In youth soccer, we spend countless hours talking about player development. We champion the long-term process—allowing players to fail, learn, grow, and improve over time. We praise coaches who nurture potential over winning at all costs and applaud clubs that emphasize individual progression over trophies. But when it comes to referees—especially youth referees—we seem to forget all those principles.
Why is it that a 14-year-old center midfielder is allowed to make a dozen mistakes in a match and still be seen as “developing,” while a 16-year-old referee is held to professional standards from their first whistle?
At OYSA, we’re grappling with this very contradiction. And in the current climate of referee shortages, rising parent aggression, and club-level pressures to win, the challenge has never been more urgent—or more complex.
The Double Standard of Development
We often hear from clubs, “We support referee development.” But that support is frequently undercut the moment a game result is perceived to have been affected by a young official’s decision. Suddenly, that referee is seen not as a developing learner, but as a threat to the team’s success. The irony is striking: a U13 player can miss five open chances, or misplay passes all game without raising an eyebrow, but one missed offside call from a young referee can lead to confrontations, complaints, and demands that “more experienced refs” be assigned.
This double standard is not just unfair – it’s counterproductive. Referees, like players, require time, experience, mentorship, and support to grow. Expecting perfection early in their careers only ensures we push them out before they have a chance to improve.
The Reality of the Referee Shortage
Adding to the pressure is the nationwide referee shortage, which Oregon is not immune to. While clubs understandably want experienced referees on every match, the reality is we simply don’t have enough of them. As a result, younger, less experienced referees are being placed in higher-stakes environments earlier and more frequently.
The intended model of “shadowing” or mentorship—where a seasoned referee guides a new one through the early stages of their career—is breaking down. The very referees we rely on to mentor the next generation are often being pulled to fill game slots themselves. They’re managing full weekends of match assignments, leaving little or no time to walk the sidelines with a whistle-in-training and provide the kind of feedback that truly builds skills and confidence.
This shortage has turned referee development from a structured process into more of a trial by fire. It’s not what we want, but it’s what we’re facing.
Clubs, Coaches, and the Culture of Winning
The lip service around development often falters in the face of results. For many clubs, the scoreboard still reigns supreme. It’s understandable—winning draws attention, funding, and reputation—but it creates a culture where the value of a young referee’s learning curve is seen as a threat, not a necessity.
We hear the frustrations: “That referee cost us the game,” or “We need refs who know what they’re doing.” But we also need to ask, are we creating an environment where it’s even possible for referees to get to the point of knowing what they’re doing?
Development, by nature, involves imperfection. If our soccer culture can’t tolerate mistakes from referees—especially youth referees—it’s not supporting development. It’s demanding immediate performance in a role that, arguably more than any other in the game, requires experience to master.
Societal Pressures and the Sideline Atmosphere
Another challenge we face is the general climate surrounding youth sports. Spectator behavior continues to be a top concern. The pressure, aggression, and scrutiny referees face from the sidelines—often from adults—would be difficult for anyone to manage. For teenagers just starting in the role, it can be overwhelming.
We’ve had referees tell us that they’re more nervous officiating a U11 game than they are taking a high school exam. Why? Because on that field, they’re being judged by parents, coaches, and even peers—often loudly, and sometimes cruelly.
We must ask ourselves: what kind of developmental environment are we creating when youth referees leave the field in tears, questioning whether they should ever come back?
OYSA is taking this seriously. We are actively investing in training programs, building partnerships for referee recruitment, and pushing for behavior reforms on the sidelines. But we can’t do it alone. Culture change requires everyone: clubs, coaches, parents, and players.
A Call for Balance
We’re not asking for lowered standards or unchecked tolerance of poor officiating. Referees, like players and coaches, must be accountable and work to improve. But we are asking for perspective.
A young referee who misses a call isn’t “ruining the game”—they’re learning. Just like your goalkeeper who misjudges a bounce, or your striker who scuffs a sitter, they’re gaining experience they can only get by being in the game.
If we want better referees, we must give them the time and space to become better. That means tolerating a learning curve. That means offering mentorship, not criticism. That means remembering that the referee is not the enemy, but a fellow part of the youth soccer ecosystem.
Moving Forward: What OYSA is Doing
At OYSA, we are committed to building a sustainable referee development pipeline. Here’s how:
- Mentorship Revamp: We’re going to be exploring alternative mentorship models that don’t rely solely on in-person shadowing. This includes video review, post-match debriefs via Zoom, and peer-referee communities where younger officials can learn from one another.
- Club Education: We’re launching targeted training for clubs and coaches on how to interact with referees—particularly young ones. Emphasizing communication, respect, and understanding of the developmental process is key.
- Spectator Behavior Initiatives: Working with clubs, we are piloting sideline management tools, including volunteer parent liaisons, clear signage, and increased reporting avenues for abuse or inappropriate behavior.
- Referee Retention Incentives: We’re also exploring rewards and recognition programs for referees who show commitment and growth, as well as clubs that demonstrate strong referee support practices.
It Takes a Village
Just as player development doesn’t rest solely on one coach, referee development cannot rest solely on OYSA. It takes a village. A youth referee’s journey is shaped by every club that hosts them, every coach that interacts with them, and every sideline that either supports or undermines them.
Let’s stop expecting perfection from our youngest referees while preaching patience with our youngest players. Let’s model the development culture we so often promote. Only then can we truly build the future of the game—from the touchline to the center circle.
