This is an entry level course that enables you to qualify as a football referee. The course provides an introduction to the laws of the game as well as developing the practical skills you will need to be a referee.
You must be at least 14 years of age to attend a referees' course and have a reasonable degree of fitness as there is the need to referee matches as part of the course. There is no upper age limit to becoming a referee.
Pre-course study
Once you have completed an application form, paid the course fee and been accepted onto the course you will receive a pre-course study pack. The pack requires you to complete some work before you attend the first course session and it is most important that you do this. Early in the course there will be an assessment of your basic knowledge of the laws of the game and refereeing and you must pass this assessment in order to carry on to complete the course.
The course is structured as five modules.
Module 1- Introduction
This module will introduce you to some key aspects of football including the Laws of the Game and the role of the Referee
Module 2- Practical Element
Practical elements of the course will provide you with an introduction to:
Warming up and cooling down activities
Positioning & movement at both set pieces & in open play
Managing game situations
Signals & communication techniques
FA Safeguarding Children workshop (included in the course programme)
Module 3 – Examination
The pass mark for the examinations is 75% overall.
If you are unsuccessful in the examinations you can take them again after three months.
Module 4 - Refereeing
Once you have completed the tutored part of the course and have passed the examinations you then go on to referee a minimum of six 11 v 11 matches. We will contact the referee’s secretaries of cup, league and youth competitions who can offer you suitable refereeing appointments. Alternatively you could choose to referee matches at a school or for other youth or adult organisations.
Module 5 – Qualification and The Next Steps
Once you have attended modules 1 to 3, passed the examinations and completed module 4 (your six initial matches) you are almost there! You then only need to attend module 5 - a final session designed to prepare you for life as a fully qualified referee and to advise you of the next steps that you can take to develop your skills and knowledge as a referee.
This final session lasts around 2 to 3 hours and includes presentation of your certificate from the Football Association showing that you are now a qualified referee.
For a more detailed explanation of the course involvement please download the Basic Referees Training Guide on the right hand side.
Cost.
18 or over: £82*
16 and 17: £70*
14 and 15: £35**
* £30 will be refunded once you completed the course and refereed six matches.
** £10 will be refunded once you completed the course and refereed six matches.
For more information on becoming a referee and referee courses please contact John Cooke on john.cooke@amateur-fa.com or 020 8733 2613