Information For New Referees

Welcome to the Fayette County Youth Soccer League’s referee corps. Here are some of our basic policies and procedures, and some of our expectations of our referees. I hope you will have a good experience refereeing with us and continue to referee for several years to come.

PAY

Since this is the reason many people referee, I’ll start with the pay structure.

Referees are paid by cash each week. Payments are made at either concession stand, depending on where your first game is. You may collect your pay any time on the weekend, before or after you have refereed. You must provide a picture ID and sign the sheet provided when you collect your money.

FCYSL requires all of our referees to submit an IRS W9 form before we will pay them. For more information on this, click HERE.

GAME ASSIGNMENTS

Get on the FCYSL Referee List by filling out the form here.

On Wednesday or Thursday of each week, I send out an email to all referees for whom I have an address with the schedule for the following week. Based on the schedule, email me at bgmcd@earthlink.net with your availability. This needs to be done by Saturday evening. On Sunday morning I begin assigning games based on availability sent to me. Assignments are then sent out on Sunday or Monday night. If you don't receive an email by Wednesday, you probably have not been assigned any games.

Please check your availability carefully. Last minute cancellations are not appreciated.

New referees usually start as assistant referees on younger games. The rate at which you move up to older games depends on the level of proficiency you show and your willingness to advance. It is often not until his second season before a new referee is allowed to start doing middles, but this again is subject to the job the referee does.

Once you have been booked for a game you will be paid for it unless the league cancels the games because of weather or you are assigned to another game at the same time slot. If you are reassigned to a game which pays less, you will be paid the amount of your original fee.

Failure to show up for your game will result in a loss of your game fee. You will also be fined the equivalent of what your game fee would have been if a replacement is not found to do the game.

If you are late for your game and another referee is available to do it, he will be paid and you will lose your game fee. If you know in advance that you may have a tough time getting to your game early, let me know by Friday. We can then hold the game for you or get someone to start it without you losing any money.

GAME DAY

You are expected to be at the field at least 30 minutes before your game. This time is necessary for you to cover a pregame talk and to check the players’ equipment. We strive to keep our fields running on time. Do not allow yourself to be the cause of delays.

We expect all of our referees to be in proper uniform. Your socks are to be pulled up just below your knees, your shirt is to be tucked in your shorts. I would advise reading the Georgia Policy on Referee Uniforms. Referees who are improperly dressed will be fined $10.00 for each game in which they appear that way.

On very cold days, assistant referees may wear black warm up pants. The referee is still expected to wear shorts. If you do not have a long sleeved referee shirt, you may wear a black long sleeved t-shirt underneath your shirt.

If you play for a Lightning team and are working a game for another Lightning team do not take a Lightning bag, jacket or anything with the Lightning logo or colors with you to the field.

RAINOUTS

On rainy days, the fields are checked at 7:00 am. If all games are called off for the day, I will call referees for the earliest games only. Call the league number - (770) 460-7811 - if you have a game that starts after 9:00 AM

You will not be paid for games that are rained out.

PROBLEMS

If you have problems with a coach or parent be sure to report it. If the problem is immediate, get a member of the league’s board to help. There is usually one at or near the concession stand.

It is sometimes advisable to go to the meeting room simply to cool off and get away from the parent or coach.

If the problem is not immediate, contact me as soon as you can. In either case, a written report will be required. Once we receive the report, the problem will be dealt with at the appropriate level.

Hopefully, you will enjoy refereeing with the league. If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to email me.



Bryan McDermott
Referee Coordinator