Things new Northwest Soccer Officials Referees should knowPrintable

All new Referees with Northwest Soccer Officials should be aware of several procedural things, which are described in the following paragraphs.

Privacy Agreement
Access to your biographical data is secure. The data is behind a firewall; on a separate server. when we transmit sensitive data over the INTERNET we use 128 SSL encryption. Access to the data on the INTERNET is LIMITED to a need to know basis. Logged on users have limited access to your information as the amount is controlled by you. Logon is controlled using SSL encryption and requires a password known only to you, keep it secure and not easily guessed. As a user of the system you agree to not use this information for other than personal use, if you should have access to it. Assignors and other administrative personal are strictly prohibited by USSF from sharing this information without your permission. If you have any concerns PLEASE ask.
Youth
Youth games are where most referees start that are new to Northwest Soccer Officials. Player's ages range from U11 to U19. Levels of play are recreational through competative play.
Tournament
Several youth tournaments are held during the year, starting in April and ending the last week-end in August. WSYSA hosts three tournaments currently, President's Cup (Recreational) in November, December. Commissioner's Cup (more competitive than President's Cup), Challenge Cup, and the Championship Cup, which is very competitive. Both start in January, end in March. Watch the site for information.
USSF Registration Year
Referee registration is based on the calendar year, January 1, through December 31 annually. Once you have completed an Entry Level Clinic, passed the test, paid the registration; you are now eligible to referee. Registration is completed once your have handed your registration fee and form to the State Referee Administrator (SRC) or an Area Referee Administrator (ARA). To update this information on the Northwest Soccer Officials side, log on, click on inquiry, then State Referee Committee, this links you to the Washington State Referee Committee where the most current registration information is stored. This will allow you to update your profile.
School
For the experienced official, new to Northwest Soccer Officials, school games may be available. Boys play in the Spring, girls in the Fall. Smaller schools (1 A/B) boys and girls play in the Fall. We also have a variety of middle school games throughout the Winter months. To referee school games, you must be a registered WOA official (Washington Officials Association) There is a membership fee required, as well as attendance at an annual rules meeting and taking a written test. A seperate RISK MANAGEMENT form is required also.
Adult
For the experienced referee, new to Northwest Soccer Officials, adult games maybe available. These are generally year round, include mens and womens game. Range in level of play from recreational to competitive recreational. Typically only referees with a few years experience will do these games. Games range from Open, to Over 30, Over 40 and over 50. Northwest Soccer Officials assigns two Hispanic leagues, both of which are very competitive.
Self-Assignment.
A self-service method of assigning that is designed for the convenience of referees to build their own game schedule. For us to collect availability and then contact referees individually is time consuming considering the number of games to be assigned. You know your schedule best and this provides you the status of independent contractor. We establish rules which assist in allowing an equal distribution of games and insure you are assigned to the correct level of the game.
Turn-back
This is the process of adjusting your schedule during the season. Using it for other purposes may result in of Self-Assign privileges. For all games assigned to you, you will see the BLACK-, which is an action icon for initiating a turn-back.
Risk Management
A Washington State RCW (law) requiring a background check is required of all officials (regardless of age) when working with youth players. This not only applies to referees but to coaches, managers, trainers and "team Mom or Dad". You can initiate the process by completing the Web Form. Northwest Soccer Officials requires all referees to complete the background check to officiate any matches.Going
Membership
South King County Soccer Referees Association is a non-profit with Washington State. Members vote on the budget and elected officers of the board. Members can self-assign most games posted to the site. Non-members may not self-assign, high school, FW Parks or WSWSA games.

 

Our youth assignors determine who may or may not self-assign.

Independent Contractor
United State Soccer Federation defines referees as Independent Contractors and Northwest Soccer Officials does everything we can to insure the IRS will treat you as one. This includes the fact that you bill us, by filing a match report, for your service. This is a huge financial benefit to you as it allows you to write-off your uniform and equipment costs as well as travel and lodging, thereby reducing your tax obligation. As such you will receive a 1099 if you earn more that $600 from Northwest Soccer Officials.
Payment for Services
Northwest Soccer Officials pays monthly for all leagues/clubs that pay timely. Northwest Soccer Officials is not able to pay the referee for their services until the client has paid Northwest Soccer Officials.

 

High school and Middle School games are paid at the end of the season after the finals, usually in December and June respectively.

Northwest Soccer Officials only pays through electronic payment. You must enter your banking information in your profile in order to receive payment.

Misconducts
Our misconduct system is close to being fully automated and, when accepted, it will electronically transmit your report to the appropriate Disciplinary authority automatically. In some cases the disciplinary authority will only accept paper copies and you can print these from the site. WHEN you issue a Red Card you are required to file the report within 48 hours. In the adult game, if you issue a red card, you are required to keep the player's ID card and send to the correct league with the written report.

 

High school reports are handled differently. Your high school assignor will assist you.

WHAT NEXT?
Match Inquiry
Once you get a ranking you will see the Green+ symbol on assignments. Clicking on these will initiate the rules and if you pass you will be given the opportunity to accept this match. ACCEPTANCE is a contract between you and us and subject to financial penalties for non-fulfillment.
Do the game!
This is where the fun begins, go referee a game!
File a MatchReport for each completed Assignment
To do this, click to Referee: Match Report, enter the Match number and click Retrieve. Provide the requested information about the completion of the Match and click Save.
Contact the Assignor(s)
To use Self-assignment you must be ranked by the assignor(s) for each league. Provide as much detail to the assignor(s) as possible. Information about you will assist them in giving you a ranking. Assignor(s) want you to be successful.
After the game
You may have league paperwork to mail into an office, you definitely have a match report to file or you will not be paid. You may have a misconduct report to complete. If you are new to misconducts or are having a problem writing one, contact your assignor for help.
PHEW!
WELCOME! As our sport grows it is critical that those who love it, support it in all of its facts. Players play, coaches coach, parents cheer, brothers and sister tag along! It is equally important that we REFEREE. You are a very important part of this game!

 

Northwest Soccer Officials provides opportunities for monthly training at their meetings and other opportunities for growth as an individual. We must learn more about the game.

See you on the pitch!