Getting assigned to matches

Getting assigned to matches

Congratulations on successfully completing the requirements to become a grassroots referee.  My name is Lou Agocs and I'm your State Director of Assignment (SDA).  You can contact me any time with questions, via email. 

• Having completed course requirements, you are registered with U.S. Soccer as a referee through 2021 and all of 2022.
• Now comes the process of getting assigned to matches.

Resources

In order to be assigned to referee soccer matches in Iowa, you must get in contact with a U.S. Soccer certified Referee Assignor. You should have been given a list of local assignors during the Grassroots Referee course.

• As a U.S. Soccer certified referee, you are an independent contractor and as such may work for any assignor, but it is your responsibility to contact them for games.
• It is your responsibility to contact your local assignor and let him/her know that you are a certified official and are ready to work games. Most assignors will want to know your availability so be ready with the list of dates and times that you are/are not available to work matches when you contact them.
• Also, be sure to let them know of a reliable way to contact you in case of last-minute schedule changes. Many assignors will assign games on a week-by-week basis so be sure to ask what the procedure is for getting games in the future.

As a new soccer official, you should be prepared to work mainly as an Assistant Referee or as a Referee on the younger age groups until the assignor is able to identify your abilities to handle more difficult games.

• Do not be discouraged if your first season is spent doing "little kids" as all referees go through this process of development.
• If you have the opportunity to work with more experienced referees, be sure to ask them any questions you might have as their advice will come in handy when you receive harder assignments.

The Game Hierarchy table is your guide to the levels and priorities of games to which a referee can be assigned. It is important that you share your goals with each of your assignors so that they can work together with you to provide assignments that will enhance your career path. You should then work the highest level of game that you can.

• Game Hierarchy Table

It is recommended that you work for an assignor nearby so that he/she can help you to improve your refereeing abilities. 

• Also, if you are interested in becoming an assignor, contact Lou Agocs, SDA via email.

If you do not know who the assignor(s) are in your area or are unsure where to get games, then submit the form below which will go to Lou Agocs, SDA.