WMYSA contracts with two regional referee associations for our Select matches. Southwest Michigan Soccer Referee Association (SWMSRA) officiates matches in Van Buren, Berrien and Cass County, West Michigan Soccer Referee Association (WMSRA) officiates matches in St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Allegan, Calhoun & Branch County, Elite matches are officiated by one of three referee associations. SWMSRA, WMSRA and Grand Valley Soccer Officials Association (GVSOA).
WMYSA pays the referee assignment fees for all home games directly to the referee associations assignor. Assignment fees are built into the team fees charged by WMYSA.
WMYSA encourages its clubs to try and help recruit officials for your area. This will ensure greater flexibility in scheduling of games
Classes to become/recertify as an Official USSF Referee
West Michigan Soccer Referee Association
Southwest Michigan Soccer Referee Association
WMYSA Referee FAQ’s
- Game match reports must be submitted with in 24 hours, by scanning the QR Code on the top right corner of the Match Card.
- When a referee shows to the fields and the team(s) do not show up, the referee(s) shall fill out the following form for submission to WMYSA to verify any payment due: Referee Payment.
- Each home team is responsible for specific game referee fees as shown below. In U11 and older games if one of the officials does not show up for the game, the other officials are not entitled to the extra pay. If only one official shows up they are entitled to the additional fee as described below.
- If a game is terminated for weather, the field is deemed unplayable by the referee or the site manager, or other reason the game cannot be played after the referee arrives at field the referee is entitled to full pay.
- Before every game, both coaches shall provide the referee with a current WMYSA official roster and game sheet indicting the team lineup and providing for referee reporting and player pass cards.
- The referee must check player pass cards (PPC) against the official team roster. With the exception of those players being utilized under the Pass Card System (PCS), players not listed on the official team roster will not be allowed to play.
- Each coach utilizing players under the PCS must inform the opposing team and present the player’s PPC to the referees and ensure they have hand written the PCS players name and DOB on the game day game card.
- Maximum number of player passes used is 5 per game (Elite Division is restricted to 3 passes per game), and participating players count cannot exceed roster limits
- Players without pass cards may not play. Special Note: Any player included on the game sheet under the Pass Card System MUST have their primary player card or an electronic photo of PPC in order to play. Any player listed on the WMYSA Official Roster without a pass card must provide their name, signature, and date of birth on the back of the game sheet.
Entering Matches into GotSport
- At conclusion of each match the Referee is responsible to enter Match Results in GotSport using their Mobile device
- New Procedure will take an average of 2 minutes to complete.
- If the Referee does not have a Mobile Device, they can request assistance from the Winning Team (Home team if result is a tie)
- Using Mobile device scan the QR code on the top of either Match Card.
- QR Codes are specific to each Match Number to expedite procedure.
- Review this training video for complete instructions: WMYSA Referee Match Reporting Procedure
- After the acquiring signatures from both teams on both Home and Away Match Cards they shall be given to the Winning team official (if result is a tie then Home team) as they are required to file the detailed reports with the League.
Training Video for Referees:
WMYSA Referee Match Reporting Procedure
Fees for 2025 – 2026*
Please note, the U9 & U10 Divisions will now have 3 referee crews rather than a single referee for WMYSA games. Home Team is responsible for payment.
| Age | Game Length | Format | Ball Size | Goal Size | Min. Players | Max. Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9U-10U | 2 x 25 min | 7 v 7 | 4 | 6′ x 12′ | 5 | 12 |
| 11U-12U | 2 x 30 min | 9 v 9 | 4 | 6′ x 18′ | 7 | 15 |
| 13U-14U | 2 x 35 min | 11 v 11 | 5 | 8′ x 24′ | 7 | 18 |
| 15U-16U | 2 x 40 min | 11 v 11 | 5 | 8′ x 24′ | 7 | 18 |
| 17U-19U | 2 x 45 min | 11 v 11 | 5 | 8′ x 24′ | 7 | 18 |
Robert K Kirby Referee Scholarship
WMYSA board has approved a Referee Scholarship Program.
- Scholarship program began on July 1, 2022, Awards will not be given out if completion of Grassroots was before July 1, 2022.
- Any new official which completes the Grassroots program, becomes as an active member to WMSRA or SWMSRA and accepts referee assignments will be considered.
- Definition of new official is one who has not held an active USSF certification and referee association membership in the past three years.
- Upon validation of applicant from the referee association, WMYSA will issue a $200 scholarship award to the new official. Since the process requires accepting assignments and refereeing in actual games, this make take a few weeks to complete the steps to submission to WMYSA.
- Scholarships are paid twice a year. At the conclusion of the Fall and Spring Season.
- It is expected the new official remains active with the referee association for at least 12 months and accepts assigned games during this timeframe.
- WMYSA reserves the right to modify this program as it deems necessary.