West Des Moines Soccer Club, and youth soccer in general, have a strong ongoing need for qualified youth and adult soccer referees. To increase your contribution to the Club and to the Game, in one of the most enjoyable and valuable ways possible, consider becoming a referee.

How do I become a referee?

If you are at least 12 years old you are eligible to take the entry-level class, which is a 12-hour weekend class typically on Friday and Saturday evenings. To register for a class go to the Iowa Referee Committee Website Calendar and find a class in a location that is convenient for you. WDMSC hosts a class before each season, and once it is scheduled the information is sent out to the entire membership.

What is the cost?

The current cost for the entry-level referee class is $50. In addition to that, you will need at least one official USSF referee jersey, a watch and a whistle.  A pair of black shorts, black referee socks and black cleats or turf shoes will up your image quite a bit. If you referee at least 15 WDMSC games in your first two seasons as a referee, the Club will reimburse you for the cost of the class.

How does the Club help?

Each season the Club holds an on-field training session for new referees. When it comes time for that first game, you will be assigned to a U7 or U8 match. The Club tries very hard to coordinate with all new referees so that our Director of Referees or our Referee Assignor can be at their first game.

What does refereeing do for me?

There are four ways to participate in a soccer match:

• Play

• Watch

• Coach

• Officiate

Different persons involved in a match in each of these roles see the game from completely different perspectives, and each is able to add -- or detract – from the quality of a match in a unique way.  Learning the science, and the art, and of officiating a soccer match will add greatly to one’s understanding and appreciation of The Beautiful Game. 

Mission: The Mission of the Director of Referees is to facilitate high quality officiating for WDMSC games and to provide WDMSC players and parents with a framework to achieve their fullest potential as soccer officials.

Vision: The Vision of the Director of Referees is the existence of a culture of mutual respect among all WDMSC players, parents, coaches and officials, as well as our guests from other clubs, such that each and every match is fully enjoyable for all involved.

For more information contact WDMSC Director of Referees, Joe Hingl, at joehingl@msn.com.