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REFEREE UPDATES for SFYS LEAGUES
- Join the SFYS Roundtable Discord Channel
- Referee 2020-21 Preseason Meeting Slide Deck
- Referee Training Dates & Locations
- SFYS Leagues Official Referee Pay Scale
- Need to renew your badge? | Never had one before?

REFEREE RESPONSIBILITIES
Referees are independent contractors (not SFYS employees).
- Referee responsibilities are to get assignments to officiate matches
- Show up at your assignment at least 20 minutes early to do inspection
- Check players in - make sure the players on the pitch are the ones on the player passes - and they are not wearing jewelry and have proper soccer gear (shinguards, cleats, matching jersey with unique number).
- Call the game - based on league rules/playing ages
- Report scores and Team S.T.A.R.s - the same weekend of the games (so you can be paid in full)
REFEREE LINKS:
ADULTS & YOUTH 13+
Want to ref with SFYS?
- Training Dates will be posted throughout the year. In the meantime, fill out this Referee Inquiry Form and we'll notify you of referee events and trainings.
How SF Youth Soccer Supports Referees
US Soccer Foundation-sponsored week long comprehensive grassroots training
Pre- and mid-season gatherings/pizza parties to groove you into the various systems, meet other refs, answer questions you might have about SFYS rules/procedures.
New referees may sign up to be at a field with a mentor for the first couple of weeks. Check with your referee assignor if you are interested in our:
Follow up gatherings to provide more support or just have fun getting to know your fellow referees.
REF LOGISTICS
Referees are independent contractors that will access several different websites in order to secure matches to ref and also to report scores (requirement to get paid).
To get assignments, you will need to log on to the PENSRA Referee Assignment system. Once in the PENSRA site, it is important to pay attention to where the games are and the hosting organization so you can figure out reporting and any W-9 requirement or PayPal account issues.
[Click here to learn how to use PENSRA]
Note that SFYS requires all referees to submit page 1 of the W-9 form filled out and signed by the referee. This includes minors. It may be emailed, faxed to 415-504-8133 or posted to: SF Youth Soccer, 1434 Taraval St, Suite A, San Francisco, CA 94116.
SF Youth Soccer runs both Fall and Spring soccer for SFYS Recreational and SF Upper House (competitive) play. PENSRA Match Reports must be submitted by every referee on the game in order to be paid.
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Our Commitment to SafetyAt SFYS, we believe every child deserves a safe, positive environment to play the game they love. While we work hard to ensure read more...
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SFYS STAR Program: Supporting our Referees on the PitchYouth sports are high-intensity by nature, and while we all feel that "game day energy," our mission at SFYS is to ensure that read more...
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Avario Scheduling TipsAs of 3/9/26, team admins have submitted 53 schedule requests via the Avario scheduling platform. We did not approve schedule read more... -
Spring 2026 Action ShotsThanks to our pro photographer Chris M Leung for her amazing action shots! We'll post her albums here throughout the Spring read more...