The Full Story
GSSOA and GSSYOA
The Greater Savannah Soccer Officials Association is actullay a two for one referee organization. As a whole we refer to ourselves as GSSOA, Greater Savannah Soccer Officials Association, but we are two distict operating identities based on officiationg requirements of youth, middle school, and high school needs.
GSSYOA
Twenty five years ago, the GSSOA split the association to better serve the variety of teams and age groups that play as part of the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, the Georgia Recreation and Park Association, and the Georgia Soccer Association. These organizations serve youth soccer ages 6 to 19. This section is called the GREATER SAVANNAH SOCCER YOUTH OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION. To be eligible to referee as part of this branch, a person must be at least 13 years old and satisfy all requirements associated with being a certified USSF Official.
GSSOA
This section of the association operates exclusively within the guide lines of the National Federation of High Schools. While many of the players may be the same as with youth soccer, the laws or rules may differ in many aspects. As a result, the GREATER SAVANNAH SOCCER OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION referees certification requires referees to be 18 years of age or older and complete a NFHS/GHSA clinic and exam each year to be certified. We provide officials for all the middle schools and high schools in a six county area around the Savannah area.
