The game of soccer continues to grow in Louisiana creating a constant need for committed, knowledgeable and well-trained referees. Quality referees are an essential part of player development. Becoming a referee is also an opportunity to earn a decent wage and all while maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making life-long friends.

Referees and the laws of the game are administered through FIFA and US Soccer. Louisiana Soccer Association (LSA) appoints a State Referee Committee (SRC) to administer referee recruitment, education, registration and assignment across the state, but both LSA and its SRC simply act as the local arm of US Soccer.

A referee’s journey begins at the Grassroots level. U.S. Soccer Grassroots Referees are qualified to officiate competitive, small-sided or recreational youth matches and amateur adult matches. The U.S. Soccer Grassroots License has both an online and in-person component. Grassroots Referees will register for courses and be certified through State Referee Committees.

The Grassroots Referee Course will be found in the new U.S. Soccer Learning Center. The Learning Center will serve as a new one-stop shop for referees. In the Learning Center, all referees will have access to supplemental educational resources, their registration history and support from the U.S. Soccer Referee Department. The centralized platform will improve connectivity and collaboration between referees, State Referee Committees and U.S. Soccer.

Visit: http://www.playlouisianasoccer.org/referees/how_to_become_a_soccer_referee_in_la/ to start the online part now.