Responsibilities

For some of you, this may be your first job, while others are seasoned veterans of the game. No matter your experience level, your role as a referee is vital and comes with great responsibility. You are more than just someone with a whistle—you are a match official.

As a game official, your primary duties include:

• Keep the game safe: Safety always comes first, so watch for rough play and help prevent dangerous situations.

• Know and enforce the rules: Players are counting on you to make fair and consistent decisions. Focus on the game at all times. Ask if you don’t know something, we all make mistakes and we are all still learning.

• Control the game flow: Arrive early for your game, be prepared and ready to start the game on time.

• Help things run smoothly by staying confident and calm, even when things get intense. Do your best with the knowledge of the rules and the experience that you have.

• Set a positive example: Be respectful, professional, and composed — the way you act sets the tone for everyone around you.

Remember, mistakes happen — even for professional referees. What matters is how you learn, grow, and stay confident. You're here because you're trusted to do a great job, and we believe in you. Let's have a fantastic season! 

Communication

As a referee, communication is important.  A successful referee will continuously be communicating with players, coaches, site convenors, and us as the organizers of West Elgin Soccer. This means actively listening, asking questions, and providing clear explanations as part of your role. Here are some tips.

• Be positive, respectful and encouraging at all times.

• Before each game, introduce yourself and check in with both coaches.

• Talk to your fellow referees (about reffing soccer!) so that you can learn from each other.

• After each game, check in with the Site Convenor or a member of the Executive, if you have any questions or concerns and especially if there was conflict during the game with a player, coach or spectator.

Always remember that you are there to HELP our soccer players learn to follow the rules, play safely and enjoy the game of soccer!

Weekly Schedule 

Referees must be at the fields 15 min before game time. Game times will be available on PowerUp.

Reporting of Scores

The referee will keep track of the scores for all games (Including the number of who scored) from U4 to U16/U18.  The referee is then responsible to enter the score into PowerUp.

Division Details

Here are a few other details specifically about our Divisions that you will need to know. You should have or will soon receive a “field sheet” event (via Power Up and/or email) telling you when you will be refereeing a game for the following week including all the details about that game.   Also on the day of the event you will receive an email reminder from the home’s team.

West London Soccer League Manuel

*For both our Line Person and Head Referees of the U12, U14 and U16/U18 referees, it is important that you have also reviewed the West London Soccer League Manual (see link below).

Refer to the West London Soccer League rules https://www.westlondonsoccer.com/league-manual/ 

No Ref, No Game

As a referee, we know the job can be tough, and sometimes a friendly soccer game can become heated or negative. Remember, we're here to support you — you should never be bullied or harassed. Ontario Soccer's Take 5 Initiative is in place to help in these situations. You'll receive more training on this, but we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the content. We've got your back!

To learn more, visit the "Take 5" page.

IFAB Referee Signals

Our referees are not profession IFAB (International Football Association Board) referees, so you may not see these signals on the field.  If you do, send your referee a huge compliment.