General Information
Interested in refereeing for this upcoming season? Please contact Jeremy Wood (jerwood18@gmail.com) for questions.
For new and returning referees, please see more information on the US Soccer Referee Program. It will have info on how to proceed and to ensure you are certified before the season starts. If you are a NEW referee, you will need to complete the online courses as well as attend an in-person course. To sign up or to ask questions please contact Jeremy.
Please note that the “Grade” associated with the referee title is not associated with what Grade you are in. Also note, your child has to be 13 years or older to become a referee.
Important Dates
Below are upcoming US Soccer/MNRSC Entry Referee Course Dates. Please visit the US Soccer Referee Program to register.
Hello Soccer Community,
If you are interested in becoming a soccer referee now is the best time of the year to pursue that.
Please consult the guidance of the Minnesota State Referee Committee on how to become a referee. If you are a returning referee, please consult their guidance on what you must do to recertify.
You must be at least 13 years old in order to be eligible for an in-person course and take the subsequent referee certification exam - both of which are required to become licensed and work matches.
Once you are licensed, I will then reach out to you and connect you to our game assignment software.
OSA does not compensate referees for completion of the course, or for the purchasing of referee equipment. We do, however, have a very competitive referee pay scale that is on par with leagues such as the TCSL.
Most referees are able recoup their initial expenses within a matter of a few games. Additionally, there are various tournament opportunities locally, regionally, and throughout the state.
The following are the in-person course dates/locations/times for 2026:
- March 14 - Plymouth - 3PM
- March 14 - Plymouth - 6PM
- March 15 - Chaska - 9AM
- March 15 - Chaska - 12PM
- March 21 - Rochester - 9AM
- March 21 - Rochester - 11:30AM
- March 21 - Waconia - 8:30AM
- March 21 - Waconia - 11:15AM
- March 22 - St. Cloud - 9:15AM
- March 22 - Lakeville - 4PM
- March 28 - Albert Lea - 9:15AM
- March 28 - Eagan - 11:15AM
- March 28 - Woodbury - 12PM
- March 29 - Mankato - 12PM
- March 29 - Mankato - 2:45PM
- April 4 - Rogers - 10:15AM
- April 11 - Stillwater - 1:30PM
- April 11 - Austin - 9:30AM
- April 12 - Minnetonka - 12:15PM
- April 12 - Hermantown - 12:30PM
- April 18 - Rogers - 2:15PM
- April 18 - Vadnais Heights - 7PM
- April 18 - Blaine - 3:30PM
- April 19 - Grand Rapids - 10AM
- April 19 - Blaine - 3:30PM
- May 3 - Blaine - 2:30PM
- May 9 - Detroit Lakes - 11:15PM
- May 9 - Blaine - 10:30AM
- May 9 - Blaine - 1:15PM
- May 17 - Blaine - 11:30AM
- May 17 - Blaine - 2:15 PM
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. Thank you!
Please contact Jeremy Wood (jerwood18@gmail.com) for questions.
Referee Abuse Policy
Owatonna Soccer Association would like to inform you of our new Referee Abuse policy.
This policy states that any person that displays any type of abuse towards a referee is subject to removal from the game area. Abuse can range from yelling at the referee for a bad call to physical abuse. Please pass this information on to your parents and guests. The policy will be available on our website.
One of the number one reasons referees do not return is the abuse shown towards them from parents and coaches at games. Please keep in mind that many of our referees are teenagers and are learning the game. Help us retain our referees by encouraging them, even if they make a mistake!
Payment Information
Below is the pay scale for the OSA refs:
Parks & Rec Refereeing
Additionally, if you are interested in refereeing for the Owatonna Parks and Recs Division, please visit the link below to apply:
