At Renaissance Secondary School in Castle Rock, Colorado, a quarter‑long referee certification program has been running for three years, aiming to plug the state’s shortage of game officials. The initiative targets middle and high school students, offering them a pathway to become certified referees through a blend of digital study and on‑field practice.
A curriculum that blends theory and practice
Physical education teacher Jessica Perkin, a former collegiate soccer player at Santa Clara University, designed the program to weave the Colorado Soccer Association’s online curriculum with hands‑on drills on the school’s fields. Her background in youth national soccer informs lesson plans that emphasize both technical knowledge and the life skills the sport teaches.
The program began with just five participants and has swelled to 25 students, reflecting a growing appetite for refereeing among the school’s 6‑through‑12 enrollment. Each cohort receives online certification through the Colorado Soccer Association and then applies that knowledge during supervised outdoor sessions.
Support from the sidelines
Referee coach Jeff Arthurholtz, who helped develop the curriculum, stresses that officiating is more than rule‑book familiarity; it is an opportunity to foster a love of the game and teach responsibility. Arthurholtz works closely with Perkin to guide students through the practical components and to reinforce the program’s core values.
School officials say the model could be replicated across the district, creating a pipeline of certified referees that supports local leagues and enriches students’ extracurricular development. Plans are underway to expand the program to additional schools, aiming to generate broader interest in the officiating profession.