Becoming a football referee is getting more and more popular as the years go by. Whether you are doing it purely for the love of the game, like power, enjoy officiating or to earn some extra money on the side, the demand has increased significantly. Referees perform a very important role at all levels of football. Along with the linesmen/lineswomen, they are the men/women who make the decisions that can affect a football match.
To become a football referee, you have to be at least 14, have good eyesight (with or without contacts) and have a good level of fitness as you will be required to do quite a bit of running back and forth. If you fit all those requirements then the next step is to register with your local football association and then attend a referee’s course. The course isn’t too strenuous, you get nine classroom training sessions where you will pick up all the relevant knowledge you need to know for the two examinations (one written and one oral) that follow after day nine. Once you have passed the examinations, you will become a qualified referee at level eight if you are younger then 16 and level seven if you are older.
Refereeing Levels
Level Eight: This is the first level in terms of starting off, then you work your way up or should I say down the numbers of levels. With this you are qualified to referee football matches at amateur level in the park. Level eight is for under 16’s
Level Seven: This is the same as level eight only you get classed as level seven if you are older then 16 years.
Level Six: This is based on completion of further assessments, training and another examination which tests your knowledge on the laws of the game. You also have to have completed a minimum of 20 games officiated.
Level Five: Again, you face further assessments, training and another examination.
Level Four: You are qualified to referee football matches at senior amateur county level.
Level Three: You are qualified to referee football matches at semi-professional level.
Level Two: Qualified to referee football matches at Nationwide Conference/Blue Square Bet level.
Level One: Qualified to referee football matches at professional level. Your name goes on to the national referee’s list.
