REFEREES
 

Be a Referee For 11 v 11 Football
 
What do the courses involve ?
For those who are accepted onto the course, a study-pack is issued a week or so before an Introduction evening is held where candidates meet the tutors, complete all the necessary paperwork and learn more about what is expected from them.
 
Classroom-based instruction for a minimum of 12 hours is provided on the Laws of the Game and on refereeing in practice. Normally this is done as evening class sessions of two hours a night, one night a week for six or eight weeks. Alternatively, some intensive courses are held with a six hour session on a Saturday and a Sunday followed by examinations at the end of the last day or perhaps a few days later. Believe it or not, all referee candidates have to take an eyesight test at the start of the course!
 
The Examinations:

(i)

        A half-hour, multiple choice examination

(ii)

        DVD-based, multiple choice examination

(iii)

        a practical refereeing skills examination

The Course Leader will decide which two from the above list are to be used at the final stage of the course. 
 
Safeguarding Children & CRB Checks:
All candidates aged 18 or over at the date of the examinations must also apply during the course for a Criminal Records Bureau check, unless they have already applied for such a check through the FA CRB Unit within the last three years. The procedure includes producing 3 pieces of evidence of identity, e.g. the originals of a passport, a driving licence, a birth certificate or any other qualifying document. The vast majority of people with convictions have nothing to fear from the process and can qualify as a referee without any problems as the FA CRB Unit is only aiming to keep out of the game individuals who are a threat to children. For more information, please CLICK HERE: a facility to speak in confidence is also available on the FA FREEPHONE number of 0800 085 0506.
 
All courses also include a three hour Child Protection and Best Practice Workshop. Anyone who has already attended such a Workshop organised through the FA within the last three years (e.g. in order to obtain a coaching qualification) does not however have to attend the Workshop again.
 
Are there minimum or maximum ages ?
Candidates must be aged at least 14 when they take the oral examination. There is no maximum age.
 
What qualifications do I get ?
On satisfactory completion of the course, you will be registered as a Level 7 (junior) referee, unless you are aged 14 or 15, when you will be registered as a Level 8 (youth) referee.
 
What does it cost ?
The amount payable depends on the age of the candidate. The table below shows the sums payable.

 

Age 14 or 15

Age 16 or above

Course fee (refundable – see below)

10.00

30.00

PLUS

 

 

Referee registration fee, SG Workshop, CRB Check, Admin

50.00

50.00

 

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TOTAL

£60.00

£80.00

 

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Once candidates have passed the examinations and refereed six, 11-a-side games, they can submit their match record that will trigger a refund of the course fees, i.e. £10.00 if aged 14 or 15 or £30.00 if aged 16 or over.
 
No concessions are granted to the fees listed above. This is because course fees will be refunded once a candidate has passed the examinations and refereed six 11-a-side games and because they will be paid a match fee for each game that they referee: the match fee can be as much as £20 per game in most “parks level” leagues in the County.
 
Course fees will not be refunded to candidates unable to complete a course successfully because the costs of running a course have to be shared by all candidates. West Riding County FA will however look favourably on requests by candidates who do not complete a course successfully to be transferred onto another course without having to pay any additional fees. 
 
When do the courses start ?
There are courses held at intervals throughout the year subject to demand (we aim to have approximately 20 candidates on each course). Details will be published on the website and candidates will be advised that a place is to be offered to them.
 
Where are the courses held ?
At various venues all around the WRCFA area. Information about courses and venues will be added to the website as soon as the arrangements have been confirmed.
 
What help do I get when I have qualified ?
Plenty !   The following assistance is available:

*

Your course tutors will offer support in the early days after qualification, including practical advice on matters such as buying kit, finding suitable leagues, etc.

*

Links with the youth academies of some of the professional clubs in our area, so that the basics of officiating can be learned in an environment free from undisciplined players and unruly spectators. This is especially important for those aged 18 and below.

*

Ongoing training courses targeted at various levels of experience, starting with sessions for people who have been refereeing for six months.

*

Automatic membership of the Football Association Match Officials Association.

*

The opportunity to join local referees’ societies and the national Referees’ Association.

*

A promotion scheme.

*

And much more besides !

 
Is there anything else I must do ?
Referees must re-register with the WRCFA by 31st May each year. At the moment the annual re-registration fee is £15.00 but it may differ from year to year.
 
How do I apply ?

Click HERE for a list of Scheduled Courses

or simply telephone the Referees Department at the WRCFA office on... 

0113 282 1222 or 0113 282 2358

to register your interest