Welcome to AYSO Region 253 Serving the communities of Bentley, Halstead, Kechi, North Wichita, Park City, Sedgwick, Valley Center and Whitewater.
	Youth Referee Program Wanted: Great Kids who Love the Game In Region 253 we're looking for youth that enjoy the sport of soccer. If you're one of these people or you know someone who is, here's a great chance to become involved in the sport in a whole new way: being a referee. Learn to referee younger kids and help them enjoy soccer as much as you do. Youth referees are trained in clinics, along with adults, and get to referee real games. This is a fun way to earn community service hours for your school, while helping the younger kids enjoy the game. And, of course, it's also an excellent way to learn about the Laws of the Game of soccer.   Supporting our Youth as Referees It is important to remember that when a youth is refereeing a soccer match, he or she is an integral part of the official referee staff of our region. These youth represent future resources for AYSO and the greater community, and it is up to us - parents, coaches and fellow referees - to encourage, nurture and support them. We must give them the patience and positive reinforcement that is the cornerstone of AYSO. Every coach, player, and parent must keep in mind that the young referees working out there are our kids, and that we owe them the same, if not more, patience and respect than we give the players. And if you're a coach in a game where one of your spectators is being disruptive or challenging the youth referee's authority, you need to immediately intervene. Coaches, remember that the first line of responsibility for dealing with spectators rests with you.   Training for Youth Referees Youth referees learn the same material as the adults. They are required to attend one of the entry-level training courses (either the U5-U8 Clinic or the Regional Ref Clinic). And like the adults, they will be provided with all they need to begin refereeing; uniform, whistle etc. at the completion of their training. Contact Troy Strunk, the Regional Comissioner for Region 253, if you have any questions or are interested in participating. Zero Tolerance Policy on Youth Referee Abuse Youth development is the central focus of the AYSO program.  This includes development of youth whether they are soccer players or soccer referees.  All the AYSO guidelines and policies on providing a "Safe, Fair, and Fun" environment for players also apply to youth referees.  Only "Positive, Instructive, and Encouraging" comments are allowed to be directed at youth players or youth referees.  The purpose of this policy is to make clear that verbal abuse of youth referees is as unacceptable as verbal abuse of youth players and to adopt basic standard sanctions for improper conduct. This policy is not intended to imply that youth referees are always "right" and the adult spectator or coach is always "wrong".  Just as youth players will make mistakes during play, youth referees will make mistakes in officiating, particularly in the younger divisions where they are learning how to referee.  In addition, sometimes youth referees are "in over their head" because of a particularly challenging game, an assignment beyond their experience or comfort level, etc.
Last Updated 8/21/2007