By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
September 8, 2026-As the summer tournaments have concluded and the Fall Season kicks off this weekend, some adults are feeling withdrawal symptoms as the soccer team they coached or watched for years has aged out of youth soccer. And there are players whose team has also graduated from youth soccer who are thinking about a new challenge.
Stay involved with the Beautiful Game by becoming a youth soccer referee or assistant ref. There are many wonderful things that happen when a person starts to ref including learning more about the game from a different perspective, learning to manage people, staying or becoming fit, earning money and expanding yourself by leaving your comfort zone.
The growth of the membership and programs of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has created a continuous need for more soccer referees and assistant refs. There are certification classes held throughout Eastern New York.
The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified and the certification class consists of online learning, a Zoom meeting and a field session. For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/