Referees
Ref Center
Referee Education
The YRSA is committed to the growth, education and development of the Referees in York Region. Please contact the York Region District Referee Coordinator, Peter Kalpouzos at pkalpouzos@yrsa.ca for any questions or concerns regarding Referees in York Region. The YRSA offers a wide range of clinics and workshops for District Referees.
Referee Annual Registration
What does registration include?
Please note that the 2023 Registration process will be opened February 15th.
Registration fees will be $125.00 for 18+ officials and $45 for all Under 18 officials.
Registration will be announced through social media and RefCentre communication channels.
Ontario Soccer Annual Referee Registration is mandatory through Ref Centre.
Go To Ontario Soccer's Ref Center
Useful Guides to Help Referees with E2E Ref Centre
Getting the Most Out of Ref Centre Ref Centre Step-by-Step Guide
Referee Development Program
We have experienced very high levels of drop out in the Referee pool over the last 2-3 seasons, some due to Covid and some due to attrition, this seems to have impacted Referees across the Province. League 1 expansion towards 3 divisions in both men’s and women’s for 2024 will reshuffle the Referee pool and most likely require a higher level of Referees for some of those games.
The overall structure for the game in Ontario will require more Referees at all levels, therefore, it is imperative to not only start these programs in our district but to also engage others to do the same.
Through the YRSA-RDP initiative we intend to continue developing talented match officials and proudly continue to support and provide Ontario Soccer with quality match officials .
Please contact the York Region District Referee Coordinator, Peter Kalpouzos at pkalpouzos@yrsa.ca for more information regarding the Referees Development Program in York Region.
Training Videos
Referee Fees 2023

Ontario Player Development League (OPDL)
U13 - $65/ $50 / $50
U14/U15 - $70 / $55 / $55
U16 - $75 / $60 / $60
U17/U18 - $80 / $65 / $65

IModel
U13 - $55 / $40 / $40
U14/U15 - $60 / $45 / $45
U16 - $65 / $50 / $50
U17/U18 - $70 / $55 / $55

YRSL Youth
U8 - $30 / $0 / $0
U9/U10 - $30 / $0 / $0
U11/U12 - $40 / $0 / $0
U13 - $50 / $35 / $35
U14 /U15 - $55 / $40 / $40
U16 - $60 / $45 / $45
U17/U18 - $65 / $50 / $50

YRSL Senior
All Divisions - $80 / $55 / $55

YRSL Indoor
U8 - $20
U9/10 - $30
U11/12 - $35
Referee FAQs
1. How do I get game assignments?
The match officials log into their ref centre account. They will see games that are available at their level. The official can select 4 referee and 4 assistant referee games per month.
2. Can I do more that my allotment for the month?
Yes but you can only pick 4 referee and 4 assistant referee assignments yourself. As the YRSA did last year, the assignor will send out emails looking for game officials for games that need to be filled. Ref centre also will send out offers to referees according to their availability for game assignments which the referee may accept or decline.
3. Do I have to accept an offer of a game assignment?
No. But match officials need to keep their availability current on ref centre. Consistently declining game offers may remove that official from receiving further offers from the YRSA.
4. If I have a game assignment and cannot make it, can I give my assignment to another referee?
No. If you cannot make your game assignment due to an emergency or unforeseen circumstance, the match official is to call the YRSA and the YRSA will find a replacement.
5. Why can’t the teams shake hands after the game?
The YRSA is implementing pregame ceremonies for all games involved in York Region. The teams will line up in front of their benches standing on the touch line with the match officials between them. The managers will check player’s books; the team officials will then do a player’s equipment check. The teams will then shake hands, with one team coming across to shake everyone’s hands and then the other team will shake the match official’s hands. The captain from each team will stay and the coin toss will be done at this point. There will be no formal handshake after the game. If the players/coaches want to mingle and talk or congratulate each other, that is fine. Most discipline issues occur after an emotional game. We are following the model of all professional leagues.
6. What if the teams refuse to line up for pregame ceremonies?
All teams/clubs have been told this is being implemented. If one or both teams refuse to follow this procedure, a special incident report must be submitted to the YRSA. The team(s) will be brought to discipline. The game is still to be played. Referees are required to report this non‐compliance to the YRSA and NOT abandon the game.
7. Can I take a picture of the game sheet and email it to the league?
Yes but only for the YRSL. Match officials may do any of the following for YRSL games only”
• SCAN GAME SHEETS AND EMAIL THEM
• TAKE A PICTURE AND EMAIL GAME SHEETS
• THIS INCLUDES CAUTIONS/SENDING OFF
The game sheets are then to be sent to: slongworth@yrsa.ca
All leagues including, IModel Qualifying, C2 and district leagues; these games sheets must be sent in with any sanctions to the appropriate league.
8. What is the difference between being mentored and being assessed?
Mentoring is for a youth or inexperienced referee that will have an experienced official (mentor) arrive at this referee’s game. The mentor will give the referee tips, coach him/her and exchange ideas with the inexperienced referee. The goal is to help the referee learn and improve his/her referee abilities. Assessment is a more formal process with the match official. A referee will ask for an assessment with the goal being to move up a level on ref centre; ie. If a referee is a level 5 and wants to become a level 6, he/she will request an assessment. The assessor will arrive at the referee’s game and assess the referee during his match. If the referee receives a favourable assessment, the referee will be re‐graded to a higher level. Mentoring and assessments are a free service provided to all York Region Referees and all referees should take advantage of this service.
9. Can I arrive to my game assignment in my school clothes?
The YRSA has implemented a dress code for the 2015 (and beyod) season(s). The following is acceptable clothing when arriving for your game assignments;
• TRACKSUIT
• REFEREE UNIFORM
• BUSINESS CASUAL
• OR THE YRSA T‐SHIRT YOU WILL RECEIVE WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATION FEE
So if your school or business outfits complies to any of the any, then the answer is yes.
10. I am interested in entering the Regional Upgrade Program. What do I do?
The Regional Upgrade Program is run by Ontario Soccer. Details of requirements are available on the Ontario Soccer site. From a YRSA perspective, the interested referee is encouraged to contact the DRC to express his/her interest in upgrading. The Referee Development Committee will then work with the referee to prepare for the Regional Program through game appointments and assessments.
Referee of the Year Awards
2022 Match Official of the Year
Ryan Schwenger
2018 'Spirit of the Game' Award Winner
Ontario Soccer is thrilled to announce the following Match Officials Appreciation Day Award Winner from York Region for 2018!
Ashley Marshall (Newmarket SC)
The Ceremony is scheduled to commence at 1:30pm on October 28, 2018.
2016 Top Male & Female Referee Nominees
Petros Vasilos (Thornhill SC)
Jin Ma (Markham SC)
Phil Rayson (Newmarket SC)
Nicholas Celebre (Woodbridge SC)
Alex Battaglia (Vaughan SC)
Adam Szocs (Kleinburg Nobleton SC)
Nadia Trozzo (Thornhill SC)
Catalina Hernandez (Vaughan SC)
Jacqueline Iantorno (Kleinburg Nobleton SC)
Niki Hassanali (Markham SC)
Kristina Lee (Newmarket SC)
Cassandra Villari (Woodbridge SC)
2016 Top Male Referee Award Recipient
Adam Szocs (Kleinburg Nobleton Soccer Club)
Adam Szocs brings the Dedication, Passion and Enthusiasm to the game.
The dedication Adam demonstrates every time he shows-up for an assignment is almost immediately shown. Referee’s uniform is always clean and tidy in appearance. He is always willing to help.
2016 Top Female Referee Award Recipient
Cassandra Villari (Woodbridge Soccer Club)
Cassandra's work ethic is exemplary and her performance has always displayed a professional image. Over the past few years, Cassandra, has excelled as both a leader and a role model especially to the young girls she has coached and refereed. When she is assigned a game, she takes her duties and responsibilities seriously; she is dependable; she shows up early, looking neat and well-dressed.
Long Term Officials Development (LTOD)
LTOD - The Pathway to Match Officiating Excellence
LTOD will provide a standards-based education and development program, through strong leadership, inclusivity and support.
All aspects of the Match Official Development Program will be strengthened, as Development Support Team members, Match Officials and the game will benefit from a ground breaking development and training program.