Region 87 does not currently have enough certified referees to fully staff all matches. As a result, we rely on a scarce few referees without children playing in the region who graciously give us a huge amount of time to ensure our children can participate in safe, fun matches throughout the season. They are critically important to us and allow us to run many games that otherwise would not be played.

Please ask referees if they have children currently playing in our program, and thank all referees (especially those without kids in the region) at each match for helping your child participate in our program.

We need new referees, both adult and youth, now. Without them, games get canceled for lack of coverage. In the last few seasons, cancelations have occurred both with advance notice, and at kickoff time on game day.

To promote referee recruitment and participation, Region 87 has developed a Referee Points program.

Our referee points system is designed to help us achieve proper referee coverage for this current season, and to develop a large enough group of qualified referees for both younger and older games in the future. A point is earned for each referee (center referee) and assistant referee (AR, or "flags") assignment successfully completed. All teams are required to acquire 14 referee points per season. 

Teams must earn points to be eligible for things like tournaments and postseason championships.
Teams that do not meet their referee points thresholds will incur other penalties, based on their age group.

U8 and younger

For U8 and younger matches, the home coach is responsible for providing a referee for each match. If a badged, qualified, uniformed referee does not officiate the match, the home team will forfeit the match, and the teams may participate in a scrimmage if they wish.

U10

For U10 matches, the home coach is responsible for providing three (3) referees for each match. If a badged, qualified, uniformed center referee does not officiate the match, the home team will forfeit the match. If a badged, qualified, uniformed referee does not officiate the match, the home team will forfeit the match, and the teams may participate in a scrimmage if they wish.

 

U12 and older

For U12 and older matches, the home coach is responsible for providing three (3) referees for each match. If a badged, qualified, uniformed referee does not officiate the match, the home team will forfeit the match, and the teams may participate in a scrimmage if they wish.