submit a game report online to the Assignor in order to get paid.
When will I get paid?
Each season, Kickers FC issues a mid-season paycheck and an end of season paycheck (usually 2-3 weeks after the season ends).
If you have any questions, please contact Kickers FC at [email protected]