EPSA Referee Information

Interested in becoming a referee?

 Formal referee training is in the Spring.  If you are interested in refereeing for the Fall Season, contact the referee director, Ken Bomben, at 952-942-5768.

How old do I have to be to referee?

 We prefer that referees are at least 12 years old.

New referees

 Must attend one of two “New Referee Clinics”.  They can be taken at any location but the 2-day Grade 8 courses must be taken in order.

Returning referees

 Must recertify, but only have to attend one of the “Re-certifying Referee Clinics”.  The only way to re-certify is by registering online. 

If I’m in 7th grade, how can I take the Grade 8 or Grade 9 classes?

The clinics are listed by referee grade and are not indicative of your grade in school.  Anyone of any age can be a Grade 9 or Grade 8 referee.

Which clinic is right for me? 

 The Grade 9 is easier but the Grade 8 teaches you much more and better prepares you for referring at all levels.  If you are young (12 or less) and you only intend to work for the EPSA, the Grade 9 is probably enough.  If you want to be assigned to be a center referee for the Eden Prairie Soccer Club or if you are older (14 or more), the Grade 8 is best.

How do I sign up for a clinic?

 The clinic schedule is available at the Minnesota State Referee Committee web site.  NOTE: You will need to register and pay the fees before you can see the schedule.  You can take a clinic at any location.  The schedule for the Eden Prairie clinics is below.  Do not wait to register for these clinics.  Space is limited and they fill up fast.  

Here are the steps you will need to follow to become a certified referee:

  • Create an account on the Minnesota State Referee Committee website.

  • They will send you a confirmation email.  Use this to verify your account.

  • Pay the fee for your level.

  • Watch videos.  (If you are re-certifying you will take a test before watching the videos.)

  • Take an online test.

  • You must pass the test no later than the Wednesday before the clinic date. 

  • For those of you who needed a few attempts to get it right last year, start taking the test now.

  • Once you've passed the online test, you will be able to sign up for a clinic.

  • Print out the confirmation information and bring it to the clinic.

  

2012 Referee Clinics for New Referees

If you would like to referee for the Eden Prairie Soccer Association, you should take a training clinic that is conducted by the Minnesota State Referee Committee.

Step 1:  Register

Go to the Minnesota State Referee Committee webpage (www.minnesotasrc.com) and register as a new referee.  The first thing they will want from you is money – be prepared to pay by credit card.

Step 2:  Watch the Videos

You must watch some videos before you can sign up for a clinic.  Be advised that they will quiz during the videos so you can’t just run these in the background.  I strongly suggest that you do this as soon as possible so that you can get into a convenient clinic.

Step 3:  Select a Certification Clinic

There are two different certification clinics.  Select the one that best fits your interest.

Step 4:  Attend the Classroom Training

EPSA and EPSC sponsor two Grade 9 clinics and two Grade 8 clinics at the Eden Prairie High School.  (You may want to confirm the locations and times just before you come.)  Other nearby cities sponsor additional clinics on other dates, so you should be able to find a clinic that fits your calendar.

Grade 9 Course:  March 24 or April 21  Four hours video (Step 2) and four hours classroom (Step 4) providing entry into the US Soccer Referee Program.  Participants who successfully complete this class will be able to center referee for recreational (non-travel) games, center referee for developmental games (travel, U9 through U12), or be an assistant referee in any youth game. The Grade 9 clinic will start at 10:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM.  Cost:  $40

Grade 8 Course:  February 18 or April 21  8 hours of video (Step 2) and 8 hours of classroom (Step 4) providing entry into the US Soccer Referee Program.  Participants who successfully complete this course can center referee or assistant referee any game.  The Grade 8 clinics will start at 8:00 AM and end at 5:00 PM. Cost:  $40

Still have questions?  Call Ken at 942-5768.

2012 Returning Referee Clinics in Eden Prairie

The only way to recertify for 2012 is online.  This requires five steps.

Step 1:  Register

Go to the Minnesota State Referee Committee webpage (www.minnesotasrc.com), enter your user name and password (or find them by using your USSF registration ID number).  All clinics are hosted and managed by the SRC.  You will pay at this step.

Cost (for any of the clinics):          

  • $40 USSF registration fee
  • $20 Minnesota SRC administrative fee

Step 2:  Take the Test

Yes, they now want you to take the test first.  You must pass the test with a score of 75 in order to move on to step 3.  Don’t put this off.  There are online videos for those of you who want a refresher in the laws.  If you don’t pass the test, you will be allowed to retake the test every couple of days until you do.

If you are having problems getting past this step – call me.  Don’t put it off.

Returning Grade 9 Referees:  The MnSRC has decided that it will no longer offer separate bridging courses.  Grade 9 Referees (the light blue badge) will be given a choice: if you wish to remain a Grade 9, sign up (as a returning referee) for a new Grade 9 clinic and follow the instructions for Steps 2, 3 and 4 under Grade 9 Clinics on the opposite side of this letter.  If you wish to become a Grade 8 Referee, sign up (as a returning referee) for a new Grade 8 clinic and follow the instructions for Steps 2, 3 and 4 under Grade 8 Clinics on the opposite side of this letter.

Step 3:  Watch the Videos

You must watch some referee videos and you will not be allowed to sign up for a clinic until you watch them.  Don’t put these off, either.  They will quiz you along the way, so you can’t just run the videos in background.

Step 4:  Select a Recertification Clinic

Recertification ensures that referees are up-to-date on the changes in the laws.

Step 5:  Attend the Classroom Training

EPSA and EPSC sponsor four Grade 8 recertification clinics at the Eden Prairie High School.  (You may want to confirm the locations and times just before you come.)  Other nearby cities sponsor additional clinics on other dates, so you should be able to find a clinic that fits your calendar.

Grade 8 Recertification:  February 18 (Sat), March 8 (Thur), April 19 (Thur) or April 21 (Sat)  Four hours of videos (Step 2) and two hours classroom (Step 5) for returning Grade 8 referees so that they may complete the requirements for recertification.  Class will be in session from 10 AM to 12 PM (noon).

Register Early!

Still have questions?  Call Ken Bomben at 952-942-5768.