Greater Laurel United Soccer Club: Referee Policy
GLUSC Junior Referee Program
The Greater Laurel United Soccer Club is proud to provide employment opportunities for area youth through our Junior Referee Program.
The United States Soccer Federation has developed an entry level course for those who want to become a Licensed Referee. The course is normally 18 hours in length and generally runs six (6) sessions of three (3) hours each. Students are expected to attend all six sessions and can often make-up a missed class at an alternate course location. An exam is given during the final session in which all students must earn a grade of 75% or above to pass the course and become licensed. There is an annual licensing fee of $40 (subject to change) which all licensed referees must pay.
Additionally, there is a course fee of $25 which pays the instructor's fees and any administrative costs such as books and handouts. We recommend anyone considering becoming a licensed referee be at least 13 years of age prior to the start of the course.
Drop us an email at greaterlaurelunitedsoccerclub@gmail.com if you'd like more information on this program.
Saturday, June 18
The Greater Laurel United Soccer Club (GLUSC) uses only licensed referees. Many of these referees are former, or current GLUSC players.
The GLUSC has a Zero Tolerance policy for referee abuse. Dissent is not allowed. Only positive and encouraging comments are allowed to be directed at referees. Handling general dissent is part of a referee’ s job. If the referee appears to be managing the dissent appropriately, no intervention is necessary. However, all GLUSC members (coaches, other referees, and parents) shall, if necessary, intervene if a coach or spectator is verbally abusing a referee.All GLUSC members shall report any incident of abuse of referees to the Commissioner and the Referee Administrator. This report should happen within 24 hours of the incident if possible.
The Commissioner and the Referee Administrator, upon investigating the incident and after hearing from all parties, shall implement appropriate discipline before the next game if possible. The offending parent, spectator or coach, and Division Coordinator shall be notified of the disciplinary action.
The following are guidelines for disciplinary action:
a. Verbal abuse of a referee = 1 game/week suspension
Serious verbal abuse of a referee (e.g. using foul language) = 2 game/week suspension
b. Stepping onto the field or other threat to (by word or action) = 4 game/week suspension
c. A letter of apology and/or public apology to the players and parents is recommended
This policy only applies to the discipline of spectators and coaches. The policy does not apply to players. The Laws of the Game specify actions that can be taken, including a red card dismissal, for player misconduct that occurs anywhere, at any time.
