“The Pursuit of Excellence”
Got Questions? We have answers!
Below are some of the most common questions Referees ask us. If you don’t see what you are looking for, you can email our
Club Schedule – clubscheduler@pocosoccer.com or our Referee Manager – refereemanager@pocosoccer.com
REFEREE REGISTRATION
In order to referee for PoCo Euro-rite FC, you must complete our club registration. This can be found at HERE. Your credentials will be verified through BC Soccer before any matches will be assigned.
You only need to register once. Your information will be kept on file from season to season. You must complete your annual Refresher Course/BC Socer Registration in order to keep receiveing game assignments.
For information on becoming a referee. or for the annual refresher course, see our Development & Courses Page.
REFEREE’S FAQ
Small-Sided Referees:
4 Field Sessions (all at Gates Park Turf 2 [front turf] from 7 – 8 pm):
- Friday October 13
- Friday November 17
- Friday January 19
- Friday February 9
5 Classroom Sessions (all at Port Coquitlam Community Centre):
- Wednesday October 4 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- Thursday November 16 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm
- 1 classroom session in each of: January, February, March
Entry Level (Youth and District) Referees:
BC Soccer Refresher Course – Please do your best to attend the classroom session (Beep Test is for referees interested in fitness and upgrading):
Classroom Session: Wednesday September 20 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre
Beep Test – Fitness: Friday September 22 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm at Gates Park Turf 2 (front turf)
4 Field Sessions (all at Gates Park Turf 2 [front turf] from 7:00 – 8:00 pm)
- Friday October 20
- Friday November 24
- Friday January 26
- Friday February 23
5 Classroom Sessions (all at Port Coquitlam Community Centre):
- Wednesday October 18 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm
- Thursday November 16 from 8:00 – 9:00 pm
- 1 classroom session in each of: January, February, March
North Fraser Youth Soccer Small-Sided Rules (U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13) for 2023-24:
(differences compared to BC Soccer rules: half length, number of players, retreat line, kick-in/throw in)
Click here for Small Sided Rules
U8 Kick-In & Dribble In diagram Click here
IFAB Laws of the Game – Including Law Changes (U14 – U18):
Boys generally play on Saturdays and Girls on Sundays.
Yes – as long as the games don’t conflict, you can referee the same day you play your own game.
You need to log into our GotSoccer Referee account and indicate your availability. All assignments will be done in the GotSoccer system, and you must accept them in the syste as well. Be sure that your availability is correct by Tuesday each week so that you can be assigned games.
Most U8 – U18 games take place at Gates Park. There may be some games scheduled at either Cedar Park or Evergreen Park on an infrequent basis.
North Fraser Youth Soccer Referee Fees (Revised U13 fees) for 2023-24 Click here
NEW!!!! Discipline Reporting Procedures for BC Coastal Soccer League (BCCSL) U11/12 Div 1&2 and all U13-18 Matches for 2023-24:
Referees must enter match reports and discipline reports using the following instructions
- Registration Link https://chilliwackfc.formstack.com/forms/bccsl_referee_registration
- Referee Portal log in (once registration has occurred using above link) https://bccoastalsoccerleague.ca/wp-login.php?redirect_to=/referee-portal/
- Referee portal help page https://bccoastalsoccerleague.ca/referee-portal-help/
The BCCSL Discipline Manager (Jackie Larson – jackielarson40@gmail.com) may contact you if any further reporting info is required (for a hearing).
REFEREE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
POCO Euro-Rite FC has a dedicated group of mentors who are overseen by our Referee Manager. The goal of our mentorship program is to mentor every POCO referee at least once per season with the focus being on beginner referees. POCO referee mentors offer both technical and practical feedback as well as offering a show of support to the wider soccer community.
To request a mentorship, please email our Referee Manager refereemanager@pocosoccer.com
DEVELOPMENT & COURSES
How Do I Become a Referee?
There are two ways to get started as a soccer referee: the small-sided clinic (minimum age 12), or the entry-level clinic (minimum age 14). There is no maximum age for either.
Poco Euro-Rite FC hosts a small-sided clinic, an entry-level clinic, and a refresher clinic at some time in August – September each year. Information will be updated below once dates are confirmed.
Small-Sided Games Referee Clinic
Successful completion of the Small-Sided Clinic certifies you as a Small-Sided game Head-Referee. All small-sided referee candidates must be 12 years of age before or on the date of the small-sided game clinic.
The small-sided clinic is hosted annually by the club (typically in early September), which qualifies you as a Small-Sided Referee. The Small-sided clinic is 7 – 8 hours. Registration is through BC Soccer Directly. Courses can be taken anywhere in BC, but taking the course within our club is recommended. BC Soccer lists all upcoming clinics on their website www.bcsoccer.net.
Entry-Level Clinic
The Entry-Level clinic is the entry point into the Provincial Referee program and may be taken by anyone age 14 or older on the day of the clinic. Successful completion of this course allows you to Referee or Assistant Referee on full sided games. If you are under 16, you are classified as a Youth Referee; if 16 or older, you are classified as a District Referee.
The goal of this three day clinic is to ensure that individuals who pass are capable to be either a Referee or an Assistant Referee in 11 a-side soccer. This is done with experienced referee instructors who use video educational material and practical on field sessions. The topics covered include, but are not limited to the Laws of the Game, Positioning, Signals, Administration of the game, and Pre-Match Preparation & Match Reporting.
NOTE: although this is not an official policy, new Youth or District referees with no prior small-sided refereeing experience can expect to start out the first season on U11/U12 matches and AR assignments.
The Entry-Level clinic may be taken anywhere; BC Soccer lists all upcoming clinics on their website www.bcsoccer.net. Registration is through BC Soccer directly.
Refresher Clinics
Small sided Referees must pass an online refresher course each year to renew their certification – there is no fee to renew. All Youth/District Entry Level and higher level referees must take an annual in person refresher clinic to maintain their certification. The cost of the clinic itself is free but you must then pay your annual registration fee to BC Soccer in order to register for this course. Important: If you do not register, pay and attend the refresher you may not be allowed by BC Soccer to officiate at any games.
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Current Courses
Small Sided Referee Clinic
Entry Level Referees
CONTACTS
PCEFC Referee Handbook (information about contacts, expectations, links to documents) Click here
Changes, Cancellations, Missing Referees
1) Weather related cancellations – ONLY the referee can cancel a match due to weather, and then only for safety reasons. You are expected to show up ready to play. If you feel conditions are unsafe for play, please discuss this with the referee before kicking off, and a decision can be made. Coaches are NOT to decide on weather related cancellations the morning of a scheduled match.
If the City closes our fields, you don’t need to do anything. We will take care of cancelling everything. Ref’s know to look each morning just like you. If you are playing a team from outside the club you need to call the other coach and let them know of the cancellation.
2) Cancellations in Advance – Cancellations in advance MUST be discussed with your coordinator beforehand. Doing this incorrectly can result in forfeitures and fines from the league. Coaches should not be cancelling games on their own. Once a decision has been made, please confirm with the club scheduler via clubscheduler@pocosoccer.com.
Referees for Exhibition Games
Referees for exhibition matches involving club teams may be requested or arranged through the club scheduler. The home team is responsible for field and referee costs, and is expected to pay the referee(s) directly in cash prior to the start of the match.
Referee Manager
Marco Arruda
refereemanager@pocosoccer.com
Referee observation, oversight of mentoring and assessment; conflicts and concerns; external school credit applications
Club Scheduler
Daniella Munroe
daniella.munroe@pocosoccer.com
First point of contact for all field and referee scheduling
