Prospective Members
-
Frequently asked questions from prospective
members ...
- Can I become a high school referee?
- How do I become a certified high school referee?
- How do I join RISOA?
- When are the games?
- How do I get games?
- What are the games like?
- Where are the games?
- Are there meetings I need to attend?
- Is there any training available?
- Can I talk to somebody from RISOA?
1. Can I become a high school referee?
Yes, provided you meet the certification requirements below. While RISOA accepts members with little or no soccer referee experience, most of our officials gain valuable game experience working youth and adult amateur games for a few years prior to working high school ball. If this is your first venture into soccer refereeing, we suggest you visit the web site for the Central Virginia Soccer Referee Association or the Metro-DC and Virginia Referee Association to find USSF certification courses intended for the beginner.
2. How do I become a certified high school referee?
There are four requirements for certification from the Virginia High School League. First, an applicant must be eighteen years of age. Second, you must be a member of a sanctioned referee association (such as RISOA). Third, you must attend one of the annual rules clinics. The date and time for the clinic in the Richmond area will be announced in the fall, but you may attend any session anywhere in the state. Fourth, you must pass the VHSL written examination. The time for the annual administration of this exam will be announced in the fall
An application for membership is in the Forms section of this web site. The form must be downloaded, completed, and mailed back. {Sorry about that, but we need an original signature on file, and we can't do that on the web just yet!} The cost of joining is $30 annually; this includes your VHSL and local dues, a rule book, and insurance.
RISOA covers high school games during three seasons -- fall, winter, and spring.
The vast majority of games are in the spring. Public high schools play both their boys and girls seasons in the spring. Most of these games are played in the evenings. Chesterfield County schools typically play a junior varstiy game at 5:30 and a varsity game at 7:00. Hanover County, Henrico County, and city of Richmond schools begin at 6:00 with their JV game, followed by the varsity match at 7:30. Games in outlying areas may be singles or doubleheaders with similar starting times. There are a few schools that play late afternoon matches as their fields have no lights.
The fall season consists of independent schools playing primarily a boys season, although some of these schools have co-ed teams. There are far fewer games, and almost all of these are late afternoon starts.
The winter season has even fewer matches. We serve four private schools that play a girls season with late afternoon matches. The first part of the season is in December and the second part in January.
The only way to be assigned games is to complete an availability form. Member referees complete the availability form on the web site and the organization's assignor selects referees from the availability pool to cover the matches. The assignor attempts to match the talents, fitness, and experience of the referee with the difficulty of the match, within the limits of those available on a given day.
Varsity matches sanctioned by VHSL are played in 40 minute halves. They are mostly played on the football fields in a stadium setting under the lights. Crowds vary from a handful of moms and dads to a few hundred rabid fans depending on the level of competition, the weather, and the time of the year. There are matches where 4 or 5 players in the game will go on to play Division I college soccer and there are matches where the skill level is consderably lower. This is true for both boys and girls play.
The fall and winter seasons also have a diversity of matches. Some of our Richmond area schools regularly contend for the state championship while others are offering a recreational program for boys and girls of all ages.
In the spring season, RISOA serves the Central Region Group AAA schools. The region goes from Ashland in the north to Dinwiddie in the south, Highland Springs in the east to the western edge of Henrico County. We also serve West Point, King William and Essex Counties to the east, and Goochland to the west. All member referees are expected to accept their share of out-of-town matches.
The fall season has considerably less travel as almost all schools are in the immediate Richmond area. We serve St. Margaret's in Tappahannock during the winter season.
8. Are there meetings I need to attend?
You must attend two meetings each year. These are the annual rules clinic offered by the VHSL and the annual examination. Times for these meetings will be announced in the fall.
There is an annual membership business meeting held each September. There are also monthly training meetings held the first Monday of each month for October through March (except holidays). While training meetings are not required per se, most members attend most meetings and the sessions are valuable for both beginners and veteran officials. The social aspect of the meetings adds to the instruction.
The association conducts an annual fitness test each March for those who do not complete a fitness test for their college or USSF association. The fitness score is a part of the referee rating.
The end-of-season picnic is an opportunity to visit with brother and sister referees, share "war stories," and enjoy burgers and beverages to celebrate the accomplishments of the year.
9. Is there training available?
Yes. RISOA is justifiably proud of its monthly training meetings. The presentations are done by different members each month and an occasional guest speaker takes the podium. Topics range from fitness and nutritional ideas to tips on match management to statistical analysis of the games we do. Prospective members are welcome at all training meetings, so check out the calendar and feel free to drop in. New member orientation is conducted in January.
The association also has a mentor program. Junior (in experience) referees are assigned a mentor who works with them during pre-season scrimmages. The mentor is available during the regular season for conversation. The assignor attempts to schedule the mentors and their proteges to some of the same matches where possible.
10. Can I talk to somebody from RISOA?
Yes. Complete the interest form on the next page. Someone from the committee or from the RISOA board will get back to you in a few days.