The AFA can nominate a number of level 5 referees, and any appointment is likely to be as an Assistant Referee.  Nomination does not guarantee an appointment, but, if selected, it is a great opportunity to represent the AFA in the country’s leading Cup competitions.  Matches will often be in an enclosed stadium environment, in front of a paying public and possibly under lights.

Most AFA level 5 referees will be considered for nomination, but the more senior ones may be asked to demonstrate their ability to pass a reduced fitness test, in order to maintain credibility of performance.  If you are in this category and wish to be considered, you are welcome to attend the fitness test, which this year will be held at the Pickett’s Lock athletics track on Sunday 28^th July at 09:00.  The criteria to be achieved are to cover a minimum of 2,400m in a continuous 12 minutes run and to complete 2 x 50m sprints within 7.5 seconds each.  This is the standard required to referee on a “non-marking” division of a Supply League.

The full address is: Pickett’s Lock, Lee Valley Athletics Centre (Outdoor Track), Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London, N9 0AS.  There is a nominal charge for track use, changing and showers.

We will be holding the compulsory fitness test for those wishing to be promoted to level 4 at the same time, but the standard they will be looking to achieve is 2,600m in the 12 minute run.

Steve Tate is the AFA Fitness Co-ordinator and he will be giving advice and practical help with warming-up, stretching and warming-down exercises, as well as holding the stopwatch for the tests.

This year we are opening the fitness test to all AFA referees, not just to promotion candidates or for nomination for FA competitions.  If you are interested and want to attend, please contact the AFA's Referee Development Officer John Cooke at john.cooke@amateur-fa.com.