Description of Program
The Spring Lake Sports League (SLSL) Referee and Umpire program allows teenagers
who live in District 103 the opportunity to be employed by SLSL and to referee
and umpire for house league and travel games.You must be at least 14 years
old to participate and must attend mandatory training clinics. Once hired,
you are assigned games to referee and umpire and depending on the sport, assist
in the development of the players on the playing field. You control the game
and learn leadership and responsibility. This is a great first job and the
hours can work around your existing activities.
Philosophy of Program
To present an opportunity for District 103 kids who have advanced beyond
the age group of SLSL sports to be involved as referees and umpires. To give
the kids the opportunity to have their first job, learn real job skills and
lessons while being responsible and learning to be leaders. To take the program
full circle, first we teach our kids to play, then we teach our kids to referee
and umpire, ultimately they can go on to coach.
Age Requirements
You must be at least 14 years old by the first day of games for the sport
you will be refereeing or umpiring. You may attend the training clinics before
you are 14 as long as you turn 14 before the season begins. If you are age
14 or 15, you will be required to obtain a work permit from your school.
This is discussed at the clinic and the information needed to obtain the permit
is distributed at the clinic.
Needs for Each Sport
Each year, training clinics are held for Soccer, Basketball and Baseball
to hire Level 1 referees and umpires. We target an approximate number of
Level 1 kids for each sport. If excessive numbers of kids show up for the
clinic, the clinic becomes a training and try-out. Level 1 referees or umpires
will then be selected based on performance at the clinic. Once you are a
referee or umpire for a particular sport in SLSL, you advance to the next
level each year at the discretion of the Director. Generally, advancement
requires you to have done a minimum of 5 games as a leveled referee or umpire
and to have shown the Director of the program that you have gained a level
of experience that allows you to advance.
There are 4 levels of referees and umpires. If you start working in 8th
grade, you should attain Level 4 during your Junior year in High School. You would then remain at Level 4 for your Senior year and also if you continue
to do games during your college years.
As you advance in levels, you become eligible to referee or umpire more advance
grades of games. You also take on a leadership role at the game when there
are younger referees or umpires working with you.
Uniforms
Uniforms are required for referees and umpires and will be discussed at the clinics.
Contact Information
For information on soccer referee opportunities, contact Patti at
Patti@slsl.net
For information on basketball referee opportunities, contact Chris at
ChrisH@slsl.net
Links to get further Certification
Soccer is the only sport allowing certification under the age of 18. Go to www.iysa.org
- on the left-hand side click on referee under the programs listing. Then scroll
down and click on referee clinics. If you have never been certified before, you
are looking for a Clinic Type of either Entry Only or Entry/Recertification for
a Grade 8 Referee. These clinics are a full weekend long, all day Saturday and all day Sunday and cost approximately $60.
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Referee & Umpire Program
