Absolutely anyone (aged 14 or over) can take up refereeing and once qualified can referee as often or as little as they like.
Getting qualified is straightforward. Simply choose one of the Referees Courses we have running around the County throughout the year using our Online Booking System.
If you don’t want to pay by credit / debit card using the Online System, simply download and complete the attached form, then return it to us with your payment.
Referees Course
Once you’ve booked a place you’ll receive confirmation, either by e-mail or letter, by return. Then, a week before the course you’ll receive a Pre-Course Study Pack which includes: -
- Confirmation letter
- CRB Disclosure Form & Guidance Notes
- Pre-Course Study Booklet
- Glossary & Preamble
- Copy of the Laws of the Game
- Interactive “Learn the Laws” CD-Rom
The majority of the course is run over two full days (9.30am – 5pm), held on consecutive Sundays, although during the summer we offer “intensive” courses where the two days are held in one weekend (Saturday & Sunday).
The first morning of day one welcomes you to the world of refereeing (Module 1), containing general information and helpful contacts for people to use once they’ve completed the course, including an introduction to the Referees Association.
The remainder of day one covers most of the fundamental and basic laws of the game (Module 2) through various interactive sessions, as well as a coaching session on Assistant Refereeing.
Day two covers some of the more complex and detailed laws of the game (also Module 2), through more interactive sessions including the chance to have a go at recognising challenges and judging offside.
Exams (Module 3) are held the following midweek in the evening. There are two parts to the exams, the first being a multi-choice exam based on watching clips on a DVD and the second being a multi-choice exam based on a written paper.
Once successful on the exams, six 11-a-side games (9 v 9 if girl’s football) must be refereed (Module 4). Help and support is provided in the form of a “Mentor” who is an experienced referee, available at the end of a phone and who may also come to watch some of the games. Upon completion the “Record of Achievement” Form must be completed and returned to the RDO.
If not successful on the exam a re-take, at no cost, can be undertake a minimum of three months after the original exam.
Having completed six games, a final afternoon (Module 5) of additional training, sharing experiences and discussion must be attended to complete the Referees’ qualification.
CRB Disclosure & Safeguarding Children Qualifications
All candidates aged 18 and over have to undertake an FA CRB Check as part of the course. CRB Forms are generally sent out with the Pre-Course Study Pack and these should be brought along to first day of the course, with three forms of identification to be verified.
Unfortunately, CRB Checks undertaken through other organisations are not transferable.
All candidates must also complete Safeguarding Children training as part of their qualification.
For candidates under 16 years of age this consists of reading a booklet, watching some DVD clips and successfully completing a Checklist. The packs are given out on the first day of the course and must be returned the following week.
Any candidates 16 and over must attend and successfully complete a three hour workshop. The workshop is arranged as part of the course.
The cost of both of these is included in the cost of the course.
Costs
- 18 and over - £77* (includes Safeguarding Children Workshop & CRB check)
- 16 - 17 year olds - £65* (includes Safeguarding Children Workshop)
- Under 16 - £35* (includes Safeguarding Children CD ROM)
*On completion of 6 matches, under 16’s receive a £10 refund, 16 and over receive a £30 refund, plus, you keep the fees and expenses paid for officiating those matches.