The Idaho Youth Soccer Association has offered to pay the registration fees in full for every new first time referee (up to 20 per area of the state) this year! You could certify for 2024 FOR FREE! To receive the grant, first, locate a course in your area. If one is not available right now or if you found a course and need a coupon code to waive your fees for the first year, contact your DRA. We appreciate IYSA's generosity to help us build a brand new referee pool! Let's recruit 100 new referees in Idaho this year!

The State Referee Committee welcomes Riley Jones as the returning State Youth Referee Administrator. Riley is highly active in soccer as an assignor for a variety of US Soccer tournaments and for high school district 3. He has served as a regional referee, regional instructor, and regional assessor. In addition to soccer, he is an avid basketball referee as well.  

Riley is your point of contact for all connecting to youth refereeing as well as our state run tournaments. Welcome back Riley!

The State Referee Committee welcomes Tyler Bates as our new state director of instruction. Tyler is a dedicated referee with service to the youth and adult leagues here in Idaho. He has served as a certified mentor for several years and has a promising referee career ahead as well, having just upgraded to regional referee. Tyler has shown he is willing to do whatever necessary to help young referees develop and grow.

Tyler is your point of contact for all new referees getting certified for the first time and for all current grassroots referees looking to recertify as a grassroots referee for the next year. Welcome Tyler!

The State Referee Committee welcomes Rich Eveland as the new chair of the SRC. He follows Jim DeBoer who has served diligently, but has moved out of state. 

Rich has been involved in Idaho soccer for decades at a variety of levels from youth, to high school, to college. He is an emeritus regional referee, a regional assessor, regional instructor, and has served with the SRC going on three years. His service to adult and youth leagues makes him a perfect fit.

Rich is your contact person for anything financial related to the SRC and will be partnering with our new SDI as he learns the process. Rich will continue to assess, instruct, and referee as well.

Thank you to everyone who started their 2022 recertification and was entered into the referee appreciation raffle that last week of 2021. Below is a list of the winners in the raffle. 

Day 1 Winners - 

   District 1 - Maddox Le

   District II - Georg Behrens

   District III - Kallen Reader

   District IV - Christopher West

Day 2 Winners - 

   New Referee - Austin Ulrich

   Referee Mentor/Coach - Logan Parks

   Referee w/successful fitness test in 2021 - Matthew Suhr

Day 3 Winners - 

   Assignor - Cory Gaylor

   Grace Byrns

   Drew Brown

   James Meade

Day 4 Winners - 

   Regional Referee - Tod Daun

   Mirnes Alic

   Selvedin Mustafic

Day 5 Winners - 

   Travis Hart

   Joshua Carrol

   Ashley Wallace

   Franklin Marsh

The Referee Committee would like to announce Josh Thompson as the new State Referee Administrator in Idaho.  

Josh is a former national referee and has operated in multiple states in the country. He brings an in-depth knowledge of the soccer world and what US Soccer is looking for in referees who wish to move up to a more advanced game.  

Please join us in welcoming Josh to the committee. 

In October and November, the state committee hosted regional referee training in Boise and Coeur d'Alene. These trainings were led by national coaches and offered insight into the development paths and expectations for regional officials. 

CADEN ZIERENBERG - Meridian, ID

Do you play soccer?

Yes, I am a freshman and playing at The Master’s University, CA.  

How did you get involved as a soccer referee?

My dad was a referee and encouraged me at a young age to try it and see if I liked it to increase my exposure to the game.

What draws you to being a referee now?

I love the exposure to a different perspective to the game. Playing and refereeing at the same time is fun and I like how I see the game differently from my experience.

What are your aspirations?

Pursuing a degree in Business/Marketing

Congratulations!  CADEN

PAIGE SARGEANT - REXBURG, ID

Do you play soccer?

Yes, I was a goalkeeper for 8 years playing for Madison United Soccer in Rexburg, ID.

How did you get involved as a soccer referee?

I was looking for a job in soccer, always kind of wanted to give it a try. Got certified at age 13.

What draws you to being a referee now?

It is fun and it allows me to understand the game. It offers me an opportunity to do something that is always challenging and is something I can constantly work to improve at.

What are your aspirations?

Attend Utah State University studying Environmental Science/Biology

Congratulations!  PAIGE

Information and links to resources regarding the Idaho Youth Soccer policies pertaining to Covid 19 and returning to play in 2021. 

The Idaho soccer community lost a wonderful soul to the Covid19 virus. Roger Castro has been a leader in the Pocatello soccer community and in Idaho for many years. His smile and positive influence on the game of soccer will be sorely missed and not easily replaced. We will all have a place in our hearts for Roger. 

Roger would be heartbroken if the game of soccer did not carry on in his legacy. Roger is now with his dear wife and looking down on all of our matches from above. Say a prayer for the Castro family and remember him as we head out on the field this spring. 

Click Here for Roger's Obituary

Words from the Paine family on the passing of Cliff. 

“It is with heavy hearts that we must bring this news. Cliff Paine took the last steps in his life journey and went to be with the Lord, Saturday March 28th. We are all blessed to have shared the time together with him. For those who shared moments with him whether in daily life, on the pitch, at the Canyon Rim Classic, or in training sessions we wish to say thank you. Thank you for blessing his life with those moments, which he found such joy in. He was a genuinely kind and loving Man, Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and Grandpa. But most importantly he was a child in Christ. While we mourn, I would encourage you to also celebrate. His life was cut short with us but I know he is singing and dancing with his dad and brother, among many other loved ones, in heaven. 

At this time in the world there is much confusion and discomfort with concerns for Covid-19. Our family is discussing options to celebrate his life and would like to invite all who are able to do so as well. We are planning for a memorial service and celebration of life in the coming weeks/months once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. We will follow up with more information regarding the memorial service once available. All we ask for now is your thoughts and prayers for our family and all those Cliff had an impact on in his prosperous life.” 

Referees are encouraged apply to attend the Far West Youth Regional Tournament in Boise, Idaho on June 14-21, 2020.  If you are a referee with at least a few years of experience, a high work rate, and a willingness to increase your skill set, consider applying.  The State Youth Referee Administrator will receive your application, discuss it with the State Referee Committee, and make selections in late March, 2020.  Learn more on this page.  

Nicole Steiner was selected to represent Idaho at the US Soccer Developmental Academy Winter Boys Showcase in Florida. She received instruction and training as well as on field evaluations and feedback from national referee coaches. 

On August 10th, 3 Idaho officials, Stearne Briem, Nicole Steiner and Jason Hutchinson, were selected to officiate the International Arena Soccer Friendly hosted in Boise between USA and Mexico. The event was attended by nearly 5,000 spectators at CenturyLink Arena. The atmosphere of the match was incredible as Mexico defeated the US Team 7-2. 

2019 has been a great year so far for Idaho soccer referees.  In June, Nicole Steiner was selected to represent Idaho and the USYS West Region as a referee at National President’s Cup in Tennessee. This selection was earned by her outstanding performance at the USYS Far West Regionals Youth tournament hosted in Boise, ID. Over 40 referees from Idaho and over 200 referees from the West Region took part in the tournament.