Become an Adult Referee!

First, register as a volunteer with AYSO (wssl.org / Player / Player & Volunteer Registration) and, for adults, complete the annual background check.  The background check is only required for persons 18 years of age and older, however volunteer registration is required for all volunteers. Volunteer registration is different from Player registration, so all teen referees must complete the Volunteer registration.

Make sure to volunteer as a Referee (check box) and you can select the division(s) that you would like to referee in.

• Login to WSSL and go to “Player and Volunteer Registration“
• Complete the “User Accounts and Volunteer Registration” for MY2021
• Once registration is completed and submitted, be on the lookout for an email from “Verified/Sterling Volunteers.” Follow the instructions in this message. It often goes to junk/spam, so be on the lookout there, too.  Your background check and AYSO registration will not be initiated until you complete the steps listed in the email message. 

Register for all in-person and online courses by logging in to eTrainU, our training website:

From any inLeague page, look for the eTrainU Graduation Cap Icon on the top-right. Click on that icon, and then click on the Login to eTrainU button on the next page. There are no separate credentials; you log in to inLeague first and then go to eTrainU from there.

Courses required of all volunteers:

• AYSO’s Safe Haven – outlines the important elements around protecting our children and volunteers
• CDC HEADS UP Concussion Training – understanding the signs and required actions for concussions
• SafeSport - this is a new requirement for adult volunteers as of 2022.  Unlike Safe Haven, this is an annual requirement.  Please visit SafeSport for more information and instructions on taking the class.

If you haven't taken the online Safe Haven or Concussion Awareness since 2011, login to eTrainU and complete these online.  You can find them by clicking on the “Training Library” link and browsing the courses in the Safe Haven category.

Register for Referee training courses

If you have children in the 6U, 7U, or 8U age groups or wish to officiate in these age groups, please register for the 8U Official - Full In-Person Course:

• Go to eTrainU.  Click on "Training Event".
• A calendar will appear.  The courses will be filtered for Region 611 (WSSL) so go to May 10th and click on West Side Soccer League 8U Referee Course. Click on the Enroll button on the 8U Official course that appears.

If you have children in the 9U and older age groups, or wish to officiate in these age groups, you will need to complete a Regional Referee - Full In-Person Course. There are two routes to becoming eligible to take this class:

1) Complete the 8U Official course (above); or,

2) Complete the "Regional Referee - Online + In-Person Companion Course (2 Part Bundle)" online class:

• Go to eTrainU. Click on Training Library, then Refereeing:View Courses. 
• Select the Regional Referee - Online + In-Person Companion Course (2 Part Bundle)
• Complete the online modules and exam, which makes you eligible for the "Regional Referee - In-Person Companion Course" 

Once you are eligible:

• Click on "Training Event".
• A calendar will appear.  The courses will be filtered for Region 611 (WSSL) so go to May 12th and click on West Side Soccer League Regional Referee Course. Click on the Enroll button on the Regional Referee course that appears.

Once you attend the class and pass the exam, you are now a certified soccer referee. We will give you a uniform and kit for free: Send an email to Uniforms.WSSL@gmail.com including your name and shirt size (Youth, Adult Small, Medium, Large, XL or 2XL) and cut (Men's style or Women's style), and your preferred pick up location (West 79th Street or West 152nd Street, or at 101st Street & Riverside soccer field).

Please email your Division Chief Referee (see below) or stan.ince@gmail.com with any questions.

Other stuff worth knowing:

Division Chief Referees
Referee Leadership Team

Division Chief Referees

The Chief Referees in each division should be your first point of contact about rules and the practical aspects of refereeing. Please use this website to look for information but if you cannot find what you need, please contact your chief referee if you have questions about:

• refereeing in your division,
• how to schedule yourself for games,
• becoming a referee,
• the Laws of the Game,
• requesting mentoring,
• anything else about referees and their responsibilities.

If you are not sure which Division your child is in, or if you are trying to reach your division's Chief Referee, you can check under DIVISIONS.

We have a manual for the division Chief Referees. To view it, please click here: Chief Referee Manual.