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1. How do I become a Referee?
2. Classification Levels for Referees in England
and Promotion Requirements (From 2001/2002 Season onwards):
3. Enhanced Promotion:
4. Recruitment, Basic Referee Training and Initial Examination:
5. The Football Association Two Tier System For Training Referees:
6. Referee Registration:
7.
The Pyramid System Promotion for Referees & League Structure:
8.
Order of
Preference of appointments (in England):
1. How do I become a Referee in England? Take me back to the top of this page
To become a Referee you need to display commitment, a desire to succeed, be willing to learn the application of the Laws of the Game. There are several ways of registering your interest to become a Referee in England:
Referees Training Courses in England can be here found on the FA website or by contacting your County FA.
The standard criteria for promotion adopted by all County Football Associations in England 's are regulated by The Football Association in London. These have been developed jointly with the FA in London and the County FA's to ensure that whichever parent County a prospective Referee belongs to, the criteria for becoming a Referee, and in achieving promotion is the same throughout England.
Anyone interested in becoming a Referee in Scotland should go to
the Scottish FA web site http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/referees/index.htm
and either contact your local Scottish Referees' Association listed or email the Scottish FA.
(For United States Referees' go to USSOCCER: Or their web
site's State Referee Committee Email Directory for a list of State Association administrators. Or for
information on how you can become an AYSO certified referee, please contact your local
AYSO Regional Commissioner or e-mail education@ayso.org
) Click here for AYSO Referee Certification levels.)
Foreign Referees Wishing to Referee in
England:
Foreign Referees who are temporarily working in England and wish to continue their Refereeing whilst they are here, should firstly contact the respective County Football Association Football Association (FA) where they are residing, to ask them if their Refereeing qualifications are acceptable here in England. If the qualification is acceptable (and it very often is) then they will need to register themselves as a Referee with the respective County FA.
At the very worst, Referees from abroad could retake the Referees' exam here in England - this is easy enough to pass.
The respective County FA will then become the foreign Referee's parent County FA. When the Referee moves around the country, they can become an affiliated member of other County FA's, thus allowing them to officiate in other County area's whilst remaining registered with the parent County FA. The process is run by the County FA's, each of who have an FA Referees' Appointments Secretary.
In the first place, foreign Referees should locate the County where they are residing in at present, and select the appropriate FA Referees' Regional Manager - and email them for details of the respective County Referees' Appointments Secretary - they will be able to get the process rolling.
Details of County FA's can also be found here:
Or email me (webmaster Julian Carosi) and I will see what I can do
for you. 
FA booklet Go here for a pdf downloadable booklet giving excellent advice for Newly Qualified Referees.
2. Classification Levels for Referees in England
and promotion requirements:
Take me back to the top of this page
The Promotion Structure and Referee Classification Levels in England
The Classification Levels shown below, were introduced in season 2001/2002. Prior to this, there were only 3 levels of Referees, Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3.
The current Level 5 and above categories, were previously know as Class 1 & 1X levels.
On behalf of The Football Association in England, each Affiliated Association (County Football Association) must classify Referees administered by their Association. The classification period runs from 1 June in each year, or the date of successful completion of the initial examination, to the following 31 May.
As at 1 June each year Referees in England are to be classified as follows;
International Level:
Level 1 National List:
Level 2 Panel List:
Level 3 Contributory Referees:
Level 4 Supply League Referees:
Level 5 Senior County Referees:
Level 6 County Referees:
Level 7 Junior Referees not in Level 8 or below:
Level 8: Youth Referee:
Level 9: Trainee Referee:
Level 1O: Declared non-active Referees.
Described below, are details showing the various levels of football at which a Referee can operate in; and the promotion requirements.
International Level: Referees who are on the FIFA List of Referees. Annual nomination by The Football Association to FIFA, selected from those eligible Referees as at the date of nomination determined by FIFA.
Level 1 National List: Referees selected by The Football Association to serve on the National List of Referees and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level. National List Referees are those Referees that are selected by the Association, eligible for appointment to games in the FA Premier League, the Football League and other matches as determined from time to time.
Selection and promotion within Level 1 will be determined as follows: Referees who satisfy the criteria established by The Association from time to time and those who have been promoted from Level 2 for outstanding ability as determined by The Association from time to time.
Level 2 Panel List: Referees selected by The Football Association to serve on the Panel List of Referees and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level. Panel List Referees are those Referees that are selected by the Association, eligible for appointment to games in the Football Conference, FA Premier League Reserve League, Football League Reserve Leagues, Central League, the Football Combination and other matches determined from time to time.
Selection and promotion within Level 2 will be determined as follows: Referees who satisfy the criteria established by The Association from time to time and those who have been promoted from Level 3 for outstanding ability as determined by The Association from time to time.
Panel Referees (Level 2) are also National List Assistant Referees who have been successfully interviewed by members of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, through their performance as a Contributory League Referee.
Level 2 officials are regularly assessed for consideration for promotion to the National List of Referees (Level 1).
Level 3 Contributory Referees: Referees, other than those on the Panel List of Referees, selected to officiate on a Contributory League and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level. Contributory Leagues - are nominated divisions, within specific Leagues as determined and considered by the Football Association, suitable for the advancement of Referees from Level 3.
Selection and promotion within Level 3 will be determined as follows: Referees who satisfy the criteria established by The Association from time to time and those who have been promoted from Level 4 for outstanding ability as determined by The Association from time to time.
Promotion to Contributory League Referee (Level 3) requires the Referee to be selected for, and be successful, at an interview. The selection for interview, by members of the Contributory League Review Board, is based on the Referee's performance as a Supply League (Level 4) Referee and his performance as a Contributory League Assistant Referee. This is where the dedication, commitment and demands, both physical and the personal time, of Level 3 officials are that much greater than what the Referee has had to endure before. The step up into Level 3 is probably the biggest step in a Referee's career. It is here that total dedication is expected, and competition for promotion places becomes very competitive. Only the very best move up into the even higher levels.
Bandings
The Football Association, at its discretion, may issue bandings for Referees and Assistant Referees. These bandings are designed to give a Match Official an indication as to their individual position on the Merit Table. Due to the large number of Officials on the Referee and Assistant Referees Lists, the bandings will be from A-E, with Band A being the highest band.
Bandings are as follows:
Band A Top 20%
Band B 21%-40%
Band C 41%-60%
Band D 61%-80%
Band E Bottom 20%
Level 4 Supply League Referees: Referees selected to officiate on a Supply League and who meet the requirements of the promotion criteria for this level.
Supply Leagues - are nominated divisions, within specific Leagues as determined and considered by the Football Association, suitable for the advancement of Referees from Level 4.
Selection and promotion within Level 4 will be determined as follows: Referees who have been selected to act as an Assistant Referee on the National List of Contributory Match Officials, following nomination by an Affiliated Association to The Football Association, and those Referees who satisfy the criteria established by The Football Association from time to time.
To gain promotion to Level 4, a Referee must continue to display the dedication and commitment already demonstrated in their earlier promotions.
They must also be under 43 years of age at the 1st March in the year of nomination to Level 4, and they must complete a fitness test.
This entails a continuous run for 12 minutes during which a minimum distance of 2500 metres must be covered to measure stamina.
Following a break, two separate sprints of 50 metres within 7.5 seconds each must be run - to measure speed off the mark.
Once Referees have successfully carried out the fitness test, their name may be submitted by the County FA to the Contributory League Review Board for consideration to join the National List of Contributory League Assistant Referees. If invited, they will have to attend one of The Football Association's fitness tests in either June or July. It is upon successful completion of this test and subsequent attendance at a seminar that successful Referees will be classified as a Level 4 Referee and be able carry out the duties of an Assistant Referee in the Contributory League system. Level 4 Referees will also be allocated a Supply League to officiate on. The County FA in conjunction with the relevant Supply Leagues will do this.
The Supply League competition is the vehicle to the next step up the Refereeing ladder. There are a further three steps, but by achieving Level 4, a Referee has entered the world of semi-professional football and the top 2000 officials in the country.
Note 1: The age limit for a Contributory Assistant Referee is 43 if you are not on the National List; 48 if you are.
Note 2: For promotion to Level 4 and above Referees will be required to successfully complete a fitness test and a written examination, as determined by The Football Association, annually prior to having their classification confirmed. On initial selection for promotion to a higher level, Referees may be required to attend an interview to ascertain their suitability against criteria determined by The Football Association.
On initial promotion to Level 4, the Affiliated Association who administers the Referee must allocate the Referee to an appropriate Supply League.
The Football Association will determine the acceptable number of matches required for consideration to be selected to Levels 4 and above.
Level 5 Senior County Referees: This classification includes Referees who have served at a higher level.
A Senior County Referee is a Referee who has demonstrated to the satisfaction of The Football Association, Affiliated Association or Service Association as required by FA regulations, the ability to officiate at Level 5. If you achieve Senior County Referee status you may be nominated by the County FA for promotion to Level 4.
Prior to season 2001/2002, Level 5 (and above) Referees were previously known as Class 1 or 1X levels.
Where a Referee as achieved a level higher than Level 5 and is not retained, the Referee is to be classified as a Level 5 Referee, with the option of further promotion in the normal way or until a status of non-active is declared by the individual.
A Service Association is an Affiliated Association having responsibility for the administration of the game as determined by The Football Association from time to time in or relating to the "Armed Forces" (the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force).
The responsibility of promoting Referees to Level 5 rests with the Affiliated Association in which the Referee resides and who administers the Referee's registration. In accordance with the marking year all selections to Level 5 must be made by 25 March each year.
For promotion from Level 6 to Level 5 (and/or Level 4), the Referee must:
Apply for promotion in writing to the Affiliated Association by no later than 1 June preceding the season in which promotion is sought.
Promotion is based on a Referee's practical performance on the field of play determined from Competitions for players over the age of 16 years by:
Assessment reports and markings given by Referees' Assessors on a minimum of three games. An Assessor is an individual authorised by The Football Association to carry out assessments at levels determined by the Football Association. Assessments are written appraisals of a Referee's performance on the field of play, carried out by an Assessor, on behalf of The Football Association, Affiliated Association or Competition and submitted to the appropriate body. Marks are a numerical indication of a Referee's performance on the field of play, awarded by an Assessor on completion of an Assessment, on a scale defined by The Football Association (1 to 100). It is important for Referees seeking promotion to inform the Assessors' Appointment Secretary of their appointments so that they can be assessed on a minimum of three matches.
Club marks received: Clubs in Supply League football (or equivalent) and below, mark the Referee's performance on a scale of 1-10. Club marks are a numerical indication of a Referee's performance on the field of play, reported by competing Clubs after a match. These marks along with marks obtained from Assessor assessments, are used in promotion criteria.
Officiating as a Referee in a minimum of twenty games during any one marking period.
If eligible to be promoted to Level 4, act as an officially appointed Assistant Referee in at least five games.
Attending an in-service training seminar as determined by The Football Association, (the respective parent County FA will inform the Referee of these).
Successfully completing a written multiple-choice examination on the Laws of the Game set by The Football Association (examinations are usually held at the same time as the in-service training).
Club Marks and Assessments are to be collated by the Affiliated Association during the marking season from 1st March in any year until the last day of February in the following year.
Once the above promotion criteria have been fulfilled, the decision for promotion rests with the Referees' Committee of the County FA. Usually this takes place during a meeting in March.
Level 6 County Referees: A County Referee is a Referee who has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Football Association, Affiliated Association or Service Association as required by FA regulations, the ability to officiate at Level 6.
Prior to season 2001/2002, Level 6 Referees were previously known as Class 2 & 2X levels.
The responsibility of promoting Referees to Level 6 rests with the Affiliated Association in which the Referee resides and who administers the Referee's registration. In accordance with the marking year all selections to Level 6 must be made by 30 April each year.
For promotion from Level 7 to Level 6 the Referee must:
Apply for promotion in writing to the Affiliated Association by no later than 1 June preceding the season in which promotion is sought.
Promotion is based on a Referee's practical performance on the field of play determined from Competitions for players over the age of 16 years by:
Assessment reports and markings given by Referees' Assessors on a minimum of three games. An Assessor is an individual authorised by The Football Association to carry out assessments at levels determined by the Football Association. Assessments are written appraisals of a Referee's performance on the field of play, carried out by an Assessor, on behalf of The Football Association, Affiliated Association or Competition and submitted to the appropriate body. Marks, are a numerical indication of a Referee's performance on the field of play, awarded by an Assessor on completion of an Assessment, on a scale defined by The Football Association (1 to 100). It is important for Referees seeking promotion to inform the Assessors' Appointment Secretary of their appointments so that they can be assessed on a minimum of three matches.
Club marks received: Clubs in Supply League football (or equivalent) and below, mark the Referee's performance on a scale of 1-10. Club marks are a numerical indication of a Referee's performance on the field of play, reported by competing Clubs after a match. These marks along with marks obtained from Assessor assessments, are used in promotion criteria.
Officiating as a Referee in a minimum of twenty games during any one marking period.
Attending an in-service training seminar as determined by The Football Association, (the respective parent County FA will inform the Referee of these).
Successfully completing a written multiple-choice examination on the Laws of the Game set by The Football Association (examinations are usually held at the same time as the in-service training).
Club Marks and Assessments are to be collated by the Affiliated Association during the marking season from 1st March in any year until the last day of February in the following year.
Once the above promotion criteria have been fulfilled, the decision for promotion rests with the Referees' Committee of the County FA. Usually this takes place during a meeting in March.
Level 7 Junior Referees not in Level 8 or below: A Junior Referee is a Referee who has completed successfully the Basic Referees Course, having reached the age of 16 years.
Note: Prior to season 2001/2002, Level 7 Referees were previously known as Class 3 Referees.
A Level 7 Referee must serve a minimum of one Registration Period before applying for promotion to Level 6. After this promotion a Referee can proceed at the rate he is capable of. No Affiliated Association may impose any other qualification periods which cause delayed passage through the promotion pyramid.
Level 8 Youth Referee: A Level 8 includes all Referees between the ages of 14 and 16 as at 1st March each season. A Level 8 Referee will automatically become a Level 7 Referee on successful completion of the Basic Referees' Course and having attained the age of 16. Referees under the age of 16 are eligible only to officiate in Competitions for players aged under 16.
Level 9 Trainee Referee: Trainee Referees undertaking the Basic Training Course will be registered as Level 9. A Level 9 Referee will automatically become a Level 7 Referee on successful completion of the Basic Referees Course (Tier 2) and having attained the age of 16.
Trainee Referees, once registered as such, may be appointed as Match Officials in accordance with FA Regulations.
On passing Tier 1 of the 'Two-Tier' Basic Referees course, a Trainee Referee can register with the local County FA as a Level 9 Trainee Referee. This will cover them for public liability insurance. If they join the local Referees' Society, the registration also includes personal insurance, as long as they Register as a Level 9.
A Level 9 Trainee Referee is a potential candidate who has undergone the Basic (Tier 1) Referees Course, having successfully demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of the Laws of Associated Football, but has yet to take the initial Tier 2 examination.
Level 10 Declared non-active Referees: This can include assessors, instructors, ex-Referees, fitness trainers etc.
CURRENT FITNESS TESTS IN OPERATION IN ENGLAND
1. FIFA, National List, Panel League and Contributory League Referees
Their general fitness test includes:
2 runs of 50 metres in 7.5 seconds - to measure speed off the mark.
A minimum of 2700 metres in 12 minutes - to measure stamina.
Speed and agility sprints (FIFA and National List Officials only).
2. Contributory Assistant Referees (Level 4)
The general fitness test includes:
2 runs of 50 metres in 7.5 seconds - to measure speed off the mark.
A minimum of 2500 metres in 12 minutes - to measure stamina.
3. Local League Officials
No standardised fitness test exists for referees at this level, but it is suggested that all officials should be able to complete 2200 metres in 12 minutes. Before starting to referee, complete your Fitness Awareness Profile and be able to run 1800 metres in 12 minutes.
Disclaimer: The Law on Age Discrimination introduced on 1 Oct 2006 may have an influence on the age limits shown above.
What
does "must serve a minimum of one Registration Period in each of Level 7 and
Level 6" to gain promotion actually mean?
Referees must serve a minimum of one Registration Period in Level 7.
To explain this, I have posted two questions below:
1. If a Level 8 Youth Referee who was 15 when he registered on June
1st becomes a Level 7 Junior Referee on reaching his 16th birthday in November, can he be
promoted at the end of that season to Level 6, or does a Referee have to complete a
'whole' registration period (e.g. the whole of next season as Level 7 before he is
considered for promotion?)
2. Similarly, if a Level 7 Referee passes his exam and is registered in November, can he
be promoted at the end of that season, or does he have to complete a whole registration
period (e.g. the whole of next season as Level 7 before he is considered for promotion?)
Answer from the England FA:
The registration period (in England) runs from the 1st June to 31st
May and to obtain promotion from level 7-6 or 6-5, an individual has to be registered a
whole season to meet the criteria.
Therefore it is not normally possible to receive a 'double' jump in one registration period.
Referees who are promoted (25th March for Level 7-6 or 30th April for Level 6-5) will not
start their new level till 1st June. At
this point they may however, apply for promotion to the next level on the basis they will
be spending the next registration period at their promoted level.
In respect of Question 1 and 2 above, both individuals will have to complete a whole
registration period as level 7's to meet the criteria for promotion to the next level.
3. Enhanced Promotion: Take me back to the top of this page
A new 'Enhanced Promotion' system, came into force on 1 March 2004. This system allows the very keen and dedicated officials to potentially move from Junior County Referees (Level 7) to become Contributory League Assistant Referees officials (Level 4) in just 12 months. The criteria for moving from Level 7 to Level 4 are same as if achieved over the normal two promotion periods. However, for those exceptionally dedicated referees who have demonstrated the potential for enhanced promotion and can fit in the required matches and have the ability, there is a possibility to achieve level 5 in twelve months. It is expected that the vast majority of Referees will still complete promotion by the established route.
The criteria is no different to that described for promotion from Level 7 to 6 and Level 6 to 5. However in September of each year the County FA Referees' Committee will review all those Referees who are being considered for promotion to Level 6 to see if they demonstrate the potential for a further enhanced promotion to Level 5 and potentially Level 4.
To identify Level 7 Referees who are showing promise and to consider them for a promotion directly to Level 5, supporting evidence is gathered for this enhanced "double promotion". The County Referees' Committee will seek further first hand knowledge of the Referee's performance by providing the Referee with more challenging matches e.g. higher division matches in local leagues, games in later rounds of County Competitions. Referees being considered for enhanced promotion would require an additional 20 games and a further three assessments at the higher level of challenge. They will also be required to act as an Assistant Referee in five officially appointed games. The referee must also attend a further in-service course for Level 6 to 5 and take the appropriate examination.
The timetable below is typical for those selected by County FAs for enhanced promotion.
March - September
September - March
If selected by County FA Referees Committee for enhanced promotion:
March
Promoted to Level 5 and potential nomination to Level 4 (where a fitness test is also required).
Note: Enhanced promotion from Level 7 to Level 5 (and potentially Level 4) in one season, will only apply to a very small number of Referees who show extraordinary potential officiating in games determined from Competitions for players over the age of 16 years. It will require the candidate to have completed 40 games, 5 Assistant Referee appointments, attend 2 in-service training seminars and be successful in 2 examinations, and to have had at least 6 assessments leading to a recommendation for promotion.
4. Recruitment, Basic Referee Training and Initial Examination: Take me back to the top of this page
The Basic Referees Course, is a course of instruction as determined by
the Football Association leading to the examination of Referee candidates. The
Basic Syllabus has a minimum of six sessions of training spread over a period of
weeks or concentrated into a continuous course is still an acceptable way of
qualifying.
|
Descriptor |
Cost |
Total |
||
|
|
16
& Over |
Under
16 |
16
& Over |
Under
16 |
|
Training
Fee |
30.00 |
10.00 |
30.00 |
10.00 |
|
Registration
Fee |
15.00 |
15.00 |
45.00 |
25.00 |
|
CRB
Check |
12.00 |
12.00 |
57.00 |
37.00 |
|
Child
Protection |
12.00 |
12.00 |
69.00 |
49.00 |
These
costs are variable dependant on the age of the new recruit and whether they are
compelled to undertake Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and Child Protection
Training.
The Two-Tier examination is an alternative FA approved training method currently in development. Some County FA's still use the single tier Referee training approach where candidates who have completed training take an oral and a written test. Other Counties use the 2 Tier Referee Training method. The Tier 1 Referees' Course, covers the knowledge and understanding of the Laws of Associated Football. Tier 2 focuses more on Law application and is designed to teach the skills and techniques of being a Referee (see below for more detail).
by The Football Association.(a) Before you can become a qualified referee, you have to take and pass a Referee Course. The Football Association and Affiliated Associations shall be responsible for the recruitment, basic training and initial examination of Referees.
(b) The requirements and standards for the Basic Referee Course shall be set annually
(c) All candidates shall be examined as to their suitability to be a Referee by an initial examination at the end of a Basic Referees Course. The initial examination shall be both written and oral as prescribed by The Association and shall include an eyesight and colour test. Affiliated Associations must notify the Service Association concerned should they examine a candidate who is a serving member of the Armed Forces at the time of examination.
(d) The minimum age a candidate may be presented for initial examination is 14 years. You may start to referee once you are 14 years of age but if you are under 16 years of age, you can only referee in junior football until your 16th birthday, at which time you may then referee in open age if you choose to.
(e) Candidates who do not reach the standard required by The Football Association in the initial examination may not be presented for further examination until a period of 3 months has elapsed.
(f) Exams: The pass mark for Tier 1 'tick box' multi-choice written examination
is 80%:
The Tier 2 written and oral exam pass mark is 75%
(g) Men and women can apply. In fact, Women referees are very welcome and are encouraged to referee both women's and men's football.
Any potential Referee
attending a training course will be required to pay a course fee
From 1st June 04 the payment
of Referees courses in England will be as follows:
For basic training
and two tier training courses:
£30 for students over
16 years.
£10 for students
between 14 and 16 years.
For students only following
part one of the two tier training course, the cost is £20 per student.
All text books are provided by the Football Association free of charge. A pen and paper is all that is required.
On completion of the full
training, a Referee will need to register with his/her County FA.
The registration fee is £10, and is in addition to the training fee. The
Registration fee (£10) is not part of the refundable course fee. Referees will
be refunded their training course fee upon the successful completion and
submission of a 10 Match Record of Achievement form (10 MRoA) to The Football
Association. On receipt of a 10 MroA, the FA will issue a refund of the training
fee to the referee's County FA, who in turn, will refund the referee, along with
providing a FAMOA badge.
Once you have qualified, there is a continuation training programme for all referees. Help and guidance is readily available from the County FA, the Referee's Association and the Course Instructor.
5.
The Football Association Two Tier System For Training Referees:
Take me back to the top of this page
The Purpose of the FA two-tier training syllabus is to separate out:
The former group will take Part One only and complete a simple multi-choice examination. A certificate of attendance from The Football Association will be presented at this stage.
The latter group will go on to Part Two, if they achieve a minimum mark of 80% in the Part One Test. They will also be required to register with the County Football Association as Trainee Referees (Level 9). A Level 9 referee may join the Referees' Association as soon as he is registered.
The qualification following Part One remains in force for two years and can be followed by Part Two at a later date. If the two years expire the candidate must take the multi-choice paper again and achieve 80% before passing on to Part Two.
Those who are successful and wish to train to become active as referees will be invited to join Part 2 of the Course that will be of 5 sessions in the classroom when the practicalities of refereeing will be taught in the context of the law. The instructor should also build into the course opportunities to teach the points of Law the candidates got wrong in the multi choice paper.
Running in tandem with this (and when time allows), will be a practical refereeing element when a trainee referee will be expected to officiate as a referee in a minimum of 3 games, which must be 11 a side but may be 'friendly' games.
The standard examination will be conducted at the end of the Course.
The Football Association's Referees Committee supports the two-tier training as the preferred option for the training of new referees. It accepted, however, that it couldn't be considered the only route to qualification as a referee. The Basic Syllabus with its minimum of six sessions of training spread over a period of weeks or concentrated into a continuous course is still an acceptable way of qualifying.
The two tier approach to training allows the opportunity to introduce as many people as wish to join up to gain a Knowledge and Understanding of the Laws of the Game.
These include young people in schools on sports study courses and youngsters attempting to gain credits towards a Duke of Edinburgh's award. Other people needing to add to their CV a refereeing certificate. These have included Leisure Centre Staff, Teachers, and Students. Parents who accompany young players to matches often become disheartened when their offspring constantly participates in a game without an official referee and many take a course "just in case they are needed to help out". Club Officials who regularly find themselves with a whistle in their hand through no choice of their own join a course to feel more comfortable when they draw the short straw.
The two-tier training gives these categories of people the opportunity to gain an understanding of law without necessarily going into great detail on refereeing techniques.
After acquiring this knowledge over four teaching sessions the candidate is asked to consider if he or she wishes to go on to train to become a referee. If the answer is yes and a sufficiently high mark is reached in the multi choice question paper, the candidate registers as a trainee referee (level 9) and begins Part Two of the course. This covers the referee for public liability insurance.
The Referees' Association has also confirmed that success in the Part One examination matches their criteria for application for membership. Candidates are then covered by personal accident insurance.
The four sessions of basic instruction in Part 1 (Knowledge and Understanding of Law) concentrate on teaching Law. Students are encouraged to use the CD-ROM "Learn the Laws" to supplement their learning between sessions. This includes assessment opportunities to check on progress. Students who don't make the 80% pass mark can take the paper again until they do, before moving on to Part Two. The certificate offered at the end of Part One is valid for two years. Students who wish to join Part Two after a longer period than two years must take the multi choice paper current at the time to demonstrate up to date knowledge of law. All students following Part One will have their details retained on the database for follow up with an invitation to join Part Two at a later date.
Having achieved a minimum mark of 80% in the basic Law paper and demonstrated a commitment to refereeing, the candidate then moves on to an apprenticeship model of training. In other words, learning the skills of refereeing whilst practising the art. Clearly it is important to put right any gaps in knowledge demonstrated at the end of part one. It is also important to study the processes of disciplining a player and reporting the misconduct. It may be necessary to do this in match one. Part Two concentrates on delivering the skills and techniques of refereeing. Students are helped towards seeing offences, recognising what they see and acting appropriately. This final requirement includes an understanding of how to restart the game. Video examples from The FA's training videos are used to aid decision-making.
6. Referee Registration: Take me back to the top of this page
(a) No person shall be appointed as a Match Official in any Match or Competition under the jurisdiction of The Association either directly or indirectly unless registered in accordance with the Football Association Regulations.
[Note: A Competition may include in its regulations a provision by which a person who is not a Referee may carry out the duties of a Match Official in a specific Match but only in circumstances where a Referee cannot be appointed to that Match].
(b) A Referee must be registered with The Football Association through the Affiliated Association within the area in which the Referee resides. A Referee will be required to pay the standard national registration fee to be determined annually by The Association. Registration will run from the date of registration until the following 31 May. A referee may become an Associate Referee with another Affiliated Association upon payment of an Associate Fee not exceeding £5 per registration period.
(c) In cases where the boundaries of Affiliated Associations overlap, the Affiliated Associations concerned may mutually agree about the registration of Referees who reside within the overlapping areas. The Affiliated Association which carries out the initial examination will be responsible for the administration of a Referee. A Referee who changes residence from one administrative area to another will be required to complete a County Transfer Form and be transferred to the new Affiliated Association for administrative purposes but will not be required to pay a further registration fee for that season.
(d) Referees shall not be registered with The Football Association until they are able to satisfy the Affiliated Association of their date of birth in such a manner as shall be determined by The Football Association.
(e) A person below 14 years of age shall not be registered as a Referee.
(f) A Referee who has failed to register as a Referee with The Football Association for 2 or more seasons shall not be re-registered until an application has been considered by the Referees' Committee of the Affiliated Association within whose area the Referee resides at the time of application for re-registration.
(g) Affiliated Associations may re-examine registered Referees administered by them as determined by The Association. The Association must be notified of the names of Referees who do not meet the standard determined by The Association.
(h) Where considered not to be fit and proper to act as a Referee the registration may
be removed or suspended by the Affiliated Association which administers the Referee or by The Association. Affiliated Associations are to notify The Association
of any action in this respect. The Association may take any action it deems appropriate. Applications for the re-instatement of a Referee who has previously
been disqualified under this Regulation must be referred to The Association for
consideration.
When a Referee changes residence from one
Affiliated Association to another, the classification level will be accepted by the
Affiliated Association in to whose area the Referee has moved.
7. The Pyramid System Promotion for Referees & League Structure:
The game is controlled at the local level, by 43 County FAs affiliated to The Football Association but with responsibilities for organising and running football activities in their area.
A hierarchy of leagues operates throughout the game, each taking responsibility for the administration of their own activities, such as membership, fixtures and registrations.
Disciplinary matters (cautions, sendings off and misconduct) are controlled by The FA for the 6 top leagues (The FA Premier League, Football Leagues , Football Conference and the three Conference feeder leagues), with County FAs taking this responsibility at lower levels.
|
International (FIFA) |
United Kingdom Referee Levels (1 to
5) |
The pyramid from 2004/2005 (officially known as the National League System) is the name given to the semi-professional leagues below the main football leagues in England and is shown below.
The Football Association National League Structure commonly known as the Pyramid:
as from Season 2004/2005
(Step) (Referee
Level)
(1) Football Conference (2)
(2) Conference North: Conference South (3)
(3) Northern Premier League Premier Div.:
Southern League Premier Div.: Isthmian League Premier Div. (3)
(4) Northern Premier Div.1: Southern League
Div.1 (West): Southern League Div.1 (East): Isthmian League Div.1 (3)
(5) Various Leagues for example -
Midland Football Alliance, Hellenic Prem. Div. Kent League, etc. (3)
(6) Various Leagues for example - Western
League Div.1, Hellenic League Div.1, Wessex League Div. 2. (3)
(7) Various Leagues for example -
Wiltshire Football League, Wearside League, Kent County League (4)
Note: Steps 5, 6 and 7 are to be reviewed during season 2004/2005
Click here for the FA website League Structure page
Click here to take you to Tom Willis' website The Pyramid.info for details of composition and structure of non-league football in England, from The Conference to county leagues, plus links to league sites.
Click here to take you to Tony Kempster's excellent comprehensive web site covering the English Leagues.
Click here to take you to the Greene King IPA Essex Intermediate Football League web site which also has details of the pyramid system.
Click here for David Bauckham's great 'Pyramid Passion' site.
The Referee Promotion Pyramid shows that there is a clearly defined pathway along which Referees may move from the local leagues towards the FIFA lists. It is the usual practice for a referee to operate at one level below which he functions as an Assistant Referee, although this does not always apply towards the upper levels of the pyramid. However, new Referees are recommended to strive to move up the pyramid by working hard at their own present level before looking towards the next level that can be achieved. By working hard at developing their refereeing skills, they will improve both their on and off field practices and thereby be better equipped to operate at a more senior level. In this way, a Referee will concentrate on the immediate task and will, therefore, prepare himself thoroughly for the next stage in his career. (Source FA England 'A Guide to Assistant Referees')
Referees and Assistant Referees both retire from the Professional
Game at 48yrs. Contributory League officials (unless on the National List of Assistants
retire at age 46. To get on to the lists referees must be under the age of 42 as at 1
March in the preceding season. You must be under the age of 40 to get on the International
List. The Footballing authorities keep age under constant review to ensure compliance with
existing legislation.
(Joe Guest on the RA Discussion Board 14 May 2003)
On initially passing the exam, a Referee becomes a ' Level 7 Junior Referee' or if under the age of 16, a 'Level 8 Youth Referee’. This allows you to be appointed to the local leagues within your County (or a neighbouring County. It also allows you to be appointed as an Assistant Referee on the next higher league. These are called ‘Supply Leagues’. Not all Counties have a Supply League, and this can cause problems for ambitious Referees. Some examples of Supply Leagues are: the Wiltshire Football League, Northern Alliance, and Oxfordshire Senior Leagues.
Promotion to Level 6 County Referee and to Level 5 Senior County Referee is achieved through your County Football Association (FA), and relies on a number of assessments, Club markings, a written examination and attendance at selected training seminars. The majority of good Referees make it to Level 5 and are happy to remain at this level. After this, promotion to and above is much more competitive, with only a very limited number of places available to move up from the amateur Supply League level (Level 4 Referee) , to the more serious semi-professional Contributory league level (Level 3 Referee). The promotion upwards from Level 4 relies on firstly moving up as an Assistant Referee in the upper levels, and then as a Referee.
Those lucky few Referees who are nominated and accepted, have to pass a fitness test each season, and are then graded as Level 4 Supply League Referees. (A Supply League is a senior amateur league at County Level (such as the Wiltshire Football League,) and Referees have to be within a certain age limits - minimum and maximum).
The best crop of Referees from the Supply Leagues are nominated by their County FA for inclusion on the Assistant Referees' List of the Contributory Leagues.
Only the best two or three Level 4 Referees per Supply League will be nominated – depending on FA Assessors and Club reports. To achieve Level 3 Contributory League Referee status, an interview must also be passed to assess your commitment amongst other things. A Contributory League is a semi-professional league). The top 5% of Referees in England are Level 3 Contributory League Referees. This is a very good standard to achieve as a Referee.
Promotion to Level 2 Panel League Referee (e.g. Football Conference) is achieved in a similar manner through outstanding FA Assessors and Club marks. It is at this stage, that some lucky Referees may well have been invited on to the National List of Assistant Referees (to officiate in the professional Football League Championship League, and League 1 and League 2 in England.)
The next stage (promotion to Level 1 ‘The National Referees' List’ ) is only for the cream of our Referees, and before moving up to this elite level, will require exceptional performances and assessments achieved at Panel League level (the FA Football Conference and Football Combination)
Established Level 1 Referees who have proven their ability in the Football League Championship League, and League 1 and League 2 in England, will be chosen to move on up to the prestigious select list of professional Premiership Referees and, ultimately, the FIFA list (International Level).
To climb to the very top of the Referee ladder will take a minimum of 9 to 10 years if you are the very best! And slightly longer if ‘Lady Luck’ does not accompany you on the journey. If you want to get to the very top, then you must be at least under 30 years of age to have a good chance of success. But there are many thousands of Referees who are happy to officiate in the lower levels.
8. Order of Preference of appointments (in England): Take me back to the top of this page
Registered Referees shall not officiate in any
Competition, which is not sanctioned, or Match in which unaffiliated clubs
compete.
The "Order of Precedence" of appointments, whether as a Referee or
Assistant Referee, shall be as follows:
1. The FA Challenge Cup Competition
2. The FA Premier League
3. The Football League
4. The FA Challenge Trophy Competition
5. The FA Challenge Vase Competition.
6. Affiliated Association Cup Competitions
Affiliated Association appointments take
precedence over Panel Leagues, The FA Youth and FA County Cup Challenge Cup Competitions,
Contributory League and Supply League appointments if the appointment is in the Affiliated
Association's nominated Senior Cup Competition or in the semi-final and/or Final of any
other Affiliated Association Competition whether the appointment is as a Referee or an
Assistant Referee.
7. The Panel Leagues.
8. The FA Youth and FA County Cup Challenge Cup Competitions.
9. Contributory Leagues (recognised divisions only).
10. Supply Leagues (recognised divisions only).
11. All other Competitions of The Association.
Referees must attend Personal Hearings when required to do so. At Contributory level or above Match Officials appointments already received, take precedence over requests to attend Personal Hearings. On receipt of notification of a Personal Hearing Referees must close the date with all appropriate competitions.
Where release from an appointment is required to enable a Referee to take a more senior appointment at least four days' notice must be given to the relevant Affiliated Association or Competition by the association or Competition requesting the release.
Once The Association or an Affiliated Association has appointed a Match Official if, subsequently, the Match is postponed, abandoned or results in a draw and the rearranged fixture is then scheduled to take place less than four complete days from the date of the original match, The Association or Affiliated Association appointment will take priority over any other appointment already accepted by the Referee from a Competition lower in the Order of Precedence, unless The Association or Affiliated Association waive their right to the services of the Match Official so appointed.
"Fourth Officials" are appointed to certain rounds of FA Competitions and all FA Premier League and Football League matches and associated Competitions, and the Panel Competitions. The duties and responsibilities of the Fourth Official are detailed in the Laws of Association Football and in the Competition Rules. Such appointments form part of the Order of Precedence within the Competitions listed above.
"Standby/Reserve Officials" may be appointed to other Competitions but do not form part of the Order of Precedence and are not to be accepted by Referees in preference to an active appointment.
Source of some of this
material is - FA Handbook Regulations for the
Registration and Control of Referees 2003-2004.
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