Referee FAQ

If you don’t find the answer to your specific question contact our Referee Assignor Amy Davis at [email protected].

I’m interested in becoming a referee, where do I start?

To become a referee you need to be 14, or turn 14 before the next soccer season starts. As Dover Sherborn is part of the BAYS league and BAYS is affiliated with the Massachusetts State Referee Committee/US Soccer, you need to qualify by taking the Grassroots Referee course. All necessary steps to become certified can be found at https://www.massref.net/becoming-a-referee/steps-to-become-referee/. DS Soccer Club will reimburse your fee for this initial certification course; please email the receipt to the Club Treasurer. Upon completion of the course you will be eligible to work Grades 3-8 games for the Club.

 

Can I download the Laws of the Game?

Yes! The Laws of the Game plus several other useful resources can be found here.

I’ve taken the Grassroots Referee course, when do I get games?

Congratulations! Please register as a referee on the BAYS website: https://bays.org/content/referee-application-create-referee-account. Then apply to work in Dover Sherborn.

Tell me about continued referee mentoring after I am certified for BAYS games.

The Club invests in continued referee education and development by running an in-house mentoring program with Jeff Chambers and Janet Garage mentoring our certified referees on game days. Once certified, Mass Ref also offer the service of on-field external mentors for a game. If you choose to schedule a mentor through Mass Ref, please let the Club referee assignor know so one of the Club mentors is not also assign to the game.

Tell me out in-town referee training.

We have a number of younger trainee referees age 13 or younger who continue their training under the guidance of mentors at our Grade 2 intramural small sided games on Saturdays. We run an initial training session for trainee referees in a few weeks before the start of the spring and fall seasons. Please contact Amy Davis at [email protected] for details. Trainee referees are paid a training stipend of $20 per game. A check is mailed from the Club at the end of the season.

There are high school age mentors helping the trainee referees in their on field training at the Grade 2 games on Saturdays. These high school ref mentors are coached by our MA Youth Soccer ref mentors, Jeff Chambers and Janet Gargan. To work as a ref mentor, please email [email protected] for more information. Please note that working as a high school ref mentor at the Grade 2 games should not take precedence over referee work and to be paid for mentoring, one has to work as many BAYS games as mentor sessions over the season.

 

How are games assigned?

The referee assignor assigns the games via the BAYS system. You will receive an email and have the choice to confirm or decline a game. If you confirm it, you are expected to work that game. Many players, coaches, and their families depend on your reliability. No-shows are unacceptable and, if repeated, will result in you not being able to work for the Club.

How do I get the necessary Referee equipment?

The Club purchases your first uniform and set of equipment for you, including a watch, whistle, wallet, and flags. You may purchase replacement referee uniform and equipment at Score Sports (https://scoresports.com/officials/soccer.html) or The Natick Outdoor Store. Any questions can be answered by the Assignor at [email protected].

 

How do I get paid?

For every game worked you will need to fill out a game report on the BAYS website. BAYS send checks via direct deposit three times per season.

The Club pays a frequency bonus. Ten games worked = $100; 15 games = $150; 20 = $200.

Also, all referees who work as a referee in their busy high school senior year will receive a $300 (minimum 5 games) scholarship check.

Dover Sherborn Soccer Club is happy to write references for our referees for National Honor Society, college applications, and/or job applications.

What are the requirements for recertification?

Each winter you will need to re-certify for the subsequent year. Instructions on how to re-certify can be found here.