AwesomeStPaul is pleased to award our October 2026 grant to Kirsten Anderson for her soccer referee training program.

According to Kirsten, “Every soccer game needs a referee, but becoming one comes with upfront costs. For a young person getting started, purchasing a uniform, whistle, cards, flags and other equipment can be a real barrier, particularly for families already working hard to make youth sports affordable.

“The St. Paul First Whistle Initiative will help remove that barrier by providing referee starter kits to first-time youth soccer referees in St. Paul who face financial barriers to purchasing required equipment.

“I see these barriers firsthand through my work with the Blackhawks Soccer Club, which provides significant financial assistance each year so players can participate in soccer regardless of their family's financial circumstances. We work hard to remove barriers for players; I believe we should do the same for young people who want to become referees.

With a $1,000 Awesome St. Paul grant, I will provide 13 referee starter kits to newly certified youth referees. Each kit will include a referee uniform, socks, whistle, cards and linesman flags.

The initiative will be open to eligible first-time youth referees in the St. Paul community, with outreach through local soccer organizations, schools and youth programs. Blackhawks Soccer Club can help connect the initiative with young people interested in refereeing, but the program will not be limited to Blackhawks players or games.

Kits will be provided after recipients complete their referee certification, helping ensure the equipment is used by young people ready to begin officiating.

A small investment can create a big ripple effect: help someone get their first whistle, and they can go on to officiate dozens of games while developing confidence, leadership and responsibility, and helping hundreds of St. Paul kids play the sport they love.

The goal is simple: make refereeing more accessible, create leadership and work opportunities for young people, and strengthen St. Paul's soccer community, one first whistle at a time.”