Month: August 2020

Become a Referee

Posted on August 27, 2020

Directions for Registration

New Referees

 

Step 1: Create a Profile at: U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).

  • The unique account identifier is an email address. Parents may not use their lone email address to register multiple referees. Each referee needs their own email address. Parents may add a secondary email address to each account in order to receive any emails their child is receiving from either U.S. Soccer or the Alabama State Referee Committee.
  • A known issue while creating an account in the LC is a browser If this occurs for you, the U.S. Soccer recommended steps are to clear your browser history, cache, and cookies. Close your browser, and try again. Alternatively, try a different browser or device to create your account.
  • If you already have an existing profile in the LC, log in using the same email address and password. You can navigate and create a referee profile from there. Please note that U.S. Soccer will need to support the merging of your referee data to your new profile in this circumstance. Contact [email protected] to initiate this process.

 

Step 2: Complete the U.S. Soccer NCSI Background Check (mandatory if 18 years of age or older)

  • Available inside the Learning Center under “Available Courses” > “Supplemental Courses” > “Background Screening”
  • Once completed, background check is valid for two years
  • Mandatory for all referees 18 years of age or older
  • Cost of the background check is $30, once every two years
  • Background check must be completed to obtain certification
  • Background check process may take up to 10 days

 

 

Step 3: Register for an In-Person Grassroots Entry Course at: U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center.

  • After creating an account and completing the background check, the prospective referee must register for an in-person course in
  • While logged into the Learning Center, select “Courses” > “Available Courses” > Grassroots – First-time Referees” > “Go to Course List”. Use

the “Host” drop down menu to select “Alabama State Referee Committee” or the “Location” drop down to select “Alabama” to find a course near you. Courses are $100. This cost includes the USSF registration fees, Alabama registration fees, and the cost of the course (both online and in-person portions).

  • New courses in various locations are continually being added as local leagues and clubs request to host courses in their
  • In-person entry level courses are typically held from July through February. Courses are not offered on or after March 1st. In order to allow sufficient time for completing online requirements, registration for all courses will close three days prior to the scheduled date of the course.

 

Step 4: Download and Study the IFAB Laws of the Game (LOTG).

  • The LOTG are also available as an app on both Android and iOS. The LOTG can also be found under the “Resources” tab once your register for an in-person course. You can also find them by visiting https://www.theifab.com/laws.

 

Step 5: Complete All Online Assignments and Attend the In-Person Course.

NOTE REGARDING COVID-19: For the 2021 registration cycle (courses beginning in August 2020), all in-person entry level referee courses will be held virtually using Zoom. Relevant details will be posted under the course description in the Learning Center.

 

  • All online assignments must be completed before attending the in- person course, including the Online Grassroots Referee Course, 2021 Grassroots Referee Certification Quiz, 2021 Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments, and 2021 Safesport Training (18 years of age and older). All of this is found under the

 “Assignments” tab after registering for the course. Referees will not be fully registered and certified until they have both attended the in-person course AND completed all online assignments through the Learning Center.

  • The in-person course is approximately two hours. The course includes both classroom and field session
  • Students should plan to attend the in-person course dressed appropriately for light, outdoor exercise. They should also bring the following with them: whistle, yellow/red cards, and a flag. This

equipment can be purchased from Official Sports, the official supplier of

U.S. Soccer referee uniforms and equipment.

 

Recertifying Referees

 

Step 1: Create a Profile at: U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).

  • The unique account identifier is an email address. Parents may not use their lone email address to register multiple referees. Each referee needs their own email address. Parents may add a secondary email address to each account in order to receive any emails their referee is receiving from either U.S. Soccer or the Alabama State Referee Committee.
  • If your full license history does not migrate in to your new Learning Center profile, email [email protected] the following details:
    • Full Name (include any old names if a name change occurred)
    • Date of Birth
    • 16 Digit USSF ID
    • Any old email addresses
  • A known issue while creating an account in the LC is a browser If this occurs for you, the U.S. Soccer recommended steps are to clear your browser history, cache, and cookies. Close your browser, and try again. Alternatively, try a different browser or device to create your account.
  • If you already have an existing profile in the LC, login using the same email address and password. You can navigate and create a referee profile from there. Please note that U.S. Soccer will need to support the merging of your referee data to your new profile in this circumstance. Contact [email protected] to initiate this process.

 

Step 2: Complete the U.S. Soccer NCSI Background Check (mandatory if 18 years of age or older)

  • Available inside the Learning Center under “Available Courses” > “Supplemental Courses” > “Background Screening”
  • Once completed, background check is valid for two years
  • Mandatory for all referees 18 years of age or older
  • Cost of the background check is $30, once every two years
  • Background check must be completed to obtain certification
  • Background check process may take up to 10 days

 

 

Step 3: Register for a Grassroots or Regional Referee Recertification Course at: U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).

  • After creating an account, the prospective referee must register for a grassroots or regional referee recertification

NOTE: The recertification process for 2021 will be completed entirely online through the Learning Center (there will be no mandatory in-person recertification clinics). The Alabama SRC will offer additional ongoing educational sessions both in-person and online (field sessions, webinars, etc.). Details for these sessions will be posted on alasoccerref.com.

  • While logged into the Learning Center, select “Courses” > “Available Courses” > Grassroots – Recertifying Referees” or “Regional Courses”

> “Go to Course List”. Use the “Host” drop down menu to select “Alabama State Referee Committee” or the “Location” drop down to select “Alabama” to find a course near you. Use the “Host” drop down menu to select “Alabama State Referee Committee” or the

“Location” drop down to select “Alabama” to find the appropriate course (grassroots or regional). Courses are $70 for grassroots re-certifications and $105 for regional referee re-certifications. This cost includes the USSF registration fees, Alabama registration fees, and the cost of ongoing instructional programs.

 

Step 4: Download and Study the IFAB Laws of the Game (LOTG).

  • The LOTG are also available as an app on both Android and iOS. The LOTG can also be found under the “Resources” tab once your register for the online course in the Learning Center. You can also find them by visiting https://www.theifab.com/laws.

 

Step 5: Complete All Online Assignments and Attend the In-Person Course.

  • All online assignments must be completed to be fully certified and registered, including the Online Grassroots Referee Course, 2021 Grassroots Referee Certification Quiz, 2021 Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments, and 2021 Safesport Training (18 years of age and older). All of this is found under the

 “Assignments” tab after registering for the course.

  • Recertifying referee registration will open on August 1, 2020 and close on June 25,

BUSA Annual Serves Day

Posted on August 20, 2020

BUSA Helping Off The Field.

BUSA players across the Academy, Competitive, and ECNL teams donated over $35,000 worth of school supplies items for the annual BUSA Serves Day project

Andrew Brower, Executive Director of Birmingham United Soccer Association. “We were very thrilled with the positive impact our BUSA membership made to serve others coming out of a global pandemic in the annual BUSA SERVES Day Project.  It is amazing to see so many wonderful members donate their time, money, and resources to serve others.  The students and leadership team at Restoration Academy are so thrilled to see BUSA impact their kids in such a positive manner and on behalf of the BUSA Leadership Team, we thank you for your support.”

 

As BUSA moves into their fall season, their work this summer has considerably strengthened the foundation of the club.

“BUSA Serves Day is a great reminder that one of the main goals of BUSA is to impact those around us so that we can leave our mark into making our community a better place.”

McDonalds and BUSA

Posted on August 1, 2020

BUSA And Mcdonald’s Form Partnership!

Mcdonalds has been in helping grow grassroots soccer for a while and certainly have a great footprint helping in the local communities, We are excited to be welcoming them to BUSA!

Executive Director Andrew Brower was quoted

“BUSA is excited to announce a partnership with our local Mcdonald’s in the Birmingham Metropolitan area.  This partnership is a massive win for BUSA and something that will be a great addition to our membership.

Please see a quote below from local operator Jason Black, “Your Local McDonalds Owners are proud to support Youth Soccer. We love helping local schools, churches, and youth athletics. It’s our way of giving back to the communities that we have the pleasure of serving every day.”