Welcome to the NEW! Referee Mentor Program! Fall 2025
The AYSO National Referee Program has developed the Referee Mentor Program as a level of support to give a helping hand to new and less experienced referees, youth referees, anxious referees, and referees looking to upgrade their badge level.
This program is open to ALL REGISTERED REFEREES as a means of support and team-building.
Experience has proven that mentoring is a significant and valuable aspect to referee development. An integral part of this program is providing advice and support to Referees to help them improve individual performance and maintain the highest standards of officiating performance throughout AYSO.
Why should you get mentoring?
- You don't know what you don't know. Referees tend to develop habits that work for a U10 match that don't necessarily get the same message across in a U12 or U14 match. Mentoring allows you to translate your habits to fit different age levels.
- Improve your mechanics and decision-making skills. Believe it or not, many instances of referee abuse is due to the result of referees not having proper angles, being in the right position, or not signaling professionally and confidently. A mentor would be able to pinpoint and correct those habits for a more favorable outcome.
- Referee at the Intermediate level. If you're a Regional Referee, then a mentor will help you officiate games at the Intermediate level. This will help you gain more confidence in yourself, and you'll already be in that Intermediate mindset when you upgrade your badge level.
- Pre-assessment or observation feedback. You don't take a test without studying first. You shouldn't do that same with a referee assessment or observation. A mentor can give do a reassessment or observation and offer you feedback before your actual event. This is a major resource!
- Be apart of a referee group that share common interests. Many referees have many different battle stories they love to share. Being apart of this program allows you to hear other referees' backgrounds and how they came to where they are!
- You are new to refereeing. Everyone has to start somewhere! Before this mentor program, referees would come out of class and get thrown into a match and hope they do well. With this program, that won't be the case. Having someone there by your side who is experienced and has gone through the same process as you makes this experience feel much easier.
How does the mentoring process work?
Referee Mentors are referees who have an Intermediate Referee Certificate and above. They are all trained by the Director of Referee Mentors and are uniform in their mentoring, as prescribed in the Referee Mentor Handbook. Here is the process:
You put in a request for a referee mentor
A Referee Mentor will reach out to you regarding how you would like to be mentored
Sign up for a match and receive mentoring!
After the match, receive feedback from your mentor. All feedback is only between you and your mentor.
If you would like to continue mentoring or would like to request a new mentor, email [email protected]
Who is Mentoring for?
The Referee Mentor Program is available to ALL REGISTERED REFEREES. Meaning, if you have a referee certificate and badge, you are eligible for mentoring. However, those who are not yet referees and want to become one, we can absolutely help you through that process as well!
New Referees
Experienced Referees
Youth Referees
Anxious Referees
Upgrade-Seeking Referees
ALL other Referees!
***NEW REFEREES SPRING 2025 & FALL 2025***
New Referees who received their referee certificate for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 will automatically be enrolled in the Referee Mentor Program and will be assigned a mentor. You will receive an email from [email protected] with more information.
How can I enroll to get mentoring?
How Can I Become a Mentor?
We are currently looking for qualified Referee Mentors!
ID Badges
As a mentor, you’ll get some cool swag to show off your role. I’m rolling out shirts, backpacks, lanyard & ID Badges, and hats all exclusively for Referee Mentors.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a region-paid Ken Aston Camp to further increase your knowledge of the Laws of the Game and upgrade your badge or explore another referee track.
If you earn your Mentor Certification from AYSO, you’ll also get to earn referee points for your team for each full match you mentor. As a mentor, you’re part of a special group of referees. The goal of this program is to work together and share what works and what doesn’t.
If you meet the qualifications (see flyer below) and would like to join, please email [email protected]. Thank you for helping out!