Rec Ref Program

Recreational Referee Program

The Cedar Valley Soccer Club and the Cedar Valley Soccer Officials Association are introducing a Recreational Referee program for 2026.

This new program is designed primarily for players on youth competitive teams. We will build on their knowledge of the game and prepare them to referee recreational games for the U9 and U11 players.

Why? There are not enough referees. This is a great way for kids to get a taste of refereeing for the youngest players in the recreational environment. The Iowa Soccer Association has been running this program for four years and has recruited over 800 officials!

Participation in the program is for a two year period only. Recreational officials have the following training pathway:

1. 4 v 4 Referee Training: practical training preparing a new official to work U8 matches.

2. 7 v 7 Assistant Referee: practical training on assisting with offside decisions and boundary decisions, preparing the official to be an assistant referee at U11 matches.

3. 7 v 7 Referee: A third sessions preparing participants to take charge of a U11 match as the lead official, coordinating with assistants to manage a game.

The referees are only trained to officiate these beginning levels of play, but these are the levels where most officials start. The Recreational Referee program will provide tailored training and a stepped qualification pathway. 

As the referees build their skills and become comfortable working these games, they should consider the next step: the USSF First Time Referee course.  This is where they will learn the full Laws of The Game and be trained and qualified to work games with the older age players. (The Recreational Referee program is not appropriate for officials who already have a USSF certification.)

The CVSOA Recreational Referee Clinics are FREE for the referees and are funded by the Cedar Valley Soccer Club. Referees will get a T-Shirt, whistle, and watch so they are ready to step on the field. To support these new officials, there will be an adult Mentor at the fields where they are assigned. For now, referees in this program will only be able to work at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex, where there are mentors.