STEPS FOR BECOMING A REFEREE

STEP #1: Register as a volunteer. Click on the video link below for a visual "how-to" or visit the AYSOWiki link provided below.
Signing up as a volunteer online video (created by Region 116)
How to Register as a New Adult Volunteer in Sports Connect

1. Login to AYSO581 SportsConnect: Region 581 Paradise Hills and go to your account.
2. Click on the volunteer button on the left.
3. Click on “Find Volunteer Roles” in the top right.
4. Select the Card that says referee. Click Select so that the card flips over.
5. Select to sign up a registered user and in the pop-up click on the user that you want to sign up for this position. The card will flip over as selected.
   
6. Click on continue or pick show all available opportunities to sign up additional volunteers
7. Enter in your information, accept the various waivers and consent forms at the bottom and hit continue.

BACKGROUND CHECK

1. At the volunteer page checkmark the box for Risk Status and then click on Renew & Update
2. A window will pop up asking you to verify your information. Verify and then click submit.
3. Another pop up will appear asking you to submit again. Click submit.
4. Another pop up will appear letting you know that you will receive an email to complete the background check process
5. Open your email, you will have received an email from Sterling Volunteers, subject: "Your requested copy of your completed background check for American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is available" with a link specific to your registration.
6. Click on the link and Complete fields to verify your information (email, date of birth, zip code)
7. You will create an account entering a user name and password  
8. You will then complete the 4 Step process completing your background check. You will be asked if you will be paying for your background check, select NO, our region will cover this fee.
9. Once you have received the Screen that says Congrats, you’re on your way to becoming a volunteer.  
10. Your AYSO account will start by showing your registration as Pending and once clear it will change to Eligible  

• All AYSO volunteers will need to complete Safe Haven, Cardiac Arrest, and CDC/Concussion Awareness in AYSOU.org
• All AYSO referees will need to complete either the:
  • Instructor led in person referee training course
  • Online Regional Referee Training
  • The abbreviated "In Person Companion Course"
    

STEP #2: Signup for referee training (in-person courses and/or online courses)

1. Go to the AYSO581 website, login to your account, click on the home button.  At the home page for our website click on ASYOU.  You will be logged in at AYSOU.  You must login first at www.ayso581ph.com for this to work.
2. Returning Volunteers - If you have problems logging into AYSOU then you need to submit a volunteer form and/or still submit your background request.
3. Click on In Person Courses and select Referee Instructor Lead Courses.

IN PERSON TRAINING INFORMATION

1. Complete "STEP #1"  (shown above), sub-step #s 1, 2 and 3
2. Now choose Regional Referee Course and click on sessions. Pick the AYSO Bonita Session for the date that you wish to attend and click register.
   
3. BEFORE YOU ATTEND THE IN PERSON PORTION, YOU MUST COMPLETE THREE ONLINE COURSES FIRST. 
   1. The three courses to complete are found in the Online courses at top of the screen.
   2. You will need to complete Safe Haven, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and CDC Concussion.
4. Attend the in person referee course that you registered for.

HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING

All Referees must register annually and complete an annual background check and have current training certifications:

• AYSO Safe Haven
• Safesport
• CDC Concussion Awareness

This required training can be found in AYSOU.

California, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington require completion of Sudden Cardiac Arrest training. AYSO recommends that all referees complete this.

Additionally, California AB 506 requires California volunteers who have direct contact with children 16 hours a month or 32 hours per year, which applies to most coaches, referees, team parents, and board members who spend 2 or more hours on the field weekly, to have a one-time background check as approved by the California Department of Justice. This background check is known as LiveScan. Details can be found here.