Purpose: To establish the minimum set of standards of training for each level of competition.

A) Pee-Wee Referee

A Pee-Wee referee shall be required to pass a certified USSF referee course and/or attend and pass successfully the Franklin Township Soccer Club Pee Wee Referee Training Program. A Pee Wee Referee is qualified to referee all Nipper and Pee-Wee games, Pee-Wee and Asst. Ref. Stand-bye positions.

The minimum requirements to become a Pee-Wee Referee are;

1. A responsible and mature individual able to make decisions based on the requirements set forth within the Laws of the Game and Local Rule Exceptions.
2. Be of within 5^th grade or above and meet the standards of the above stated requirement.
3. Be willing to commit to the training required to become a referee and to maintain their level of proficiency.
4. Complete the Franklin Township Soccer Club Request to Become a Referee Form and submit it to a representative located at the Referee Table, or email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
   a) Once your form has been submitted and received your child will be placed onto the Referee Waiting List. You will be contacted when your child is next to attend the referee class.
   b) This program is very popular. It is not unusual for your child to be on the waiting list for 3 – 4 seasons before being called. Please advise your child of this so they do not think they will be immediately trained.

B) Junior Referee

A Junior Referee shall be required to pass a certified USSF referee course and attend and pass successfully the Franklin Township Soccer Club Referee Training Program. The referee must show proficiency in foul recognition, maintain management of the match, demonstrate common sense, be physically fit to maintain position with the ball in play, and be under the age of 18. Junior referees are qualified to referee all Pee-Wee and Junior 1 and 2 division games as long as the game being refereed is at least one divisional level below the level of play for that referee. Example: A Junior 5 or 6 player may referee all games up to and including Junior 3 – 4 .

C) Senior Referee

A Senior Referee shall be required to pass a certified USSF referee course and/or attend and pass successfully the Franklin Township Soccer Club Referee Training Program. The referee must show proficiency in foul recognition, maintain management of the match, demonstrate common sense, be physically fit to maintain position with the ball in play, and be under the age of 18. Senior referees are qualified to referee all games except the Senior Division game as long as the game being refereed is at least one divisional level below the level of play for that referee. Example: A Senior player may referee all games up to and including Junior 5 – 6.

D) Assistant Referee (Linesmen)/Fourth Official

An Assistant Referee/Fourth Official must meet the following standards and attend the Franklin Township Assistant Referee/Fourth Official Course.

The minimum requirements to become an Assistant Referee/Fourth Official are;

1. A responsible and mature individual able to make decisions based on the requirements set forth within the Laws of the Game and Local Rule Exceptions.
2. Be of within 5th grade or above and meet the standards of the above stated requirement.
3. Be willing to commit to the training required to become a referee and to maintain their level of proficiency.
4. Complete the Franklin Township Soccer Club Request to Become an Assistant Referee Form and submit it to a representative located at the Referee Table, or email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
   a. Once your form has been submitted and received you child will be placed onto the Referee Waiting List. You will be contacted when your child is next to attend the referee class.
   b. This program is very popular. It is not unusual for your child to be on the waiting list for 1 – 2 seasons before being called. Please advise your child of this so they do not think they will be immediately trained.

E) Adult Referee

An Adult referee must be a registered United States Soccer Federation Referee and understand the Franklin Township Soccer Club Local Rule Exceptions. Show proficiency in foul recognition, maintain management of the match, demonstrate common sense, and be physically fit to maintain position with the ball in play, not be a player within the Franklin Township Soccer Club and 18 years old or older.

F) Adult Referee Assistant

An Adult referee assistant is not a licensed referee and will not perform referee responsibilities. All adult referee assistants must understand the FIFA Laws of the Game and the Franklin Township Soccer Club Local Rule Exceptions. Adult Referee Assistants will help the Head Referee with the administrative functions of the referee division within the soccer club. They cannot be a player within the Franklin Township Soccer Club and must be 18 years old or older. This position can be utilized towards work bond refunds.

During the course of the season the referee program will be assessed (when allowable) on its performance. The Head Referee and/or his designated representative will conduct this assessment. During the season the Head Referee will conduct training session(s). These training session(s) will be held to discuss referee performance, corrections and overall concerns. Some areas that are assessed are; foul recognition, proper position for keeping up with play, control of the match, and explanation of fouls. This tool will be utilized in a positive manner to assist all referees in identification of areas that we are strong in and identification of areas needing improvement.

Individual assessments results will not be conducted unless requested by the parent of the referee assessed and approved by the head referee.