Faced with a serious shortage of officials, the Comox Valley United Soccer Club is hosting a three-day referee clinic next month at its clubhouse and at the fields at Valley View Park in Courtenay.
The course prepares people to ref age-appropriate games, and to run line for youth and adult games.
Due to the limited number of officials, the CVUSC has difficulty maintaining all soccer games played throughout the Valley.
The club especially needs officials 18 years or older. But youths are also encouraged to take the course.
The age gap between youth and adult refs is about 50 years — something the club is hoping to close. On average, it hosts 12 competitive home games each weekend from September to April. The busy schedule means most refs need to officiate back-to-back games.
Most games are played Sundays.
Pay levels vary as per age. The U13 and U14 levels are $35 per game, U15/U16 is $40 per game, and U17 to adult is $50 per game. Those running the line receive $25 for older games.
There is a further 20 weeks of house soccer in the fall and spring that require 20-25 youth officials each weekend.
The clinic runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 19. On Saturday, Oct. 20, it goes from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The minimum age to participate is 14. The cost is $135.71.
Register at www.refcentre.com/bc/
FMI: cvuscsoccer@gmail.com or 250-334-0422.