Park Ridge Flag Football Referee Program – Fall 2025
Looking to earn extra money while gaining leadership skills and staying involved in football? Becoming a youth football referee for Park Ridge Flag Football is a rewarding opportunity for students in grades 7–12.
Games take place mostly on Saturday mornings, with some Friday PM and Sunday afternoon games from September through October.
Who Can Be a Referee?
We’re seeking current and former Park Ridge Football players in 7th grade through high school who want to referee flag football games during the 2025 fall season.
- No prior officiating experience needed, but a strong knowledge of PRFB Flag Football Rules required prior to officiating 1st game. Returning refs are giving some priorities.
- Must attend 1 mandatory training session held either on:
- Saturday, August 9, 2025
🕚 Time: 11 AM – 12 PM
📍 Location: Prospect Park – Garage Area (in the back parking lot)
🍕 Pizza and refreshments provided
Sunday, August 10, 2025
🕚 Time: 3 PM – 4 PM
📍 Location: Prospect Park – O’Connor Room (next to football field)
🍕 Pizza and refreshments provided
How to Sign Up
To become a youth flag football referee, you must:
- Complete the 🔗Referee Info Form
- Mandatory attendance at the referee training meeting (August 9th or 10th @ Prospect Park). Very few exceptions will be made, and likely only if you are a returning referee.
- Register on 🔗 RefTown
- Sport: Select “Football” (not “Football, Flag”)
- Organization: PRF – Park Ridge Football
- Must learn to use 🔗 RefTown to:
- Accept game assignments
- Set availability
- Track payments
⚠ Note: Game assignments are determined by the Referee Director based on performance and experience. Refs are expected to understand the rules and demonstrate professionalism. Poor performance may result in fewer or no assignments.
What’s Provided
Each new youth referee will receive:
- Referee shirt (must be returned at season’s end)
- Referee hat and whistle (yours to keep)
- Penalty flag
- Access to 🔗 RefTown for scheduling and payments
- Hands-on training covering:
- PRFB Flag Football Rules
- Local rule modifications
- IHSA rule basics on refereeing football
- Referee expectations and best practices on managing the game
Referee Pay Rates (Per Game)
Referees are paid as 1099 contractors per 1-hour game:
| Grade Level | Pay Per Game |
| 7th Grade | $20 |
| 8th Grade | $25 |
| High School | $35 |
Mid-Season Youth Referee Meeting & Pay Schedule
A mandatory mid-season Youth Referee meeting will be held on Sunday, October 5th from 11:00 AM to Noon at Prospect Park Garage area to cover important program updates, gather feedback, and host a Q&A session. The first paycheck will be distributed during this meeting. The second and final paycheck will be issued at the end of the season upon return of your referee shirt.
Youth Referee Expectations
- Show up prepared and on time
- Understand and apply flag football rules
- Use 🔗 RefTown to manage your schedule
- Attend a mid-season meeting on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 11 AM at Prospect Park Garage for paycheck and program feedback
- Return shirt at end-of-season meeting to receive final paycheck
📅 Final Pay & Shirt Return: Saturday November 1, 2025 or Sunday, November 2, 2025
🕙 Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 Location: Prospect Park Garage
✅ Bring your clean shirt and flag, and a summary of the games you officiated.
🚫 No hat or whistle returns needed.
💵 You must attend or send a proxy—no pay will be given outside of these scheduled sessions.
Questions?
📞 Rob Leach
📧 hrobertleach@sbcglobal.net
📱 312-888-0198