Written by Wyatt Gustafson
In the passionate world of football, players and coaches often capture the limelight. Yet, behind every great game, there's an unsung hero ensuring fairness and adherence to the rules: the referee. For those intrigued by the idea of wearing the iconic black and white stripes, let's embark on the journey from starting as a youth league referee to making calls on the grand NFL stage.
The Humble Beginnings: Youth League Football
Every accomplished referee's story begins somewhere, often on the fields of youth league football. It's here that the basics are learned, and the love for the role is kindled. These games, centered around learning and fun, offer the perfect training ground. Aspiring referees typically begin their education with local league training programs. While certification isn't always mandatory at this level, it can provide a competitive edge and lay the foundation for future advancements. Financially, youth league referees can expect to earn between $35 to $120 per game, depending on the league and location.
Elevating the Game: High School Football
With some experience under their belt, referees often progress to the more competitive realm of high school football. The rules become intricate, and the spotlight slightly brighter. Advanced training becomes paramount to grasp the nuances. In many states, certification becomes mandatory to officiate these matches. Networking, too, plays a pivotal role. By joining local referee associations, upcoming referees can secure assignments and gain invaluable insights from seasoned professionals. Compensation sees a bump at this stage, with referees potentially earning $75 to $200 per game.
The Big Leagues: College Football
As one steps onto the college football turf, the stakes escalate. With games that attract regional, if not national attention, the pressure mounts. Referees often undergo specialized training, sometimes through college officiating camps, to prep for this level. With multiple divisions in college football, from D3 to the coveted D1, referees have to consistently prove their mettle. Regular performance evaluations ensure only the best stay on top. The financial rewards increase in tandem with the challenges. While a D3 game might offer a few hundred dollars, officiating a D1 match can command over $2,000.
The Dream Stage: NFL
For many referees, the NFL represents the zenith of their aspirations. However, this stage is not for the faint-hearted. The journey to the NFL demands years of dedication, with most referees boasting at least a decade of high-level college officiating experience. The NFL actively seeks out the top talents from the college circuits, offering them intensive training opportunities. At this elite level, every call is under the microscope, making consistency and accuracy more crucial than ever.
From the grassroots of youth leagues to the grandeur of the NFL, the journey of a football referee is one of dedication, learning, and passion. And for those who make it to the top, the rewards &ndash; both financial and in terms of prestige &ndash; are truly monumental.

Climbing the Ladder: A Referee’s Journey from Youth Football to the NFL

Written By Noah Katz
&nbsp;
Being an umpire for baseball is a fantastic part-time opportunity. When I was 16, I began umpiring at the very little league where I once played. Unlike my peers who were busy with restaurant or convenience store jobs, I was on the baseball field, thoroughly enjoying my role, and earning $50 for every game.
&nbsp;
Juggling a hectic high school and college schedule, I found umpiring to be the perfect part-time job. Interestingly, when discussing our jobs with friends, I discovered that many, even those passionate about baseball, were unaware they could take up umpiring. Meanwhile, the little league I served and others nationwide grappled with a significant shortage of umpires. This led to the cancellation of thousands of games due to the lack of available umpires. While I managed to convince a handful of friends to join the league as umpires, the shortage persisted. Hence, a year ago, armed with my iPhone and accompanied by my 13-year-old brother, I revisited that familiar little league field. I shot a 30-second video emphasizing how umpiring is a lucrative part-time job that offers both fulfillment and joy, all while being immersed in baseball. This clip garnered 300,000 views, paving the way for The Umpire Channel.
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Today, The Umpire Channel stands as the premier destination for all things related to umpiring, boasting 120,000 followers and over 50 million views across various social media channels. My journey has allowed me to collaborate with umpires globally, ranging from Little League to the MLB, echoing the same sentiment: umpiring is a fantastic part-time job.
&nbsp;
As The Umpire Channel keeps expanding and aims to alleviate the global umpire shortage, we're thrilled to collaborate with Refr Sports. Their software platform provides a solution to the current logistical challenges faced in the umpiring and refereeing scheduling process. Together, we aspire to shine a light on the incredible world of umpiring, with the ultimate goal of resolving the umpire shortage once and for all.

Noah Katz - The Umpire Behind The Channel

Written by Wyatt Gustafson
When you're at a sports game, it's easy to sit in the stands or on your cozy couch, munching on popcorn, and confidently declare, "The referees need glasses!" It's a classic line, often accompanied by passionate arm-waving, but let's set the record straight: those referees aren't in dire need of an eye exam. In fact, being a sports referee is an incredibly challenging gig that requires far more than just 20/20 vision.
First of all, let's address the elephant in the room - the boisterous crowd. The roar of fans, each with their own opinion on what's happening on the field, can be deafening. Imagine trying to concentrate on making the right call when you have a cacophony of voices yelling contradictory things in your ears. Referees have the enviable task of not only deciphering the rules but also filtering out the noise from the peanut gallery.
Then there's the matter of coaches. These folks aren't exactly known for their zen-like demeanor during games. They're on the sideline, gesticulating wildly, shouting instructions (often with a tinge of frustration), and generally doing their best to persuade the referee that the world is ending with every decision. Referees must walk a tightrope, managing the opinions of the coaches without letting them cloud their judgment. It's like trying to referee a game while simultaneously running a diplomatic mission.
But the challenges don't stop there. Picture this: a basketball court filled with towering athletes sprinting down the court, executing plays with lightning speed. In soccer, a ball whizzes around at breakneck pace. In football, bodies collide with the force of a freight train. Referees are not just trying to keep up with the action; they're also trying to anticipate it. They need to be in the right place at the right time, like a ninja in stripes.
And then there's the whole "behind the play" aspect. While all eyes are on the ball, referees must have the uncanny ability to detect what's happening away from it. Are players engaging in some extracurricular activities when the ref's not looking? Is there a sneaky handball or a sly foul happening away from the spotlight? Referees must have eyes in the back of their heads, or at least a very keen sense of peripheral vision.
But here's the kicker - referees are human. They make mistakes. They can't slow down the game, rewind, and analyze every play from multiple angles like we can at home. They must make split-second decisions that can change the course of a game. So before you blame the ref for your team's loss, remember that they're doing their best in an incredibly challenging job.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges, there's a reason people become sports referees. They're passionate about the game, dedicated to upholding its integrity, and determined to ensure fair play. It takes a special kind of person to willingly subject themselves to the scrutiny of fans, players, and coaches, all while making split-second decisions under immense pressure.
So, the next time you're watching your favorite sports team and feel the urge to shout, "The referees need glasses!" take a moment to appreciate the difficult job they do. Remember that they're not just seeing the game; they're feeling it, hearing it, and navigating a minefield of opinions and emotions.&nbsp;

No, the Referees Do Not Need Glasses

Written by Wyatt Gustafson
The amateur sports market in the United States has experienced a surge in popularity, with local leagues and regional tournaments drawing in enthusiastic athletes and fans alike. Amidst this growth, the demand for competent and reliable referees has never been higher. These unsung heroes play a crucial role in upholding the spirit of sportsmanship, ensuring fair play, and maintaining the integrity of the games. However, the referee industry, predominantly comprised of 1099 workers (independent contractors responsible for their tax obligations and work arrangements), faces challenges in keeping up with the evolving sports landscape. The industry must embrace gig economy solutions and leverage the role of referee assignors to modernize and meet the demands of the growing sports market.
The amateur sports referee ecosystem has a key player&mdash;the referee assignor or scheduler. Sports organizations often assign their referee needs to these assignors, who then take on the responsibility of finding, managing, and paying referees for various events and games. This intermediary role is vital as it streamlines the process of coordinating referees and ensures that events are adequately staffed with qualified officials.
However, the referee industry has been slow to adopt gig economy solutions and modern technologies, and this hesitation has also affected the role of referee assignors. Most amateur sports organizations have a long list of priorities ahead of optimizing management with technology, causing them to continue to operate under antiquated systems. Consequently, their referee assignors must continue to rely on traditional, manual methods for recruiting and scheduling referees, which can lead to inefficiencies and communication challenges.
The gig economy, with its emphasis on flexible work arrangements and temporary contracts, has revolutionized various industries. Companies like Uber and Airbnb have embraced gig economy models, using digital platforms to connect workers with consumers efficiently. In the referee industry, gig economy solutions can be applied to the role of referee assignors. By implementing digital platforms for referee recruitment, scheduling, and communication, referee assignors can streamline their processes, ensuring that sports organizations can access qualified referees whenever and wherever they are needed.
Through gig economy solutions, referee assignors can efficiently match referees with sports events based on availability, skills, and location. Referees can update their availability and preferences on the platform, and assignors can quickly find suitable referees for specific games, avoiding scheduling conflicts and ensuring proper coverage.
Furthermore, gig economy solutions can offer benefits to referees as well. Referees can have greater flexibility in choosing the events they want to officiate, making it easier to balance their passion for sports officiating with other commitments. Additionally, digital platforms can simplify payment processes, ensuring that referees are compensated promptly and fairly for their services.
Embracing gig economy solutions and modern technologies for referee assignors can enhance job opportunities for referees and improve overall efficiency within the industry. By optimizing referee recruitment and scheduling processes, sports organizations can ensure fair play, safety, and an exceptional experience for all participants in amateur sports events.
In conclusion, the amateur sports market in the United States continues to grow, necessitating an evolution in the referee industry. The adoption of gig economy solutions, particularly for referee assignors, can streamline the process of coordinating referees for various events. By leveraging modern technologies, the referee industry can ensure that qualified referees are readily available, facilitating fair play and maintaining the integrity of the games we love. It is time for the referee industry to embrace change, enriching the sporting landscape and leaving a lasting mark on the future of amateur sports.

Embracing Gig Economy Solutions and Referee Assignors for Fair Play

Written by AJ Condon
Some of the best memories sports lovers have growing up come from playing the sports they love with their closest friends. There are a lot of factors that go into being able to play those sports, but one of the most overlooked parts of them is referees.
Being a referee is a critical role that allows for athletes to be able to play the sports they love and it is a well-paying and easy job, it just isn&rsquo;t well-known.
Refr Sports is a new company trying to bring together sports coordinators and referees with the help of accessible technologies.&nbsp;
In many adolescents' early life, playing sports is a key factor in <a class="x-el x-el-a c2-37 c2-38 c2-50 c2-j c2-k c2-51 c2-m c2-52 c2-3 c2-3b c2-3c c2-3d c2-3e" href="https://refrsports.com/blog/f/the-importance-of-sports-for-the-youth" rel="">learning many important skills as they develop</a> from a child into a young adult. Learning communication skills, building relationships, and taking leadership roles are just a few of the countless experiences kids can take away from playing sports.
However, there are sometimes factors outside of the kids&rsquo; control and even outside of the parents&rsquo; control that prohibit their ability to play. The current system that sports coordinators are using to schedule and pay referees is behind and it causes unnecessary problems to derive.&nbsp;
"We noticed the referee market is huge, but they're still using outdated methods that haven't been updated in decades. There are checks in the mail, scheduling is being done using Excel spreadsheets, and there's a lack of communication and freedom for both parties" co-founder Wyatt Gustafson said.
Referees play a huge role in sporting events solely for the fact that in many circumstances, they are needed for the completion of the game. So, if a referee doesn&rsquo;t show up, the game is in jeopardy of being canceled.
That&rsquo;s where Refr Sports comes in to help.&nbsp;
&ldquo;One of the things that sucked, being a kid, was showing up to a game I was anticipating all day at school and a referee not showing up, or there being a problem." co-founder Huck Sorock said.
Refr Sports helps make it more efficient and effective for both sports coordinators and referees to fix scheduling issues. On all levels, the two co-founders have seen issues, both firsthand, and while talking to sports coordinators.
Sorock took a gap year after high school to play juniors and used it as a learning experience.
"In (my year at Boston) I spent a lot of time talking with the referees while playing, and (while) on the bench. A lot of referees were telling me about the struggle they had with getting paid and scheduling issues. That's how the idea (of Refr Sports) popped into my head," Sorock said.
On top of the issues within sports scheduling, there are other factors that have caused the referee industry to struggle.
In an article written by the New York Times, it talked about how the number of referees has declined from 2018-2021. The cause of this is from parents, coaches, and even players causing a toxic environment and scaring away potential recruits. The pandemic didn&rsquo;t help either as many referees decided they didn&rsquo;t want to return to the hardship of refereeing.
That has brought the idea to Refr Sports of trying to target a younger generation of referees.&nbsp;
"Our goal is to bring a younger demographic into refereeing. If we are targeting 15-35-year-olds, naturally, it might help some of the problems relating to the toxic environment that referees are placed in," Sorock said.
By getting a younger demographic into the industry it will allow for more athletes and their parents to understand what it takes to be a referee. The more understanding the athletes and their families are of the profession, the less toxicity the industry will feel.
That also means transitioning the industry into a more user-friendly and mobile-first approach. Refr Sports is trying to do just that. Make it easier for sports coordinators to adapt to this new approach that connects them with the younger demographic.
"The referee industry isn't user-friendly for our generation. By bringing that technology, building a mobile platform, and then making it accessible to anybody, we can change that." Gustafson said.
There is still a lot of work to be done in this industry, but Refr Sports is trying to do what it can to give kids the best experience while playing sports. Creating a company often is about making money, but for Refr Sports, it&rsquo;s about solving a problem that has long plagued an industry that is near and dear to many.
"We're hoping that we can be the leading factor in transitioning this marketplace into something that's a little more modern, a little more accessible for everyone. The modern generation loves &lsquo;gig&rsquo; jobs that they can do anywhere at any time, take DoorDash as an example of this," Gustafson said.
To learn more about what Refr is doing, check out their website at&nbsp;<a class="x-el x-el-a c2-37 c2-38 c2-50 c2-j c2-k c2-51 c2-m c2-52 c2-3 c2-3b c2-3c c2-3d c2-3e" href="http://www.refrsports.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.refrsports.com</a>

Why Refr Sports

Written by AJ Condon
The importance of playing sports as a kid is high when looking at the benefits children gain from them. Life lessons, staying active and even meeting new friends are all takeaways that kids of all ages can get from playing sports.
Refr Sports is looking to change the referee market and make it easier for sports coordinators and referees to schedule the needed refs. In turn, fewer games and matches will see postponements or even cancellations which will allow kids to benefit the most from sports.
The life lessons that young athletes can learn in sports are endless, but that&rsquo;s not to say it&rsquo;s the only way to learn them. In almost every sport, kids are on teams which can require athletes of different backgrounds to come together and play as a unit.
Kids will quickly learn the importance of building relationships, working together as well as learning about different cultures. All three of these lessons and skills are important not just in sports, but also later in life when they start looking for their first part-time job or even their career.
Inside a team, more commonly the older you get, there are a few athletes that take a leadership role. Becoming a captain can be a huge responsibility and teach you hard lessons such as being a role model, holding teammates accountable, and helping your fellow teammates become the best athlete and people they can be.
The exciting part about playing sports is anyone can learn those lessons regardless of captainship. Being on a team is about learning from one another and being able to grow as a unit. Seeing that there are positives to take away in all situations, whether you&rsquo;re winning a championship, or finishing up a winless season.
When scheduling problems occur, and referees either don&rsquo;t show up or aren&rsquo;t scheduled correctly, it takes away from the kid's ability to learn these important lessons.
Another important part of playing youth sports is the ability to keep kids active as much as possible. The CDC recommends that kids should be active for at least 60 minutes every single day. An hour doesn&rsquo;t seem like much, but when there are so many distractions that kids have these days, it&rsquo;s easy for them to miss out on their fitness.
Playing sports allows kids to get their recommended physical activity through practices, weight lifting, and games or matches. After sitting in a classroom for seven to eight hours a day, after-school sports can be an easy way for kids to knock out their 60 minutes of activity before dinner time.
Outside of the lessons to be learned, and the physical benefits of playing sports, it also gives kids the opportunity to meet new people who can become life-long friends.&nbsp;
There are plenty of ways for kids to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime, but playing sports can be an easy way to find those friends. By playing sports it gives them the opportunity to build relationships and spend more and more time with their friends, or even make new ones.
It also allows them to have healthy competition with each other while trying to better the team as a whole. They&rsquo;ll work hard together and bond over experiences in practice and games. When playing for a team, forces kids to cooperate with one another and teaches them to be less selfish.
Though the referee problem doesn&rsquo;t take away bonding experiences in practices and training, it won&rsquo;t allow kids to put what they learn on the field.&nbsp;
With Refr Sports, cancellations and postponements will become fewer and fewer as sports coordinators find it easier to get the necessary refs on site.

The importance of sports for the youth

Written by AJ Condon
Being a referee isn&rsquo;t an easy job, but it&rsquo;s a necessary position for the completion of youth sports at all levels.&nbsp;
Recently there has been a referee shortage due to a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a hostile environment that parents, coaches, and players are creating. That results in cancellations and missed opportunities for kids to play the sport they love.
Becoming a referee isn&rsquo;t a hard process and it allows individuals to help kids develop life lessons and uphold the integrity of sports. However, the toxic environment that has been created makes the industry the opposite of a hot commodity.
At the high school level, signing up to become a referee is as easy as going to their website. They ask you for some basic contact information and to select the sports you are interested in. After that, someone from your local High School Athletic Association will contact you for further instruction.
Lower levels for referees will most likely require some form of class or training to get started, but age requirements are younger. Being high school athletes, students can become a referee of youth sports to make money on the side, give back to the community and also allow their parents to hear first-hand what being a referee is like.
The hope with high school athletes becoming referees is that parents will understand more of what it takes to be a referee. Then, when they go watch their kids at the high school level, they will have more sympathy for the referees on site going forward.
The job is very demanding and takes a lot of pressure the higher you go in the industry. But, it is important for the industry to continue to grow to give kids of all ages the same opportunities of playing sports as long as they want.&nbsp;
The pay for being a referee varies from state to state and sport to sport, but it isn&rsquo;t uncommon for a starting referee to be making $25-$35 an hour. The higher up you go, and the more qualifications you have, the higher your pay can and will be.
Playing youth sports is very important to a kid&rsquo;s development in many ways. Staying active, building relationships and teamwork are a few of the positives to take away from sports.
So how can the referee industry become more approachable and appealing for people to get into? Refr Sports is trying to tackle that with its new mobile application.
Refr Sports is creating a modernized system that makes scheduling referees easier for both sports coordinators and referees. The app will allow coordinators to be transparent about time, location, play, and requirements, while referees will be able to clearly see what is needed and how much they will be compensated.

Being a referee; an important industry that’s declining

The sports industry in the United States cycles billions of dollars a year, and a large portion of that is going to a profession that is usually unthought of by many. This profession of course is being a referee. It is a profession where an individual can sign up and start making $50+ an hour within a matter of days. A large portion of the demand for referees is coming from the youth sports industry. The youth sports industry alone in the United States consists of millions of athletes, which in turn produces hundreds of thousands of games annually that require referees. Due to this massive sports economy, professions in the industry can be incredibly lucrative, especially for referees.
How Much Money Do Football Referees Make
On a professional level, NFL referees can make up to $12,000 per game. However, becoming a professional NFL official is not an easy task. If you wish to enter this field at a starting position you are looking at a considerably lower average. Most High school football officials and referees are paid on a game-to-game basis. This amount varies across the United States based on things like the cost of living and how many referees are needed based on supply and demand. According to&nbsp;<a class="x-el x-el-a c2-37 c2-38 c2-50 c2-j c2-k c2-51 c2-m c2-52 c2-3 c2-3b c2-3c c2-3d c2-3e" href="https://www.indeed.com/" rel="">Indeed.com</a>, a job, and industry monitoring website, the average hourly rate for a football referee is $16.26 per hour. Again, considering how much money referees make in football, a lot of it comes down to location and qualifications.
How Much Money Do Hockey Referees Make
An NHL referee can make up to $388,000 a year. An impressive figure but likely not what most of our readers are pursuing. This figure means that NHL referees likely make between $1000 and $4000 every single game. While our reader may be looking for an entry-level position it is still interesting to see where it can take you. Referees at the youth hockey level can generate up to $70 per game. On an hourly basis, youth officials typically make $25-$35 per hour.
How Much Money Do Basketball Referees Make
An NBA-caliber referee is making $500,000 dollars a year. This is the equivalent of $3000-$6000 per game. As you go lower in the tiers of skill level the average amount per game drops. In Division 3, college-level referees make $125 a game while the youth basketball referees or entry-level referees for basketball make considerably less at only $60 per game.
How Much Money Do Baseball Umpires Make
MLB umpires start at an entry-level $150,000 but can make up to $450,000 after gaining more experience. However, due to the number of games played in the MLB, the umpires make considerably less than the NFL referees. With fewer games being played, NFL referees are often pulling in up to $12,000 per game while MLB umpires are closer to $1,500. At a youth level, baseball umpiring can be more profitable however than other sports. They can make up to $80 per game based on supply and demand however, averages are around $50 per game.
How To Become A Sports Official Today
For one who desires to become a sports official, it only takes a matter of days until you can be making money for officiating events. The first step is going to be deciding which sport you want to officiate based on your skills and the benefits provided to officials in the particular sport.&nbsp;
The next step is going to be doing some research about how an official within that sport gets certified locally. For example, in Minneapolis Minnesota, there is a massive youth hockey market, so getting certified to be a USA Hockey referee would be a smart idea. To learn how to get certified to be a USA Hockey referee&nbsp;<a class="x-el x-el-a c2-37 c2-38 c2-50 c2-j c2-k c2-51 c2-m c2-52 c2-3 c2-3b c2-3c c2-3d c2-3e" href="https://refrsports.com/blog/f/how-to-become-a-hockey-referee" rel="">check out this article</a>&nbsp;written by Refr Sports.
Regardless of where you are located and what sports you have knowledge of, there will be an opportunity for you locally to officiate. If you have any questions about becoming an official please check out our platform and <a class="x-el x-el-a c2-37 c2-38 c2-50 c2-j c2-k c2-51 c2-m c2-52 c2-3 c2-3b c2-3c c2-3d c2-3e" href="https://refrsports.com/join-us" rel="">get connected</a>&nbsp;today.

How much money do referees make

For a long time, many sports organizations have been dealing with a nationwide referee shortage. Covid 19, the need to adopt modern technologies, and abuse from fans and parents have all led to a severe dip in the supply of professional officiators. This has given rise to unique concerns among many sports organizations, as they worry that there might not be a referee for their next game. What's more, this scarcity exists in all sports, at all levels of the profession, regardless of the certification process and required skills.
Which Sports Are Being Impacted&nbsp;
Some sports however are being impacted more than others. There has been a major hockey referee shortage as USA Hockey has communicated that they have experienced a retention rate of hockey referees annually of around 60%. There also seems to be a baseball and football referee shortage as well, as their numbers come in around the same. What these sports all have in common is that they are expensive and actively require officials to make calls that drastically impact the game.
Inevitably, the amount a parent will spend on their child's athletic endeavor will be proportional to the parent's interest in that player's sporting season. If a referee hands out a three-game suspension to a hockey player whose parent has paid $10,000 for season fees there may be backlash. Not only will this kid miss a portion of their $10,000 season, but the opposing team will also get a 5-minute power play, which is a huge in-game advantage. Sports like football and baseball offer similar scenarios.&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s Causing The Nationwide Referee Shortage
When an industry is struggling to deal with entry-level employees at career-rate pay, there's a serious flaw. So, what could be the cause? Is its outdated technology and employment methods in the sector? Or perhaps abusive behavior between coaches and players and their parents? Is it the long unorganized certification processes needed to become a referee? We believe that the correct answer is a mix of it all.&nbsp;
The referee industry is currently stuck using antiquated technologies that have not been updated since the beginning of the internet era. Because of this, the industry is truly lacking essentials and missing many opportunities to become more efficient -- efficiency that can be provided by modern technologies and an improved job-seeking system. The employment methods are a bit outdated, too. Referees are still assigned work through third-party schedulers rather than being able to select their own schedule, as one can on a platform like Uber or Doordash.
Referees face a lot of abuse from the peanut gallery at sporting events. Regardless of whether an athletic referee does well, the other half of the crowd will accuse him or her of being blind or narrow-minded, or cognitively inadequate. Perhaps verbal abuse has been so intense that it would not make sense to earn a living from the profession with what things are at present.&nbsp;
Above all, it isn't easy to become a referee, the barrier of entry is relatively high compared to some other entry-level jobs. Referees in some sports must complete several-hour training courses, exams, seminars, and in-person skills assessments. Perhaps the aspiring referee has decided that it's easier to start making money at a job that requires less up-front work.&nbsp;
The Solution to the Referee Shortage&nbsp;
The sporting world is not going to perish. Nevertheless, despite the numerous challenges that have arisen in the present hockey referee shortage as well as with other sports, we firmly believe that these issues are easily solvable. The first step is going to be introducing new technologies to the referee industry that make it easier for referees to navigate their independent careers. The world has seen this happen in the food delivery industry, the transportation industry, and the freelance industry. The referee industry needs to make it easy for the referee to sign up, find work, and get paid.
The next problem that needs to be tackled is solving the abuse that referees constantly face. Perhaps the solution to this is to put our job-seeking teenage athletes in referee positions. This will create new referee jobs, allow the youth to make some extra money on the side, and most importantly it will allow the kids' parents to know and hear from a referee on a personal level.&nbsp;
Refr Sports has the technology available to connect qualified sports officials with sports venues and organizations, effectively providing a simple solution to the referee shortage. If you are interested in signing up as a referee or need a referee for your sporting event, please feel free to contact us!&nbsp;

The nationwide referee shortage

You may be wondering how an American gets certified for the sport of hockey, or how to become a hockey referee within the various leagues prevalent here. The United States has a wide assortment of hockey athletes, college and division levels, and pro teams. USA Youth hockey alone features more than 220,000 players and about 16,000 referees.&nbsp;
<img src="https://directus.refrsports.com/assets/e9cbd38f-b3f4-4e15-b9de-fe43ab9da913?width=200&amp;height=200" alt="Become a Referee">
So how do you become an NHL referee, exactly? Becoming certified as a hockey referee begins with enrolling in a certification course. When it comes to sports in the United States, USA Hockey is a basic venue. You can discover alternatives, including getting certified by your municipal agency, from the local park board, or through crowd-sourced sports like adult leagues.
Certifications through different organizations require different levels of commitment and therefore provide different benefits. As stated, USA Hockey is the largest hockey organization in the world, so getting certified through them will provide a referee with an abundance of games to work on.&nbsp;
More local certification, like through a park will require less time. However, it will likely provide less freedom for games to work since the league is smaller. Regardless of which organization an aspiring referee may decide to get certified through and work their games, the certification process is very straightforward.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="x-el x-el-h2 c2-5g c2-5h c2-j c2-k c2-3f c2-1w c2-1x c2-1y c2-2m c2-3 c2-5i c2-2f c2-q c2-5j c2-5k c2-5l c2-5m">Officiating Ice Hockey: What Are The Steps?</h2>
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How to become a hockey referee will vary depending on the organization one is getting certified through. However, there are many similarities between the organizations. The USA hockey certification process is the most extensive one we have found and yet it still allows for aspiring hockey referees to be able to hit the ice for their first games in a matter of days.&nbsp;
Since USA Hockey is the largest hockey league, their brief certification process is outlined. &nbsp;
1. Create a membership account through their organization
2. Complete an online Safesport Training module&nbsp;
3. Complete a USA Hockey background screening&nbsp;
4. Complete online video modules that teach key refereeing skills&nbsp;
5. Complete un-timed, open-book rules and playbook exam&nbsp;
6. Attend a local USA Hockey classroom seminar&nbsp;
Once these steps are completed by an individual, they will receive their USA Hockey referee card and sweater crest, now ruling them an official USA Hockey Referee.&nbsp;
Officiating Levels In Hockey
Most organizations have a level system that keeps track of how experienced and skilled hockey referees are. This leveling system helps an organization assign specific referees to certain age groups of games based on a referee's capabilities. Hockey officials that fall under the largest hockey governing body, USA Hockey, can obtain different qualification levels.&nbsp;
USA hockey currently has four different levels of referees, which they use to ensure they are assigning referees with enough experience to certain games. For example, a level three or higher qualification is required for working a high school hockey game, whereas only a level one is required to work a 10u game.&nbsp;
In most cases, the higher-level games come with more compensation, so a referee should desire to work up the leveling ranks to make their profile available to games that provide higher pay. Regardless of the organization that one is officiating within, leveling up will require in-game experience and further certification training.&nbsp;
The National Hockey League is the most desirable league for a hockey referee, providing annual compensation as high as $388,000. Most individuals who set out on learning how to become a hockey referee don&rsquo;t realize the potential, but the above figure is very attainable with hard work and dedication to the craft.&nbsp;
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<h3 class="x-el x-el-h3 c2-5g c2-5h c2-j c2-k c2-1v c2-1w c2-1x c2-1y c2-2m c2-3 c2-3h c2-3i c2-q c2-3j c2-3k c2-3l c2-3m">Interested In Becoming A USA Hockey Certified Referee?</h3>
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As stated, the process above is one of the more extensive certification processes within hockey referee certifications. The Refr Sports certification process is similar to the one illustrated in this guide. However, we have condensed many of the steps into a single, more straightforward step.&nbsp;
If you are interested in becoming a certified referee or are a game organizer and need recommendations for referees,&nbsp;<a class="x-el x-el-a c2-37 c2-38 c2-50 c2-j c2-k c2-51 c2-m c2-52 c2-3 c2-3b c2-3c c2-3d c2-3e" href="https://refrsports.com/join-us" rel="">reach out</a>&nbsp;to us so we can discuss the best option for you.

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