Soccer referee clinics coming up

A Grade 9 clinic for beginning youth soccer referees will be held Monday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Summit Fitness Center in Kalispell. Grade 9 officials can center small-sided fall recreational games, and can be assistant referees (ARs) on spring competitive matches up to U-14.

On Aug. 18-19, a Grade 8 clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at The Summit. These refs will be able to center and AR higher age groups, according to their experience and comfort level.

Another Grade 8 clinic will be offered at Bigfork High School from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 25-26. Current referees wishing to recertify are welcome to take the test either weekend.

For first-time referees, there is no cost to attend a clinic, and all certified referees are covered by liability insurance. In Kalispell last year, Grade 9 referees received $8 for each rec match they officiated, paid in cash that same day. The compensation for Grade 8 center refs varies by the age level: $20 for a 6th-grade match, $25 for an 8th-grade match, and $35 for a game involving high school players.

Certified referees are not required to officiate a minimum number of matches during the season. Refs need not have a complete uniform when they work their very first match, and usually working three to four games will pay for a uniform package.

Each Select competitive team is required to have two certified referees affiliated with that team. Coaches and players receive only partial credit (since they have conflicts just when refs are needed), so parents, grandparents and siblings are encouraged to consider officiating.

Nationwide, we must replace 40 percent of our referee pool every year. Please pass along this information to anyone you feel could help keep Montana Youth Soccer safe, fair and enjoyable.

Questions can be directed to referee trainer Dave Himsl at 752-7793 evenings or email at himslfam@mtdig.net.