REFEREES
Referee Information
Registration to work as a referee for the current soccer season is open.
The Great Falls Reston Referee Program assigns for:
• National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) – Travel Program (U9 - U12)
• National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) – Recreation Program (U11 - U19)
• United Soccer League (USL Y) – formerly Super Y League – Travel Program (U11 - U18)
• GFR Recreation (House) – Recreation Program (U9, U9/10, U10)
New Referees
To work for the Great Falls Reston Referee Program, you must be 13 years or older.
Click on REFEREE INSTRUCTIONS to learn more about the process to to begin the training.
Alternatively, you can visit the Metro DC-Virginia State Referee Program website at www.vadcsoccerref.com, click on the Become A Referee tab to first read and then follow the instructions to register – please read the instructions carefully.
Click on the Clinics List tab to find an available course (our area is North; type is Entry - Never been a USSF Referee before). This is a combination course of online modules and a field training session, and you must complete all modules and attend the field training session to certify.
At least one field training session will be offered in Great Falls/Reston in February/March (for the Spring season) and in August (for the Fall season). If these sessions fit your schedule, you are encouraged to attend, as there you will be able to meet the Referee Assignor and some of the Referee Mentors. If your schedule does not allow you to attend in Great Falls/Reston, or a different field training session would suit better from a location aspect, you are free to sign up for that location, and still work for the Great Falls Reston SC Referee Program.
Once you have completed the online instruction modules, successfully passed the test, and attended the field training session, you are ready to be a game official. You will need to contact our Referee Assignor at scrassignor@gmail.com to obtain details on how to register in the GFRSC Referee Program’s database, so that you can start receiving communications from the Referee Assignor, as well as indicate your interest in and availability to work games.
To be considered for assignment to games through the Great Falls Reston Referee Program, you are required to have the correct uniform and equipment. This includes – black shorts, black socks with 2 white stripes, black shoes, a yellow referee jersey, a set of flags, a referee data wallet with yellow and red cards, game report forms, a whistle and a watch with a stop-watch function. A good source of these items is Official Sports International (OSI) at www.officialsports.com - search "Starter Kits". Also, you should have a back-up, plain black t-shirt (Michael’s sells these) in case of a color conflict with a visiting team’s jersey.
Current Referees
Recertification as a USSF Referee is required each calendar year. Your first step is to visit the Metro DC-Virginia State Referee Program website at www.vadcsoccerref.com, click on the Current Referee tab to first read and then follow the instructions to register – please read the instructions carefully.
Click on the Clinics List tab to find an available course (our area is North; type is Existing Grassroots / Emeritus Referee wishing to recertify). This is again a course of online modules, and you must complete all modules to certify.
Once you have completed the online instruction modules, successfully passed the test, you are ready to contact the Club’s Referee Assignor at scrassignor@gmail.com with your availability for assignments.
Mentor Program
The Great Falls Reston SC Referee Program’s mentors are a key aspect of the GFRSC Referee Program. Mentors are at the fields on game days to offer advice and support to all our officials.
In addition, prior to each season (Spring and Fall), the Program holds a pre-season meeting at a venue in Great Falls/Reston. All the Program’s referees are expected to attend, especially newly-certified officials.
Occasionally, post-season “wrap-up” meeting is usually held during the first week of December, and during the last week of June.
Contact Us
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Ian Winstanley: scrassignor@gmail.com-- Referee Assignor and Director of Referees, Great Falls Reston Referee Program.
Click here to see a list of Frequently-Asked Questions.
