A TRA PROGRAM FOR YOUNG REFEREES
junior program
Too young for USSF certification? TRA trains 11-12 year olds to referee for our partner clubs.
No experience needed, with a mentor alongside them every step of the way.
Registration is currently closed. Junior Track enrollment opens each December for the following program year.
The Junior Program is the TRA training and mentorship program designed for 11–12-year-olds who are interested in refereeing but are not yet eligible for USSF certification. This program is available exclusively to our partner club communities, and its duration varies based on each club’s schedule.
In this page, you will find details and registration.
WHAT IT IS
What is the Junior Program?
Junior Program is the ideal place for kids to start their refereeing journey. Kids 11 and 12 aren't old enough for USSF certification yet, so TRA trains them directly, gets them on recreational games, and supporting them with experienced mentors and trainers while they find their footing.
It runs for one program year, and yes — junior referees get paid for the games they work!
Who qualifies
To join the Junior Program for 2027, you must:
Be 11 to 12 years old
Cutoff dates:
Must be at least 11 and turn 13 after Feb 1 2027
If you are 13 years old, you are ready to get certified! Start here →
AND you qualify for the Youth Track → (ages 13-17).
Got a summer birthday? If a junior referee turns 13 before August 1, they can move up to the Youth Track Fall cohort that same year, once they're USSF certified and ready. It's optional. The family decides, and TRA helps figure out the right timing. Finishing the Junior Track year first is always fine too.
Not sure where your referee fits? Just ask us.
THE PROGRAM
Duration
1-2 seasons
Junior Program starts in March and ends in November. Registrations open in December from the year prior.
Training Commitment
2 sessions
Junior Referees need to complete 1 Classroom session and 1 On-field Training led by TRA before starting to work.
TRA Team
Trainers & Mentors
TRA assigns experienced referee trainers and mentors to guide Junior referees on their first experiences.
What's included
What comes with enrollment.
TRA Classroom Sessions
This is a required step to ensure referees are prepared for their first game experiences. New junior referees must attend one (1) classroom session before the season begins. We offer multiple dates and locations so referees can choose what works best with their schedule.
TRA Trainings
We also provide on-field training sessions where junior referees meet trainers and mentors, practice real-game scenarios, and build confidence with calls and positioning. New referees are required to attend one (1) training session before the season begins.
Mentors on the field
During first game experiences, the TRA team is present to support and guide junior referees. We also partner with clubs to ensure a positive, low-pressure environment that prioritizes referee development and growth.
TRA Game Day Kit
With the enrollment fee, each Junior Program participant receives a TRA Game Day Kit, which includes:
Referee coin
Whistle
Basic watch
Gear bag
Junior Referee Guidebook
Official TRA referee kit (Teal jersey, shorts, socks, booklet, and flags)
REGISTRATION
Register for Junior Program
Complete the registration form. If there are no spots available, you will enter our referee waitlist.
Pay the Enrollment
Pay a one time enrollment fee that will cover a full year of mentoring and training and a game day kit so you have everything you need.
Wait for Invitation
We will send you a link to your inbox.
Join TRA Platform
Our team will send you an invitation to join our assigning platform, so you are ready to pick your training sessions when those are open.
Commitment
Attend 1 Classroom Session and 1 On-field Training
Both are required to work recreational games.
Officiate
Work at least 10 games within our network during the season.
WHAT COMES NEXT
What comes with enrollment.
Turning 13 opens the next door: USSF certification.
Junior Graduates often join Youth Track, TRA's cohort program for certified referees ages 13–17. For most junior referees, that's the natural move after their program year — and for summer birthdays, it can happen mid-year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: what is the date cutoff?
Junior Track is for kids 11-12 who turn 13 after Feb 1 of the program year. If you turn 13 on or before Feb 1, Youth Track is the best fit.
q: When can we enroll?
Every December, for the following program year.
q: Does THE referee need any experience?
None at all! Junior Track is built for first-timers, TRA trains them from scratch.
q: hOW DO I GET THE UNIFORM?
For new referees, the uniform is included in the enrollment fee. During registration, referees will select their size (jersey and shorts will be provided in the same size) and provide a shipping address for delivery.
The gear bag will be distributed at the program kickoff event.
q: How big a time commitment is it?
Training happens in scheduled sessions. We offer several options with different dates and locations, and the referee pick the one that best work for their schedule. Games are assigned around referee's availability, and it flexes with your family's schedule.
q: What if they turn 13 partway through the year?
If the birthday's before August 1, they can move up to the Youth Track Fall cohort, once certified and ready, or finish the Junior Track year first. The family's call.
We Currently Serve in the Following Areas
2150 3rd Street
Suite 16
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
OFFICE HOURS
Mon-Thu: 9AM to 4PM
Friday: 9AM to 3PM
Sat-Sun: Closed
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