Question Number: 17743

League Specific 11/7/2007

RE: Select Under 19

chris of Fair Oaks, CA USA asks...

I am sitting on a PAD as an evaluator next week. One of the issues is the referee age. An 11 yr old refing a U10 Select game. I have been told that refs should not be younger than 12 (U14) and that it may be required next year that they be 14 (U16). Is there anything in writing on this or is it just up to each induvidual youth league.
Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It is up to each individual youth league. They can make the USSF requirements stricter, but not looser. The USSF requirements for age on a game don't exist. If you are certified for the level game you wish to do, your age doesn't enter into it. Personally, I think it is a mistake to restrict what games a referee may do based on age. You may have a 10 or 11 year old referee who has 3 years of experience - and who may be a much better referee than the brand new adult with zero soccer experience. Having said that, the one thing that recommends the adult on such games over a child is the probable ability of the adult to deal with the nasty behavior of parents and coaches on such games over the prospect of a child having to deal with angry adults shouting and screaming at them.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You should look at your state child labor laws. My assignor has run up against the fact that in Michigan a sports official younger than 14 must have an adult supervisor present. That effectively eliminates the 12 and 13 year old referees from working a U8 game alone. They can only get U12 lines - and then only when there is an adult in the center, not a teenager.