PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS COURSE UNLESS YOU CAN ATTEND ALL DATES

Before attending the course you will be required to complete a pre-course home study pack. The pack will test your knowledge on the Laws of The Game. As part of the pre-course instructions you will be sent a copy of the Laws of The Game to assist you with the pre-course work.

Students will be required to bring the following equipment:                                   

1.     Packed lunch and drinks.

2.     Shin pads and suitable footwear for a 3G surface. Please note metal or plastic studs will not be allowed on the pitch.

3.     Appropriate clothing for indoor and outdoor practical sessions which may include wet weather.

4.     Pen and note pad.

NB – Bedfordshire FA provide a Central Appointments System (CAS) that encompasses all leagues within the County. All referee appointments are made by Bedfordshire FA based on the availability given by each match official. This means you will not be permitted to enrol onto the course if you are intending to officiate for one club i.e. Club Referee. The structure of this system will be explained in detail at your Induction Evening.

As part of the course students are required to complete a Criminal Records Check (CRC) and attend a Safeguarding Workshop. Details are provided below:

Under the age of 17: Students will be sent a link via email prior to the course, to access the online Safeguarding Workshop. Students MUST complete the qualification before attending the full course.

16 years old and over: Students are required to complete an FA Criminal Records check. The online application form will be sent out via email prior to the course and students must bring their verification documents in a sealed envelope on the first day of the course (Induction Evening). The cost of the check is £10.00 which can be paid online with a debit/credit card after your documents have been verified.

Students 17 years old and over: You will also be required to attend a three hour Safeguarding Workshop which will be held a Bedfordshire FA. Dates of the course can be found by clicking this link below;

https://eventspace.thefa.com/bedfordshirefa/participant/s.aspx?eventlen=55

You will not be permitted to enrol on the first day of the course if the above requirements (CRC & Safeguarding) have not been completed. Your place may be offered to another candidate in these circumstances.

Please note the Safeguarding Course is free of charge and students must email Sharon Lloyd or Nicky Fearn to manually book onto the course – Sharon.Lloyd@Bedfordshirefa.com  or Nicky.Fearn@Bedfordshirefa.com

Bedfordshire FA Learning Agreement:

My booking on the course above confirms that I understand:

Cancellation:  If I cancel my booking I will inform Bedfordshire FA and will be entitled to a credit note for the value of the following, minus a transaction fee:

  -   75% return if 2 months’ notice given

  -   50% return if 1 month notice given

  -   25% return if less than one month given

  -   No return if less than 10 days given

 •    I will respect the course tutor, course venue and the other candidates and their points of view. I understand that if my behaviour, language or conduct is deemed ‘unacceptable’, ’offensive’ or ‘harmful’ for any reason, Bedfordshire FA and the venue reserves the right to exclude me for continuing on my chosen course and if necessary, future courses.

•    Bedfordshire FA does not accept responsibility for the loss, or damage to, candidate property or for personal injury however caused and that I will ensure that I am protected with my own personal insurance cover through other bodies.

•    I confirm that I understand the above statements and their implications and that the information I have provided on this form is correct to the very best of my knowledge.
•    If you are under General Suspension you cannot attend the course until you have been cleared of any such suspension.

This course must be 100% attended in order for you to be awarded a certificate upon completion.

FA Referee Course & Starter Pack Prices

FA Referee Course only - £145.00

FA Referee Course only** - £170.00

FA Referee Course plus Full Starter Pack - £199.99

FA Referee Course plus Full Starter Pack** - £224.99

FA Referee Course plus Full Starter Pack with Bedfordshire FA Badge - £204.99

FA Referee Course plus Mini Starter Pack - £169.99

FA Referee Course plus Mini Starter Pack** - £194.99

** Candidates residing outside of Bedfordshire i.e. Do not have a Bedfordshire postcode.

Please ensure you select the correct option when paying for The FA Referee Course to avoid issues with enrolment. If you are unsure, please contact Bedfordshire FA. If your home address if not in Bedfordshire, you will be required to pay the price(s) marked with **.

Full Starter Pack:

Referee Shirt

Referee Shorts

Referee Socks

Assistant Referee Flags

Fox 40 Pro Whistle

Whistle Wrist Lanyard

Referee Notebook

Match Record Pad

Red/Yellow Cards

Full Starter Pack (with Bedfordshire FA Badge):

Referee Shirt (with badge included)

Referee Shorts

Referee Socks

Assistant Referee Flags

Fox 40 Pro Whistle

Whistle Wrist Lanyard

Referee Notebook

Match Record Pad

Red/Yellow Cards

Mini Starter Pack (does not include referee kit):

Assistant Referee Flags

Fox 40 Pro Whistle

Whistle Wrist Lanyard

Referee Notebook

Match Record Pad

Red/Yellow Cards

Your Starter Pack will be delivered to you on the course provided that your order was placed within 14 days of the course commencing. If your Starter Pack is ordered less than 14 days before the course commences, we are unable to guarantee delivery on the course itself.

What will I get on the course for my money?

In addition to the services of FA Referee Tutors, the following is included in the price:

·         A copy of the latest FIFA Laws of the Game booklet

·         An interactive DVD on the Laws of the Game

·         A pre-course study programme (Unit 1)

·         FA Referee course materials

·         FA Safeguarding Children training

·         FA 'Respect' training

·         FA registration fee for the current season

·         Appointment to fixtures based on the availability you provide

·         Detailed information and documentation on your next steps

·         A certificate of qualification… following an initial five 11v11 or 9v9 games and the successful passing of a final examination on the FIFA Laws of the Game

·         County FA Referee badge (if not ordered with your kit)

·         The services of the Bedfordshire FA Referee Development Team

·         Enrolment onto the Bedfordshire FA Referee Scholarship Programme (details explained at the Induction Evening)

Will I need to undertake FA Safeguarding Children Training?

All referees have to undertake FA Safeguarding Children training before they will be able to register with The FA as a referee. You will complete this either before or during the course and certification will last for 3 years. The cost of this is included in the course fee.

Candidates under the age of 17 will be required to complete the Online FA Safeguarding Children training. Candidates aged 17+ will be required to attend the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop.

Will I need to undertake FA CRC (formerly known as a FA CRB) check?

All referees aged 16 years or over must undertake an FA CRC enhanced check. This is a simple on-line process, which can be completed prior to the commencement of the course. Certification last for 3 years. The cost of this is included in the course fee.

How is the rest of the course structured?

After completion of the pre-course study programme (Unit 1), you will move onto Unit 2 of the overall course, which contains the following sessions:

1) Fouls and Misconduct Training - Unit 2:

This is a 2-hour session, which will include ‘Recognising Challenges’ and the Misconduct procedure. This will be delivered at the Induction Evening.

2) Practical Referee Training - Unit 3:

This is an all-day session so you will need to come prepared with food and drinks etc., plus come suitably dressed; a change of footwear is essential as are shin-guards. It will involve learning how to referee outside on the field of play and involve some classroom work. You will be given the learning resources and all necessary equipment (whistle, red/yellow cards etc.) at this session but you will need to bring a pen and pad to take notes. At the end of this day, you will have the opportunity to referee part of a game among your group of candidates.

3) Practical Referee Training and Evaluation - Unit 4:

This is a second all-day session, which will be mostly completed outside on the field of play. The second part of the day includes a practical evaluation where you will have another opportunity to referee part of a game among the group. The evaluation will include staged scenarios, which will provide you with opportunity to consolidate your learning from the previous sessions and receive immediate feedback.

Provided you attain the minimum standard required when evaluated, you will be sanctioned to operate as an FA Level T (trainee) referee.

4) Experience & Mentored Unit - Unit 5:

Having successfully graduated from the first four units of the training course, you will now officiate in a minimum of five (5) games of football within either 9v9 or 11v11 football. During these games we aim to provide you with continued support through the use of our FA Referee Mentors. A record of these games is compiled as evidence of your development. During this period, in addition to gaining practical experience, you will have time to learn and revise the Laws of the Game thoroughly before returning to complete the final unit of the course.

5) FA Examination & Call Back Unit - Unit 6:

This is a 2-hour session and the final part of the course. It involves the successful completion of the FA Examination of the Laws of the Game (a multiple-choice examination of approx. 30 minutes duration), and an opportunity to review and discuss your learning experiences from your games thus far as a trainee referee. You will be rewarded with an FA Referee Certificate of Qualification along with an FA Referee badge when successful completion of the course is attained.

Unit 6 can only be attended and completed when a minimum of five (5) games as an FA Level 9 (trainee) referee have been refereed. The County FA will advise you of the dates of the Unit 6 sessions throughout the season and these can be planned in with your course tutor. It is possible to attend an alternative date either earlier or later if necessary but this final session must be completed within 4 calendar months of the date of the first Practical Training Session at the start of Unit 2.

Please note to access this online application, you will need a FAN (FA Number).

If have ever been involved in football or taken an FA Qualification, it is highly likely you already have a FAN. If you do not know your FAN or password, or need to create a FAN, please use our FAN FINDER tool by clicking to register/retrieve your details.

Please be aware that if you already have a FAN, and create another FAN, this could cause delays in being confirmed on the course and any qualifications being awarded.