The annual Young Referee of the Year award honors those who have a strong work ethic, knowledge of the rules of the game and are positive role models

 

Through the Young Referee of the Year program, US Youth Soccer helps foster the development of referees for the future of soccer in the United States. Many of the leagues around the country would not be able to cover all of their games but not for the involvement of youth referees. The national Male and Female Young Referees of the Year is announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, as a part of the US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop.

The Young Referee of the Year recipients are awarded for their dedication to the game, their outstanding personal accomplishments, serving as role models to other youth referees and players, and for their excellence as recognized by their adult referee peers and mentors.

2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008

Robert Hinrichs, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association

2008 US Youth Soccer Female Young Referee of the Year
Jorden Clements, Georgia Youth Soccer Association

Male Young Referee of the Year Regional Award Winners:

Region I – Ryan White – Manassas, Va.
Ryan White first started refereeing in 2003 and since then, he has refereed numerous tournaments including the US Youth Soccer Virginia State Championships, US Youth Soccer Region I Premier League and US Youth Soccer Region I Championships. White's experience has also expanded to adult leagues. He is currently a Grade 6 referee and continues to further his knowledge by seeking advice and guidance from senior referees. The knowledge he receives is used not only enhance his skills, but also help younger referees that he helps to mentor as they progress on the field.

Region II – Bob Hinrichs – Rogers, Minn.
Bob Hinrichs is a Grade 8 referee and has more than five years of experience. He has attended the referee academy and advanced referee academy in order to broaden his knowledge and skills as a referee. In the summer of 2008, he participated as a select referee at the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program clinic in Rockford, Ill. Hinrichs has set high goals for himself as he plans to attain his Grade 5 certification and continue refereeing at higher levels as an adult.

Region III – James Johnston – Greenbrier, Ark.
At the age of 12, James Johnston moved to Arkansas and found that he could learn more about soccer by becoming a referee. He is a Grade 7 referee and is currently working matches to fulfill his Grade 6 state referee certification when he reaches the appropriate age. As a member of the Greenbrier Soccer Club, Johnston is the club's referee assignor and he also schedules classes and recruits new referees. His initiatives have not gone unnoticed as he has refereed at many prestigious events including the 2008 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships and US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program tournaments.

Region IV – Zachary Pendt – Bremerton, Wash.
Zachary Pendt started refereeing in 2000 with small-sided games and has since upgraded to a Grade 7 referee. Pendt is taking part in upgrading clinics to advance himself as a referee and as a mentor to younger referees. He has refereed at the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships and US Youth Soccer Washington State Championships. His leadership is also exemplified as he acts as the captain of his Under-18 Bainbridge Island soccer team.

Female Young Referee of the Year Regional Award Winners:

Region I – Samantha Polito – Canonsburg, Pa.
Soccer has been a part of Samantha Polito's life since her time spent playing in the Under-6 age group, but her perspective on soccer shifted in 2002 when she stopped played and attended her first referee camp. With the guidance of her parents, who have refereed for many years, and her growing passion to learn the game on another level she began refereeing in the Under-6 age group. Since then, Polito has attended referee camp every summer and refereed at the Pennsylvania West Open Tournament (2003-2007). In 2007, Polito started working at the Special Olympics tournaments.

Region II – Rebecca Hall – Hartland, Wis.
Rebecca Hall started playing soccer when she was five, and at the age of 12, her love of the game led her to attend her first referee clinic. Within her first year of refereeing, she upgraded to a Grade 8. Hall has refereed at tournaments across Wisconsin including the US Youth Soccer Wisconsin State Championships and the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional League. She is commended by her assessors for her immediate response to their suggestions and the humble attitude she carries on the field.

Region III – Jorden Anne Clements – Waren Robins, Ga.
Playing recreational soccer was a big part of Jorden Clements' life until an accident prevented her from continuing to compete. Continuing to pursue her love for the game, Clements turned to refereeing. In April 2006, she began as a Grade 9, but soon upgraded to a Grade 8. Her experience as a referee includes local amateur leagues, middle school matches, local youth leagues, the US Youth Soccer Georgia State Championships and other Georgia Soccer state tournaments. She has excelled in all challenges presented to her through soccer and she also participates in various programs in her community that allow her to give back to others.

Region IV – Maia Anderson – Anchorage, Alaska
Maia Anderson has been a referee since 2004 and at the 2007 US Youth Soccer Alaska State Cup, she received her Grade 7 assessment. Anderson was a referee at the 2006 and 2007 US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships and at the US Youth Soccer Alaska State Championships (2004-2007). To expand her involvement in the game, Anderson was the secretary of the Anchorage Soccer Referee Association Board in 2006. While in pursuit of becoming and excelling as a referee, Anderson also succeeded in the classroom as she graduated second in her class and chose to continue her education at Harvard University.

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2007 US Youth Soccer Male Young Referee of the Year
Jon Freemon, Kansas State Youth Soccer Association

2007 US Youth Soccer Female Young Referee of the Year
Cassandra Ferrari, Virginia Youth Soccer Association

 

Brief bios of the regional winners are below based on the submitted application forms.

 

Region I – Geoff L. Halberstadt, Telford, Penn.
Geoff L. Halberstadt, from Telford, PA, has been a referee since 2002. Halberstadt's energy on the field shows his love for officiating and his abilities as a referee. He has worked at the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) tournaments for the past four years and has attended two regional tournaments. Halberstadt has served as a referee for most of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association competitive leagues as well as the US Youth Soccer Eastern Pennsylvania State Championships' semifinals and finals. Halberstadt also plays for the Souderton Area Soccer Association and for his high school.

 

Jon Freemon, from Louisburg, Kansas, not only seeks to improve himself but he also helps others. He provides positive advice to younger officials that they are able to use immediately. Jon is always the first to help when assignors get in a bind. When Jon is the center referee, he works hard and appears unruffled and competent. Jon has handled stressful situations with a sense of dignity and professionalism that is far beyond the expectations. He has an excellent knowledge of the Laws of the Game and their application during match situations.

 

Grant Allard, from Maryville, TN, started refereeing as a way to stay involved in soccer after his season was over, but it grew to an extension of his love for the game. While his family traveled around the world, soccer was Allard's constant and he learned from every opportunity to play. Taking his Grade 8 certification class, Allard felt like an explorer learning about and analyzing the game he loves. Since then, Allard has worked the US Youth Soccer ODP Region III Championship, the US Youth Soccer Region III Premier League, The US Youth Soccer Tennessee State Championship and many other prestigious tournaments.

Trevor Cox, from Orangevale, CA, earned his certification in 2005. He served in the finals at the US Youth Soccer California North State Championships in 2005 and 2006. Cox approaches everything in his life with a certain level of seriousness, but enjoys making those around him laugh. Refereeing has built Cox's self-confidence, maturity and communication skills. He continues to grow both as a referee and as a young man. He continuously takes on more responsibility as an official and challenges himself to improve.

 

Cassandra Ferrari, from Fairfax, VA, currently holds a Grade 7 certification. She has participated in the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, US Youth Soccer ODP, US Youth Soccer Virginia State Cup and other large tournaments. In the summer of 2006, she was selected as the Top Female Camper at the Metro D.C. – Virginia Youth Referee Development Academy. Refereeing started as a way to earn money for Ferrari, but turned into a passion. Increasingly challenging games have given her the opportunity to work with the best referees and to travel. The opportunity continues to give her a chance to grow and mature.

 

Marisa Woloszyn, from Northville, MI, has a referee Grade 8. As a high school junior, she has been playing soccer for over ten years and refereeing for over four years. In that time, she has quickly grown from a beginner to a mentor, by gaining the respect of players, parents and tournament officials. Marissa started refereeing at the age of 12 and has matured greatly as a referee and a person. Marisa is very professional on the field, and does not hesitate to make a tough call. Also, she mentors other young local referees.

 

Lauren Foy, from Niceville, FL, can be seen on the fields on Friday nights and Saturday mornings officiating youth games. She works Niceville Soccer's Under-6 through Under-14 games and Destin Youth Soccer's Under-6 through Under-10 games. In addition, she officiates for the Niceville VIP Soccer for the disabled. Foy also worked the US Youth Soccer Florida State Championships including their final games and several other Florida tournaments. She has been chosen as center referee in several championship games. She enjoys the interaction with younger children, the leadership role, and the pressure of the game and the camaraderie of fellow officials.

 

Lauren Hanson, from Chandler, AZ, earned her certification in 2000. Since then she has earned the opportunity to work the US Youth Soccer Arizona State Cup, US Youth Soccer ODP camps, the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships and other competitive and adult tournaments. She also played varsity high school and club soccer. She continues to go above and beyond expectations in everything she does. Refereeing has taught her how to exert authority with grace while working with youth players and adult coaches. Her goal is to work both college and professional games in the future.

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