skip navigation

Getting Started As An Apprentice Referee

Thank you for your interest in refereeing with Snoqualmie Valley Soccer Association (SnVYSA)!  Refereeing youth soccer is a great experience and SnVYSA's goal is to provide opportunities for young players and community members to get involved in refereeing at an early age.

In 2024, SnVYSA introduced a new referee apprentice program that is targeted at 10-12 year old's who are too young to meet the age requirements to become a licensed grassroots referee.

Requirements

  • Age: Individuals interested in becoming a referee apprentice  must be at least 10 years of age and no older than 12 years of age at the time of registration.
  • Age groups to referee: A referee apprentice may only referee U6-U8 age group games.
  • Registration: Must register as a referee apprentice with SnVYSA.
  • Training: Must attend referee apprentice training in August.
  • Game Commitment: Must commit to referee a minimum of 5 games for the season. Games are weekdays M-Th at 5:30pm in the Snoqualmie Valley.
  • Game Assignment: Must create an Arbiter account and self assign to U6-U8 games to referee.  Score must be entered to be paid.
  • Mentor: Mentors will attend some games to provide feedback, and be the point of contact for questions during the season.

Training

In order for an individual to become a  referee apprentice, they must attend an annual in person field training (1-2hrs).

The training will cover the following:

  • U6-U8 rules of the game
  • Logistics of how to referee a U6-U8 game (field positioning, whistle management, time keeping, when to call fouls, control of game).
  • Training dates for 2026: Date/Time TBD, Location: Fall City Elementary-Undercover Shelter by playground.

Pay

  • Referee Apprentice's will be paid at a rate of $25 per game. 
  • A Bonus of $100 will be given after refereeing 10 or more games.

Get Started

Outlined below are the initial steps to getting started as a referee apprentice. Please follow each step below by clicking on the bolded hyperlinks.
  • Step1: Register with SnVYSA to be a referee apprentice. 
  • Step 2: Complete a W-9 form and ADP form and submit scanned copies to SnVYSA treasurer at treasurer@snvysa.org. You can also mail them to SnVYSA, P.O. Box 1435, North Bend, WA.  98045. Attn: Treasurer
  • Step 3: SnVYSA Referee Manager will send you an invite to set up an Arbiter Account in late August.
  • Step 4: SnVYSA Referee Manager will provide you details on the in person field training.

Referee Training Required Pre-Reading

Please read the rules prior to  the training and come to the training with your questions.  Click HERE for the U6-U8 Soccer Rule Handbook.

Questions?

Braxton Allport

Braxton Allport

Referee Manager