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Washington State 2025 Youth Referees of the Year

Lucas and Claire, congratulations on being selected the Washington State 2025 Youth Referees of the Year.  

Congratulations to Lucas Morrow, Washington’s 2025 Youth Male Referee of the Year! 🏆⚽️

Lucas has quickly become one of Washington’s standout young referees, earning respect for his professionalism, empathy, and composure on the pitch. Since first picking up the whistle in 2022, he’s officiated matches across all levels, from U9 Recreational to U19 ECNL and MLS Next, consistently bringing fairness, confidence, and integrity to every game. His coachability and ability to establish positive rapport were among the many qualities Lucas possesses according to those who support him.

 
Beyond soccer, Lucas serves as a Cadet Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and was named National Cadet of the Year, representing over 35,000 cadets nationwide and directly oversees 60 cadets in the Bothell area. He also serves as a Youth Councilmember for the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, where he champions service and inclusion.

Thank you, Lucas, for your exceptional leadership, professionalism, and the example you set for young referees throughout Washington. 💚

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Congratulations to Claire Heinen, Washington’s 2025 Youth Female Referee of the Year! 🏆⚽️

Claire has played soccer for 14 years and earned her referee badge at just 13. What began with nerves and uncertainty has become a journey of growth, resilience, and confidence. She brings professionalism and purpose to every match, guided by her belief that “referees are here to serve the game.” When needing someone to step up to a challenge, those closest to her state that Claire is always one of the first to raise her hand to stand up for those opportunities. When difficulties arise, she has the clarity, poise, and confidence to succeed no matter what. She views these life challenges as opportunities, not as obstacles, to ensure her growth mindset keeps her moving forward.

 
One of Claire’s favorite assignments is U9–U10 girls, where she teaches, encourages, and celebrates their love for soccer. Off the pitch, she leads in the classroom, in student life, and in the great outdoors. She is always striving to lift others up along the way.

Outside the boundary lines Claire had stepped up as the athletic representative at her school, impressing the administrative team with her MC abilities, organization, foresight, and drive to ensure the activities she is in charge of are well taken care of. When she is in charge, teams are formed, leadership is evident, and the event runs so smoothly thanks to her presence.

 
Thank you, Claire, for leading with integrity, passion, and grace, and for representing Washington Youth Soccer with excellence. 💚

Washington State 2026 Adult Referee of the Year

Jonathan Simmons has been selected as the Washington State 2026 Adult Referee of the Year.  

Jonathan Simmons has been a referee since 2014 in Oregon and moved to Washington in 2017.  He has been an Instructor/Mentor/Coach since 2018.  He is also been an Assignor and used to be a Futsal referee.

Jonathan has been involved with many leagues in the adult game in Washington state:

• • Multiple Super Cups

  • All Nations Tournament

  • WISL Indoor Leagues

  • GSSL

  • Parks Departments (Auburn, Fed Way, Redmond)

  • CPL / EPLWA / RATS

  • UPSL / NPSL / WPSL

  • USL 2

  • US Open Cup

  • CONCACAF Friendly

• He has also been a Driver / Support Staff and Ref at Soccerfest in Bellingham

He has been involved in the soccer community in many other ways as well:

• • Part of the SYRA State Cup Planning Committee

  • HOD at Boise P-Cup / Mentor at Regionals

  • Volunteer / Field Marshal at Seattle Regionals

  • 2 years as Referee Coach

  • Currently Director of Mentoring for NW Soccer Officials (2024-)

  • Previously Director of Communications for NW Soccer Officials (2018-2024)

  • Regional Referee (2018-)

  • SRC Participant (starting this year)

  • RAP committee participant

  • Helped to produce the KOMO segment on the RAP policy

  • Also: One of my coaches for many years as a player for Westside Metros was Patrick Duffy, the SRA in Oregon, who taught me a deep respect for the game.

U.S. Soccer Strengthens Penalties for Referee Abuse

U.S. Soccer wants to stop assaults on referees. They have implemented new, harsher penalties for referee abuse - physical and verbal abuse.

Managing Referee Abuse & Assault

Soccer referee abuse and assault are very serious crimes against the sport and they continue to happen to our members. Misconduct against referees may occur before, during, and after a match — including travel to and from a match. It is critical that referees correctly identify and make a report of these incidents. Your SRC has developed two pages to assist you in recognizing and dealing with Referee Abuse and Assault. The first page provides information on recognizing abuse and assault and how and when to report it. It may be viewed on the page Referee Abuse. Guidance for how you should conduct yourself when you experience Abuse or Assault is provided on Your Conduct if an Assault Occurs. A link is also provided in the sidebar and the right of this page.

It is requested and recommended that all recertifying and new referees complete the new lesson providing online instruction on recognizing and dealing with Referee Abuse and Assault.

Additional reference information regarding Referee Assault and Abuse.

Washington State 2024 Referee Achievement Award

Kelsey Harms has been selected for the Washington State 2024 Referee Achievement Award. 

Kelsey Harms has been a dedicated soccer referee since 2004, officiating matches from youth games to the professional level in the NWSL and USL Super League. A member of the National Referee pool since 2016, Kelsey is also a Division 1 college referee, a certified VAR official since 2023, and a respected referee coach. She has officiated at numerous top-level youth tournaments as both a referee and a mentor, and she plays a crucial role in the referee community as the assignor for the EPLWA.

In 2024, Kelsey was honored with the WSASA Referee Achievement Award for her contributions to the Washington state refereeing community. Her work as an assignor, referee coach, and national-level official has had a significant impact on the development of referees across all levels.

Passionate about mentorship, Kelsey is committed to guiding the next generation of referees, recognizing the support and guidance she received on her own journey. She hopes to continue officiating at a high level while helping young referees find their path in the sport. 

USSF Requirements and Profiles for USSF Officials