Referee Information

2026 Referee Clinics

Small Sided Referee (Born 2012–2013)

Entry-level clinic for new referees officiating U10 and U12 matches (and serving as assistant referees for older youth games).

Clinic Details (Nelson):

  • Hosted by NSA – March 29, 9:00am–4:00pm
  • Nelson Indoor Facility, 308 Cedar Street
  • Cost: $72.71
  • Register by March 15 on the BC Soccer Ref Centre (Clinic #2414) [LINK]
  • Complete online exam (5–7 hrs study) 48 hours before clinic

Requirements:

  • Officiate a minimum of 10 spring season games
  • Returning referees (born 2012) complete online test + $19.46 activation fee

Entry Level Referee (Born 2011 & Older)

Certification for 11-a-side soccer. Graduates become Youth Referees (15) or District Referees (16+).

Clinic Details (Nelson):

  • Hosted by NSA – March 28 (in-person session)
  • Cost: $161.96
  • Register by March 15 on the BC Soccer Ref Centre (Clinic #2413 – Rockies  region) [LINK]
  • Complete 9 SmarterU online modules (5–7 hrs) 48 hours before clinic

Requirements:

  • Officiate a minimum of 10 spring season games

Returning Referees

All referees must complete an annual refresher to remain active, as required by the Canadian Soccer Association and BC Soccer.

  • Register through the Ref Centre [LINK]
  • Choose classroom (includes fitness test for promotion) or self-guided option
  • Refresher fee: $72.93
  • Referees are expected to average one game per week during the season

Additional clinics may be available throughout the West Kootenays.

Payment for referees:

Outdoor Youth Leagues:

U10 – $25.00 per game
U12 – $30.00 per game
U13+ – $50.00 per game and $25.00 for assistant referees

Outdoor Adult Leagues:

Women’s Open- $60.00 per game and $30.00 for assistant referees
Men’s Masters – $60.00 per game and $30.00 for assistant referees
Men’s Open – $80.00 per game and $40.00 for assistant referees
Co-ed Open – $60.00 per game and $30.00 for assistant referees

Indoor Adult Leagues:

Women’s Open – $60.00 per game for lead referee
Men’s Open – $60.00 per game for lead referee
Men’s Masters – $60.00 per game for lead referee
Co-ed open – $60.00 per game for lead referee

Referee Equipment

Required Uniform

  • Official referee jersey (provided by NSA)
  • Black referee shorts with pockets (available for $30)
  • Black socks (available for $10)
  • Jerseys tucked in; socks pulled up

Required Equipment

  • Whistle
  • Wristwatch (stopwatch)
  • Yellow & red cards
  • Pen
  • Coin

Referee Protocol

Arrival & Preparation

  • Arrive 20 minutes before kickoff and report to the Referee Room (unless officiating back-to-back games).
  • If playing before refereeing, leave your game 15 minutes early.
  • Late officials may lose assignments to those on time.

Pre-Game Procedures

  • Referee and Assistant Referees (ARs) enter and leave the Referee Room together.
  • ARs carry flags furled to the field.
  • Inspect the field for safety hazards.
  • Ensure only players and coaches are in the technical area (no parents, siblings, pets, strollers, etc.).
  • Do not start the game until technical areas are clear.
  • Conduct coin toss and review rules.
  • ARs check nets and unfurl flags to signal readiness.

Post-Game

  • Officials assigned to the final game on a field return corner flags to the Referee Room.

Referee Resources

BCSA Small Sided Rules of the Game [LINK]

IFAB Laws of the Game [LINK]

Refs Centre [LINK]

The Nelson Soccer Association (NSA) is a non-profit community soccer association whose mission is to provide all soccer players, coaches, officials and parents in Nelson and the surrounding area with programs and opportunities to learn, play and excel in the sport of soccer.

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