Changelog -- New features, Improvements, and Fixes
Follow new updates and improvements to Ref Insight.
February 9th, 2026
We are pleased and honored to announce that Ref Insight has been selected by U.S. Soccer as its referee assignment platform following a comprehensive Request for Proposals process. Read U.S. Soccer’s full announcement here.
Ref Insight’s assignment, communication, and workflow tools will now support competitions administered by U.S. Soccer and its National Assignors — including the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, international matches hosted in the United States, and multiple national competitions across the USL pre-professional, NPSL, UPSL, and UWS leagues.
For us, this is more than a technology contract. Ref Insight was founded on firsthand officiating experience — co-founder Sandra Serafini (AKA “Fini”) has over 30 years in the game as a referee, assignor, assessor, and administrator, while co-founder Joshua Ort has spent decades building systems purpose-built for complex officiating environments. We understand the challenges match officials and assignors face because we’ve lived them. That firsthand experience drives every feature we build and every decision we make as a company. It also means we share U.S. Soccer’s mission of elevating refereeing so that those who choose to be part of it feel supported, valued, and inspired.
Being entrusted with supporting U.S. Soccer’s referee operations is a tremendous responsibility, and one we don’t take lightly. We’re committed to delivering a platform that makes life easier for assignors, clearer for match officials, and stronger for the programs that depend on both.
U.S. Soccer’s selection also reinforces our commitment to every organization we serve. The investment in our platform driven by an engagement of this scale benefits all Ref Insight users — from local and state associations to national programs. Better tools, faster development, and deeper capabilities for everyone. Thank you all for your incredible support, we have exciting times ahead together!
We also want to thank U.S. Soccer’s Referee Department for a thorough and professional evaluation process, and for their commitment to ensuring that every person in the refereeing pathway — from those guiding local matches to those representing the United States on the world stage — has the tools and support they deserve. We’re excited to get to work!
Happy Assigning and Admin’ing!!
— Sandra Serafini & Joshua Ort, Co-Founders, Ref Insight
January 16th, 2026
New
Overview
Two new tutorials are now available for Observer Reports, providing guidance for both Full-Access Administrators creating forms and Observers completing reports.
Tutorial Details
Creating an Observer Form (Full-Access Administrators)
Learn how to build and configure Observer Reports to capture performance data and recommendations for the officials in your program.
What You'll Learn:
Adding Observers to make the Observer Report accessible
How to create a new Observer Report from scratch
Configuring report fields and performance criteria
Best practices for effective observer report design
Any match role that is an Observer role can be used to tie that role to the ability to complete an Observer Report. Assignors can add Observer match roles to a Competition as either mandatory or optional, and assign these Observer match roles (e.g. Observer, Ref Coach, Mentor, etc.) to the Observers that have been selected by the account administrator. Global and Schedule-specific assigning rules can also be attached to these Observer match roles. Create a pool of Observers to make assigning them to these roles quick and efficient.
Remember to invite Observers to the Officials Portal to let them access the report on the Ref Insight App using their mobile device, which allows them to complete the report immediately following the match.
Access and Complete Observer Reports (Observers)
Learn how to locate and submit observer reports in the Officials Portal for matches you've been assigned to observe, as well as for matches or officials you want to submit a report for, but have not been assigned to. The View All Matches feature allows Observers to spontaneously submit a report when identifying talent for further evaluation or advancement, or to identify officials who need some extra guidance to help them succeed. Download the Ref Insight App (iOS or Android) to complete the form on your mobile device, right at the fields.
What You'll Learn:
How to access observer reports in the Officials Portal for assigned matches
How to filter available matches and submit reports for matches you’ve not been assigned to as an Observer
How to complete and submit Observer Reports
How to review and edit submitted reports
Tutorials Available
Access these new tutorials in the Knowledge Base:
Creating an Observer Form (for Admins)
Access and Complete Observer Reports (for Observers)
Support
For questions about Observer Reports:
Review the comprehensive tutorials in the Knowledge Base
Contact support at support@refinsight.com
Happy observing!
The Ref Insight Team
December 31st, 2025
Improved
Hello Assignors and Administrators!
The U.S. Soccer Mentor+ license is now captured through the Learning Center API and recognized by Ref Insight's assigning rules.
The USSF Ref Coach/Mentor License assigning rule now accepts any of the following licenses as valid:
Mentor
Mentor+
Referee Coach
Note how it differs from the USSF Ref Coach License assigning rule, which requires a Referee Coach license specifically.
Either rule can be applied globally to an account for a specific match role or to a match role within individual schedules as needed.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! Here’s to great things in 2026!
Warm wishes,
The Ref Insight Team
December 10th, 2025
For assignors
We've published a comprehensive guide explaining how assignments move through the system. Every assignment follows a predictable path from creation to game day, passing through statuses like Tentative, Assigned, and Accepted. But sometimes assignments end before the official works the match—through Removed, Declined, or Revoked. This guide explains it all.
The article covers:
The six assignment statuses and what each one means
The standard flow from Tentative → Assigned → Accepted
Exit points: how and why assignments end up as Removed, Declined, or Revoked
How assignments transition between statuses (and when they can move backwards)
What assignors can do vs. what officials can do
How "current" vs. "non-current" assignments work when you replace an official
Managing your workspace with the Hide button
Whether you're new to Ref Insight or just want a refresher, this guide will help you understand exactly what's happening with your assignments at every stage.
If you have any questions, please submit a ticket to support@refinsight.com.
Happy Assigning!
The Ref Insight Team
December 9th, 2025
For Full-Access Administrators
We've introduced a new account-level setting called Minimum Age to Assign that works alongside the existing schedule-level minimum age setting to give you more centralized control over age requirements across your organization.
How It Works
The account-level setting establishes a baseline minimum age for assignments. Schedule-level settings can raise this minimum higher for specific roles but cannot go lower than the account setting. The system always enforces whichever value is higher.
Getting Started
Account administrators interested in this feature should submit a support ticket to support@refinsight.com indicating what the minimum age should be set to. We will take care of this setting on our end and notify you when it’s completed. You can choose one minimum age per account.
Once configured, you can apply this global assigning rule to the relevant roles in your account. For example, if your account-level minimum is set to 14, and you apply this global assigning rule to the Referee role, anyone under 14 will be blocked from receiving assignments as a Referee across your account, regardless of individual schedule settings for the Referee role.
If you have any questions about this new feature, submit a ticket to support@refinsight.com and we’ll be happy to assist.
Happy admin’ing!
The Ref Insight Team
October 20th, 2025
Overview
A new messaging feature is now available within the USSF Licenses report, allowing administrators and assignors to send targeted communications directly to officials based on their license status. This feature combines the existing filtering capabilities of the Interactive Menu with integrated messaging, making it easy to reach officials with expiring or expired licenses, certifications, and background checks.
New Feature Details
Messaging from USSF Licenses Report
Send targeted messages to officials directly from the USSF Licenses report, using filters to identify specific groups based on license type, expiration dates, pools, and more.
What's Available:
Build Message button to add selected recipients from the filtered report
Filter by license type, expiration dates, pools, disciplines, and more
Identify expired referee licenses (shown as blank expiration dates)
Track days until expiration for proactive communications
Filter by Pools, Select individual recipients, or select all from a filtered list
Save messages as drafts or send immediately
Key Benefits:
Send targeted reminders to officials with expiring licenses or certifications
Reach officials with expired credentials quickly and efficiently
Use powerful filtering to identify exactly who needs to receive communications
Save time with bulk messaging to filtered groups
How It Works
Access the USSF Licenses report and use the Interactive Menu to filter for specific criteria such as expiring licenses, expired certifications, or officials in particular pools. Select the recipients you want to message, click Build Message to add them, compose your message, and either save as a draft or send immediately.
Tutorial Available
Complete guidance on using the messaging feature in the USSF Licenses report is now available in the Knowledge Base.
Access the Tutorial: Send a Message from the USSF Licenses Availability Report
Support
For questions about the USSF Licenses messaging feature:
Review the comprehensive tutorial in the Knowledge Base
Explore the Interactive Menu Tutorial Series for advanced filtering techniques
Contact support at support@refinsight.com
Happy communicating!
The Ref Insight Team
October 15th, 2025
Overview
A new tutorial is now available in the Interactive Menu tutorial series, focusing on Control Breaks. This tutorial demonstrates how to use Control Breaks to group and organize data in reports and displays throughout the Ref Insight platform.
Tutorial Details
Interactive Menu: Control Breaks
Learn how to use Control Breaks to group items by selected columns, making it easier to analyze and organize information in any report or display that includes the Actions button.
What You'll Learn:
How to access and apply Control Breaks through the Actions button
Grouping data by single or multiple columns for subgroup analysis
Using Control Breaks in various areas including Assigning Workspace, Availability reports, and more
Combining Control Breaks with filters for refined data views
Temporarily disabling or removing Control Breaks
Saving customized reports with Control Break settings for future use
Key Benefits:
Organize large datasets into meaningful groups for easier analysis
View data hierarchies by applying multiple Control Breaks
Customize any report display to match your workflow needs
Save frequently used groupings as private reports for quick access
Tutorial Available
Access the complete Control Breaks tutorial in the Knowledge Base.
Access the Tutorial: Interactive Menu Tutorial Series - Control Breaks
Additional Resources
This tutorial is part of the Interactive Menu tutorial series. Explore other tutorials in this series to learn about additional customization options available throughout the platform.
Support
For questions about using Control Breaks or the Interactive Menu:
Review the comprehensive tutorial in the Knowledge Base
Contact support at support@refinsight.com
Happy organizing!
The Ref Insight Team
October 12th, 2025
Improved
Overview
An improved Override Request workflow is now available, streamlining communication between assignors and full-access administrators when assigning rule violations require administrative approval. This enhanced feature provides automatic email notifications to all full-access administrators within an account. The efficient bulk justification tool for processing multiple override requests simultaneously remains the same.
Improved Feature Details
Override Request Notifications and Bulk Justification
When assignors encounter rule violations they don't have permission to override, they can now request approval from full-access administrators through an improved workflow that ensures timely notification and efficient processing.
What's Available:
Automatic email notifications to all full-access administrators when override requests are made
Direct link in notification emails to the Bulk Justification area
Override Request filtering to easily identify pending requests
Assignor name and request reason displayed for each violation
Ability to apply the same justification across multiple violations
Automatic cleanup of requests for match assignments older than two weeks
Key Benefits:
Ensure all full-access administrators are immediately notified of override requests
Reduce back-and-forth communication between assignors and administrators
Maintain clear audit trail with assignor names and request reasons
Justified assignments are available for immediate release from the Release Assignments and Assignor Queue areas
Tutorial Available
Complete guidance on the improved override request workflow is now available in the Knowledge Base.
Access the Tutorial: Override Request Notifications to Full-Access Administrators and Bulk Justification
Support
For questions about the override request workflow:
Review the comprehensive tutorial in the Knowledge Base
Contact support at support@refinsight.com
Happy assigning!
The Ref Insight Team
October 11th, 2025
New
Overview
A new invoice creation capability is now available, allowing assignors to create invoices for assignments that no longer appear in the postgame workflow area. This feature ensures that no assignment goes unbilled, even when matches have aged out of the standard workflow view.
New Feature Details
Direct Invoice Creation from Assignment Records
Create invoices directly from individual assignment records, eliminating the limitation of only being able to invoice through the postgame workflow area.
What's Available:
Create Invoice button within individual assignment records
Access to assignments for any match, regardless of workflow visibility
Invoice creation for completed utilization records
Standard invoice functionality including line items, descriptions, and payment options
Ability to release invoices to Payor Portal or mark as paid through other methods
Key Benefits:
Ensure all assignments are invoiced, regardless of when the match occurred
Provide flexibility for handling delayed or missed invoice situations
Maintain complete invoice records for all assignments
How It Works
Access any assignment record through the Matches area, complete utilization if needed, then use the Create Invoice button to generate an invoice in NEW status.
Requirements
Match wrap-up and Crew Utilization must be completed before an invoice can be created
Tutorial Available
Complete guidance on creating invoices for assignments outside the postgame workflow is now available in the Knowledge Base.
Access the Tutorial: Create Invoice for Assignment Not Visible in Postgame Workflow
Support
For questions about creating invoices outside the postgame workflow:
Review the comprehensive tutorial in the Knowledge Base
Contact support at support@refinsight.com
Happy invoicing!
The Ref Insight Team
October 11th, 2025
New
Overview
A new Competition Settings Dashboard is now available, providing administrators and assignors with comprehensive visibility into all configuration settings for a Competition in one centralized location. This convenient dashboard eliminates the need to navigate through multiple areas to understand how a Competition is configured, presenting all settings in an organized, expandable view.
New Feature Details
Competition Settings Dashboard
Access a complete overview of all Competition configuration settings through a single, comprehensive dashboard that displays everything from competition ownership to payment settings in one convenient location.
What's Available:
Centralized view of all Competition-related settings with expandable nested details
Competition Settings: ownership, lead assignor, oversight permissions, and portal users
Schedule Settings: all schedules with role configurations and global assignment rules
Assignor Settings: configuration and permission profiles for each assignor
Self-Assign Summary: daily maximums and role-specific settings across schedules
Payment Summary: default fees, payment methods, and payors by role
Payor Summary: portal users and their permissions
Account Level Settings: match roles and global assigning rules
Key Benefits:
View all Competition settings from a single dashboard without navigating multiple sections
Quickly verify configurations and identify inconsistencies
Streamline onboarding with clear settings overview
Troubleshoot configuration questions faster with complete visibility
How It Works
The dashboard organizes all Competition-related settings into expandable sections covering competition details, schedules, assignors, self-assignment, payments, payors, and account-level configurations. Each section can be expanded to reveal nested settings, making it easy to drill down into specific details without overwhelming the initial view.
Accessing the Dashboard
Navigate to Competitions
Click the magnifying glass next to the Competition you want to review
Click the Binoculars icon to access the Competition Settings Dashboard
Tutorial Available
Complete guidance on using the Competition Settings Dashboard is now available in the Knowledge Base.
Access the Tutorial: Competition Settings Dashboard - View all Settings related to a Competition
Getting Started
Access a Competition you're familiar with to explore the dashboard
Review the tutorial to understand all available information sections
Use the expandable sections to explore nested settings
Use the dashboard as a reference when troubleshooting configuration questions
Support
For questions about the Competition Settings Dashboard feature:
Review the comprehensive tutorial in the Knowledge Base
Contact support at support@refinsight.com
Happy managing!
The Ref Insight Team