WNY Soccer Referee Association

08/19/2026

Dear Referees,

This message contains everything you need to know about 2026 Recertification. It is long BUT very informative and will answer ALL of your questions. If you have a question send an email to your local DRA. If you don't know who that is go to our website for their email addresses: https://www.wnyreferee.org/index.cfm?Page=State-Referee-Committee

📅 Recertification Rollout Status

💻 Online Recertification

Expected to open in the coming weeks
No email announcement will be sent
Check OMS regularly for updates
⚠️ Online recertification only qualifies referees to officiate U8-U14 matches.

✅ ALL 2026 In-Person Clinics are NOW Open
🏃 In-Person Recertification Options (3 Hours)
=> Choose the right clinic for you

These officials, whom we have lost, were active referees, assignors, instructors, or assessors with WNYSRA. --> EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Committee Chairperson Vacant

08/18/2026

Step Up, Lead, and Shape the Future of Officiating!

If you at be least 15 years old and have a minimum of three years of officiating experience for the 2027 season., keep reading.

The State Referee Committee (SRC) and your local District are looking for dedicated officials who are ready for their next challenge. We need YOU to help shape the future of refereeing by sharing your knowledge and experience with the next generation of officials.

We are inviting you to become either a certified USSF Mentor or an uncertified Referee Guide. This is a fun, rewarding, and exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on developing referees while continuing your own growth as an official.

As a Mentor or Guide, you will:

Develop and strengthen your leadership skills
Build confidence both on and off the field
Enhance your communication and teaching abilities
Gain valuable experience that prepares you for future Regional Referee candidacy
Play a key role in supporting and inspiring newer, younger officials

We encourage all qualified officials to apply, but we are especially interested in expanding the diversity of our mentor and guide pool and strongly encourage members of underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities, to consider this opportunity. The strength of our referee community comes from the variety of experiences, perspectives, and leaders who contribute to it.

Even if becoming a Regional Referee is not one of your personal goals, this opportunity can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences in your officiating career. There is nothing quite like helping another referee succeed and watching their confidence grow because of your guidance.

And yes, you will be compensated for your time and service.

If you would like to learn more or are ready to get involved, please send an email to me at [email protected] AND your District Referee Administrator no later than September 10, 2026.

We hope you'll accept the challenge, take the next step in your referee journey, and help build the future of officiating in our District and State.

We need your experience. We need your leadership. We need YOU.

Be a mentor. Be a guide. Be the reason the next generation of referees succeeds.

Tom Langelotti, SRA WNY

08/06/2026

⚽ NEW Referee Recertification Model

I know this is long but what is contained is VERY important for you to know and understand. If you have any questions about this new process, please reach out to your DRA. Do NOT reply to this message.

The State Referee Committee (SRC) is introducing a new referee recertification model that is effective immediately and a referee rating system that will be phased in over the next two years. The goal is to have ALL referees recertified by December 31, 2026.

📢 Key Updates - 2 options to Recertify

💻 Online Recertification (if you choose this option, your match assignments can be limited)

Referees will be able to complete recertification entirely online.

✅ All referees, regardless of age are HIGHLY encouraged to attend the in-person option. However, this is an option if you have no desire to work a match above the age of 14 (ie: newer, younger referees.)

⚠️ Referees completing the online-only option will be eligible to officiate matches through U14 only. Additionally, your registration fee covers the cost of the in-person clinic, so why not attend and take advantage of that training?

🏟️ In-Person Clinics Required for U15 and above Matches

If you wish to officiate U15 and older matches, attendance at an 3 hour in-person clinic will be required.

📅 All 2026 in-person recertification clinics will be posted on OMS within the next week.

💲 Registration Fee Adjustment

A registration fee increase of approximately $10 is anticipated for the new recertification model.

🎁 What will be Included in the new Registration fee for EVERYBODY?

Your registration fee will now include:

✅ FREE in-person clinics

✅ FREE optional fitness testing

✅ FREE bi-monthly (and hopefully monthly) training sessions via video conference

🚨 Important Deadline

Be Recertified by December 31, 2026

🎯 The SRC's goal is to have all referees recertified by December 31, 2026.

Starting January 1, 2027:

💲 Registration fees will increase by an additional $50

📉 Available recertification clinics will be limited

Don't Wait!

✅ Attend a clinic and complete your recertification during 2026

✅ Avoid the additional $50 fee increase

✅ Take advantage of the full schedule of available clinics

📋 At-a-Glance

🟢 U14 & Below → Online recertification available

🔵 U15 & Above → In-person clinic required

📅 2026 Clinics → Posted on OMS next week

🎓 Monthly Training → Free virtual sessions

🏃 Fitness Testing → Free and optional

💲 2026 Fee Increase → Approximately $10

🚨 After Jan. 1, 2027 → Additional $50 increase and fewer clinic options

We are excited about these enhancements and the expanded training opportunities available to our referee community. Additional details will be shared as the rollout continues.

On behalf of the SRC, thank you for your continued dedication to the game! ⚽

06/25/2026

WNY (Rochester) very own!!! Let’s go Katy!!

Our refereeing trio has their next assignment at New York/New Jersey stadium!

05/14/2026

⚽ Busy Season is Here!

We’re entering the busiest time of the year for matches:

📊 7,500+ games coming up in WNY
📍 ~4,000 in Rochester
📍 ~2,600 in Buffalo
➕ More games are still being added!

❗ Not Getting Assignments?
If you’re not getting games (or not as many as expected), here are the most common reasons:

✅ Follow the tips below
📈 Trust me—your match count WILL go up!

👤 1. Adult Referees (if you are currently 17 but turn 18 shortly, this applies to you on your 18th birthday)
✅ Ensure Your Referee license is in GREEN in AssignR - If it is not, your license is suspended because (keep keep reading)
✅ Ensure Background Check is updated in GotSport - common mistake is to start it BUT not pay the $35 fee
✅ Ensure SafeSport is current in US LC
🚫 If either is missing, AssignR will block assignments automatically

🧒 2. Minor Referees
✅ Ensure Your Referee license is in GREEN in AssignR
✅ Make sure your Parental Attestation is current in GotSport

📅 3. Availability
✅ Open up your schedule as much as possible
❌ Do NOT block partial days Monday–Friday ⏰ There are no games before 6 PM - If you have these, delete them NOW.

🚗 4. Travel Distance
✅ Increase your travel distance (or remove the limit)
📍 Most games will still be close to home

📍 5. Venue / Age Group / League / Position Preferences
🚫 Delete any you have added. Why limit yourself?
⚠️ This is a common mistake and SIGNIFICANTLY limits your assignments
🧹 Go into AssignR and delete all preferences
✅ Use a mileage limit instead (or leave it open or make it as big as possible)

❓ Still Not Getting Games?
📞 Contact your local assignor
📍 Don’t know who that is? Reach out to your local DRA

05/13/2026

2026 Recertification CLOSES 5/18/26.
Meaning….
All 2026 Recertification requirements MUST be fully completed NO LATER THAN 5/18/26. The requirements are: 7 online lessons in OMS & and have an up to date Background Check or Parental Attestation.

Do not procrastinate!!!! There is no more time!!!! 

05/01/2026

Both of our National Officials are working matches this weekend. Great work, gentlemen!

04/15/2026

Congrats Dan!

04/11/2026

WNY Again is represented at the World Cup!!!! One our own!!! Congrats

NEWS: FIFA has appointed a record eight U.S. Soccer Referees for this summer's FIFA World Cup second most of any country in the world.

Among them, Tori Penso is one of only two women referees appointed and along with Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, makes up the only all-woman referee trio selected for the tournament.

Congrats to all eight of our World Cup-bound match officials!

04/03/2026

GREAT NEWS, we have delayed $40 Late Registration Fee to tax day, 4/15/26. Remember, you don't have to complete the courses by 4/15, you just need to log into OMS and pay the fees to lock your rate in. Again, simply log into OMS by 4/15/26 to begin the recertification process. If anybody has any questions, please reach out to your local DRA or you can shoot me an email at [email protected]

Send a message to learn more