Wakefield has a long tradition of having a great referee program, and we need your help to continue it.

To maintain a successful soccer program, it is vital to have a large number of local referees. In addition to the league needing center referees for G4, G6, and G8 games (fall and spring), and G10/G12PG games (spring only), assistant referees are needed in both the fall and the spring for G6 and G8 games.  We also need referees in the fall and spring for intramural games.

Referees are paid for each game they officiate. Pay rates are dependent on the age group of the game, the type of game (travel vs intramural), and the assignment type (center vs assistant). Travel center referees are paid by the league, while intramural refs and assistant refs are paid by WSA. The league sends out payments during the season, every two weeks.  WSA pays refs twice per season at the midway point and at the end of each season.

Individuals must be at least 14 years of age to become a Grade 8, entry-level referee. Training is provided by the Massachusetts State Referee Committee, which administers training, certification, assessment, and registration of referees in MA. Additionally, WSA will provide some in-house training for its referees.

Individuals interested in becoming a referee should review the MASSREF web site, www.massref.net, for additional information. Once a course has been selected, notify the referee director, [email protected], so they are aware of a new Wakefield referee coming along.  Additional information is also available at the league referee website, https://www.ecysa.org/ECYSA/referee-home.

WSA will provide new referees with a uniform package including a shirt, shorts, and socks. Also, WSA will reimburse active referees for their initial course fees and re-certification courses as long as they continue to referee for Wakefield or for the Essex League.

Current MASSREF courses are listed at:  https://central.massref.net/courseofferings.cfm

For 12 and 13 year old players! Drop in Meeting on August 25th from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Wakefield Soccer is continuing this year the Genesis Referee Program (GRP), for players who would like to learn how to be referees. This program will allow players who are 12 or 13 years old the opportunity to be trained and get experience to prepare them to become certified referees. The program is comprised of 2 hours of classroom instruction, including instruction on the Laws of the Game, game management, and specific application of Wakefield Soccer Association (WSA) rules. After completing the classroom portion, participants will receive ongoing on field instruction and experience by being assigned to Grade 2 intramural games under the supervision of WSA referee mentors. The classroom instruction is scheduled for Sunday September 7, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Civic Center.

Please bring a notebook/notepad and a pen to the class. WSA will provide training materials, and a referee shirt and a whistle for each participant. Participants will be required to provide a wristwatch with stopwatch or timer function. They will receive a training stipend for each game slot they are on the field. Current rates are $15 per game. The stipend will be issued at the conclusion of the season.
Games are currently scheduled to be on Sundays, beginning September 14th.

There will be an open drop-in meeting for anyone interested in the GRP on Monday, August 25th, 2025, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Heritage Room on the first floor of the Americal Civic Center. Come before or after practice that night, and find out more about the program, ask any questions you have, and sign up for the class!

The minimum age to become a fully certified referee by completing the Massachusetts State Referee Committee/USSF Grassroots Referee Course is 14. Participants in the GRP who show the aptitude and desire to become a fully certified referee may be eligible for classroom and/or age waivers after 2 seasons in the WSA Genesis Referee Program.

For more information, contact Michael Kilkelly at [email protected].