SPONSORSHIP · 2027 SEASON

Support referee development in your community

Young referees deserve real training, real support, and mentors in their corner.

a call to action from our founder

Across Minnesota, our referees, most of them under 18, step onto the field with a mentor beside them. Every game is a first job, a lesson in leadership, and a better game day for the kids playing.

784

referees worked games in 2026

4,500+

games covered

190

young referees in 2026 Fast Track and Junior Program

99.1%

positions covered, Spring-Fall 2026

HOW YOUNG REFEREES GROW WITH TRA

Two development programs take a young referee from their very first game to working confidently on their own, with a mentor beside them along the way.

JUNIOR program

11 - 12 YEAR OLDS

A first, paid step into refereeing before kids are old enough to certify. Juniors work recreational games for a full year, starting with an in-person classroom training and practicing monthly with mentors and Junior trainers.

“It is a great program for kids to determine if they would like to become an official ref.”

Junior parent

fast track program

CERTIFIED · 13+

A spring or fall cohort for newly certified referees, led by an experienced cohort lead. Referees train in person monthly, meet online with their cohort, get coached by mentors at real games, and finish with a personal growth report.

10 of 10

Spring 2026 Fast Track referees said TRA is genuinely invested in their growth, not just filling positions

IN THEIR WORDS

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“The mentorship was amazing. I felt like I was truly seen by my mentor. I was given honest feedback, but mostly encouragement. It inspired me to start reffing higher level games.”

Referee, age 13-14

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“It was my first time as center ref, and my mentor built up my confidence and was available for anything I needed.”

Referee, age 13-14

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“The trainers and leadership are excited about reffing and mentoring and treated our son as a professional, even though he’s only 11. That gave him the confidence to step on the field and take the job seriously.”

Junior Program Parent