Services

Instructions for RefPay Setup
Recruiting. An "open book" is kept for all interested in soccer refereeing to sign up during the year. A newsletter announcing the annual referee course is sent out every January to everyone signed up. It is also sent to AYSO Regional Referee Administrators, to WMYSA Community Reps, to HS Athletic Directors, and to Kalamazoo Area Soccer Council members.
Training. Candidates are trained in February/March in five classroom sessions of three hours each, and in April in a 2-hour field instruction, closing with a physical and written test. WMSRA has three licensed instructors to provide this training.
Certification. After passing both tests, referees are registered with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF); adults only may register in May with the Michigan High School Association (MHSAA), and after some refereeing experience with the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA).
In-Service Training. USSF requires five hours of in-service training and retesting every year for recertification; grade-6 referees (see below) also must referee at least six games/year in the top amateur division and pass one assessment to be recertified as State Referees.
Evaluations, Assessments and Upgrading. Referees are evaluated (on request) to monitor their progress. For upgrading from level-2 (grade 8) to level-1 (grade 7) or to State Referee (grade 6), they are assessed in senior games after passing they must also document 75 games (and another 25 senior games for State Referees) and pass more stringent physical and written tests before being promoted. WMSRA has three licensed assessors to administer assessments.
Recertification. Referees are recertified annually after documenting five hours of in-service training and passing a physical and written test (State Referees also must document at least six games in the top amateur league and pass an annual assessment).
Assigning. We are assigning (through our USSF and MHSAA certified assignors) referees for USSF leagues (WMYSA, KASL, Premier League, Super-Y League and WMSL) and about 30 High Schools. In 2003 we had about 2000 games, of which about 40% were high school games.
Representations. One WMSRA board member is the permanent referee coordinator for WMYSA (West Michigan Youth Soccer Association) and KASC (Kalamazoo Area Soccer Council); we are also available for KASL, WMSL, and the three high school conferences Big-16, KVA and Wolverines.
Speakers' Pool. The president maintains a list of experienced referees, instructors and assessors who have volunteered to talk about soccer rules and their interpretation to players, coaches, parents and others.
Mentoring. We have started a mentoring system to help new referees. The graduates from next spring's beginners course will be matched up with experienced referees.