LENOX, Mass. -- The U.S. Soccer entry-level (Grade 8) Grassroots Referee course will be offered in Berkshire County in January.

 

The course is led by a U.S. Soccer-certified instructor and will include three parts. Students are required to complete the following:

 

1. Online Study Modules (approximately 4-6 hours work). To allow for verification, the modules must be completed a minimum 72 hours before classroom attendance.

 

2. Eight hours classroom attendance.

 

3. A test on the Laws of the Game - completed in the classroom, with a passing grade of 80 percent.

 

All three parts must be completed to certify

 

Note that U.S.-Soccer affiliated leagues can only assign U.S. Soccer-certified referees.

 

The classroom component will be held Sunday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, 445 Pittsfield Road.

 

Participants must be at least 14 years old on the day of the course. All participants must upload a full face, head and shoulders only, photo to their Massref account. Participants aged 17 and older as of Dec. 31 must also present a government issued photo id for validation.

 

Pre-payment is required for this course. The cost is $115, which includs registration, administration and course fees.

 

The Berkshire County Youth Soccer League offers an incentive to become certified. All new referees will receive a referee kit when an official completes 10 games for BCYSL. The league sends them a check for $50, once they submit their game log of completing the games.

 

The registration Letter showing your photo must be printed, signed and dated to be handed to the Instructor as proof of attendance.

 

For information email courseadministrator@massref.net.

 

More information is available at https://www.massref.net/Central/courseofferings.cfm