how to become a referee

Registration for the Ontario Soccer 2024 match official clinics will soon be open. Refereeing soccer is a flexible and well-paying part-time job, and it is a great way to develop leadership and life skills.  To learn more about the referee courses and the benefits of being a match official, see the links below.

Ontario Soccer offers two referee courses. 

1. Small sided course

• You need to be 12 years old or older before April 1, 2024, to take the course.
• It will allow you to referee small-sided games (U9 and U10 level)
• The fee for the course is $110

1. Entry-level course

• You need to be 14 years old or older before April 1, 2024, to take the course.
• Will allow you to referee regulation 9 v 9 and 11 v 11 games (U11+)
• The fee for the course is $135 

Upon successful completion of the course(s) and a commitment to referee with the club  for a  minimum of 10 games during the season, course fees will be re-imbursed.

Both courses are delivered via a hybrid of self-guided online modules, online live webinars, and in-person on-field practical training.  The self-guided modules can be worked on at the student’s own pace and there is flexibility for the dates of webinars and the practical session.  The webinars will be offered between February and June.  Note- our club will be hosting a practical session at Cowan Park  in the spring…………. For more information on the referee courses and to register, visit the Ontario Soccer referee clinics webpage and read through the Student User Guide. 

Registration for all referee courses is now being done through the Ontario Soccer website and through Refcentre.  Instructions for registering are in the Ontario Soccer student user guide.  Once you have completed the course, contact Garfield McFarlane, the Director of Referees to receive instructions about registering as a referee with our club.