As sports begin to resume, the demand for referees is also on the rise. The global pandemic significantly impacted the workforce and students are taking on the job.
Soccer is a popular sport for student referees. Reffing can be a good source of income for students while also keeping them engaged in a sport they love.
“I started reffing because it was a good way to make money,” said senior Taj Gadiraju. “Because I play soccer, I already knew most of the rules, so I didn’t need to learn much extra. I also already knew what reffing entailed so that gave me a head start on becoming [one].”
In order to get certified, students need to complete an online course.
“I started reffing over quarantine when my friends and soccer club pushed me to,” said sophomore Enya Yuan. “It was simple to get started and as soon as I got my online certification, I was set to ref.”
“Seeing their energy and determination in a sport I love fills me up with joy”
Not only is reffing an enjoyable way for athletes to make money, but the activity is also not too time-consuming.
“If I see that I have an empty morning, I can go on PenSRA [Peninsula Soccer Referees Association], the referee organization’s website, and search for games,” Yuan said.
Student referees hold power and responsibility as they are in charge of keeping the players in check and making game-changing decisions.
“I have to maintain a constant flow of the game because each second counts in soccer,” Gadiraju said. “On top of that, I make sure that the players, coaches and parents are respectful throughout the game because it is youth soccer. Other than that, I always stay impartial and try to make the right calls.”
Referees also had a responsibility to enforce the mask policy before the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention removed the outdoor mandate for vaccinated people in April.
“[Before], I was making sure the [players] wore masks during the game and that [they] didn’t have their masks off unless they weren’t near others or getting water,” Gadiraju said.
“One time when reffing a game, the coach came into the field and almost attacked me because he didn’t like a call I made”
Now that masks are no longer required, it makes the job of a referee a little bit easier. However, there are other difficulties that come with the position.
“One time when reffing a game, the coach came into the field and almost attacked me because he didn’t like a call I made,” said senior Alex Neve. “Some of the parents from the other team rushed on the field and almost started a fight.”
In addition, time-consuming schoolwork and other extracurriculars can limit students’ availability.
“I enjoy making money and getting to watch soccer at the same time, but I dislike that I can only ref on weekends,” Neve said.
Gadiraju, on the other hand, doesn’t mind being restricted to weekend games.
“I [like reffing] for the younger generations every weekend,” Gadiraju said. “Seeing their energy and determination in a sport I love fills me up with joy.”
Despite the conflicts they may face, student referees get rewarding experiences from overseeing a sport they love.
