FA REFEREES’ COURSE INFORMATION

Overview

The FA Referees’ Course provides an introduction to officiating 11v11 and 9v9 football. The course will introduce learners to The Laws of Association Football and their application, delivered through theory and practical elements and focussing on the knowledge, skills and attributes required to operate safely and effectively in grass roots football.

Course Structure

Unit 1:   Pre-course learning (2 hours)

Unit 2:   On-course theory and practical (7 hours)

Unit 3:   On-course theory and practical (3 hours)

Unit 4:   On-course theory and practical (7 hours)

Unit 5:   Referee five matches

Unit 6:   On-course final assessment (2 hours)

Course Content

Through a mixture of theory and practical activity, learners will cover:

  1. Effective communication
  2. Positioning and movement
  3. Penalty kick and free kick management
  4. Managing re-starts
  5. Advantage
  6. Managing players
  7. Recognising and dealing with foul challenges
  8. Cautioning and sending-off procedure
  9. Offside
  10. Dealing with substitutions
  11. Dealing with injuries


Minimum Age

Learners must be 14 or over on the course start date.

Safeguarding Requirements

Before refereeing their five matches (unit 5), leaners must have complied with the FA’s safeguarding requirements.

Qualification

Upon successful completion of units 1-6, learners will be classified as either a Level Y referee (if aged 14 or 15) or a Level 7 referee (if aged 16 or over).  The FA refereeing qualification is awarded only when all 6 units have been successfully completed.

The course dates and times are as follows:


Date 

Time

Session 

Wednesday 17th July 2019

6.30pm-9.30pm

Safeguarding*

Sunday 21st July 2019

9.30am-4.30pm

Practical & Theory

Wednesday 24th July 2019

6.30pm-9.30pm

Theory

Sunday 28th July 2019

9.30am-4.30pm

Practical & Theory

Thursday 7th November 2019

6.30pm-9.30pm

Final Exam


*Only candidates aged 16 and above attend the Safeguarding Children Workshop.Those under 16 complete an online course.



When you start the course will be given:

  • a whistle
  • elasticated wrist lanyard
  • red and yellow cards
  • matchcard wallet with cards and pencil
  • matchpad with 50 sheets
  • assistant referee flag

On the course, you will be given the opportunity to purchase a referee kit. You must have a referee kit before you start refereeing. 


Units 2 and 4 are practical sessions which will take place mostly outside on football pitches. Candidates will need to come to these sessions with suitable clothing for outdoor work (such as training kit for example) plus shin pads and waterproof clothing in case of inclement weather. Candidates will also need to bring a packed lunch to these two sessions plus plenty to drink. Unit 3 takes place indoors and casual wear is acceptable.


Date for completion of 5 matches plus final examination: Wednesday 7th November 2019, 18:30 to 21:30, Orchardside School.


Candidates must attend all sessions to complete the course.


Venue

All course sessions will take place at Orchardside School. The address is:

Orchardside School
230 Bullsmoor Lane
Enfield
London
EN1 4RL

Safeguarding Children Workshop

All candidates on the course must have a safeguarding children certificate. Candidates aged 16 and upwards will need to attend a Safeguarding Children Workshop which is on Wednesday 17th July 2019 at Orchardside School from 18:30 to 21:30.

Candidates aged 14 or 15 will complete an online exercise to receive their certificates and do not need to attend the workshop. Candidates under the age of 16 must complete their online safeguarding module before Sunday 28th July 2019.


Criminal Records (‘CRC’) Checks

Candidates aged 16 and upwards who intend to referee youth football matches will need to have a criminal records check (‘CRC’) in place. We will provide instructions on how to apply online for a CRC before the course begins. When instructions for CRC verification is give, please complete the provided information for a CRC and bring the three documents you chose in your application (the documents must be the original documentation).


Youth football includes competitions or matches involving Under 18s teams or younger. Referees in open age football are not required to have a CRC although this may be subject to change in the future.


Examination and Initial Five Matches

Once through Units 2, 3 and 4 candidates go on to complete a minimum of 5 matches as a referee Unit (5) before they sit the final examinations. We have a panel of experienced referee mentors who can provide advice and support to candidates at this stage. The 5 matches should be completed by the target date if possible. The examination (Unit 6) will be held on Wednesday 7th November 2019 at Ochardside School.


Cost

The course fee is £160 for all age groups.


Please note that course fees are not refundable once a booking is made.


If you would like more information before making a booking please email: sita.srirangan@amateur-fa.com or telephone 020 8733 2613 (Option 5).



The deadline for registration has passed