Questions regarding this policy should be forwarded to Martin Canales (Regional Referee Administrator), Patric McNeff (Chief Coach), or Tim Dickinson (Regional Commissioner).

    1.  Each team shall certify a minimum of two (2) referees at the Regional (Basic) Referee level, or above.  These referees will be responsible for ensuring their team's referee assignments are covered, and will be answerable to the Regional Referee Administrator (RRA).

     2.  Team referees will referee the game on their field immediately preceding their own team's game, each weekend.  The teams playing the first game of the day on a field will referee the last game of the day on that field.  The "Home Team;" listed first on the schedule; will provide the Referee for the match and one (1) Assistant Referee.  The "Visiting Team;" listed second on the schedule; will provide one (1) Assistant Referee.  If another referee or referee team bids to work the game, and is assigned by the RRA to cover the match, one or both teams may be relieved of their commitments to referee, depending on the number of assignments made.  The "Visiting Team" Assistant Referee is first to be relieved, followed by one or both of the "Home Team" referees.

NOTE:  It is the responsibility of each team manager, the team coach, and the team's referees to know their referee assignments/obligations.  If in doubt, e-mail the RRA or Division Coordinator to confirm them.

     3.  Teams and team referees may solicit help in covering their responsibilities, utilizing fully certified/qualified AYSO referees from among those in the Region (i.e. other teams and/or the Region 87 Referee Roster), whenever there's any chance of a game not having adequate referee coverage.  The RRA is also available to help you in the event of an emergency ("I have to go surfing," "...to a Little League game," "...to a birthday party," etc., etc., are not emergencies!)  Realizing that it is the Region's desire to have every game fully staffed with three (3) referees, it is suggested that all referees attending matches (even their own) have their "kit" with them, and that they be prepared to step in and help out whenever necessary - we want to play the games!

     4.  That said, it is AYSO policy that a game will not be played without a certified referee.  In the interest of safety there will be no exceptions to this rule.  If a certified/uniformed referee is not in attendance to conduct the match there will be no play.  Both teams will be awarded average points at the end of the regular season, if necessary, for the purpose of determining standings and/or seedings for post-season tournament play.

     5.  Any team not fulfilling its referee responsibilities will forfeit its match of the same day, by a score of 1-0 (the actual result shall stand if their opponent has beaten them by more, excepting that in no case shall the offending team receive any points for the match).  Volunteer points will be deducted from a team's total points for any and all referee assignments not covered.  Any team not making an adequate effort to fulfill its referee obligations may be further be sanctioned at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner and/or the Board of Directors, pending a hearing before the same.

 Exceptions:

 A.  U6 team games will be "officiated" by the U6 coaches involved in each game.  Referee certification at the Regional (Basic) Referee level is encouraged, but not required.

 B.  U8 teams will certify one (1) referee at the Regional (Basic) Referee level, or above.  The "Home Team;" listed first on the schedule; will provide the Referee for their own team's match, who shall enlist club assistant referees from the resources available to him/her at the match (e.g. other referees, coaches, parents, etc.).

 C.  U14 teams will certify two (2) referees at the Regional (Basic) Referee level, or above (Intermediate (Area) level certification preferred).  These two referees are required to serve as Assistant Referees for all their team's home matches, and should confirm their availability with the Regional Referee Scheduler (RRS, currently Tom Kinicki) a week in advance.  One or both of these Home Team AR's may be relieved of their responsibilities by the RRS, depending on neutral referee availability.

 D.  U16/U19 referee assignments (and above) will be made by the Regional Referee Scheduler, from among the most highly qualified referees available.  All referees assigned to these matches will be neutral referees unless there are no other options available, at which point the approval of the Regional Referee Administrator is required.