Referee Promotion Scheme

The promotion season commences on August 1st each season. so if you are looking to move up the ladder of officiating, the details below might help you.

Any Level 7 referee wishing to apply for promotion for the first time must first ensure that they have officiated as a referee in a minimum of 20 games (a minimum of 14 must be in adult matches), 

All Level 7 to 6 promotion candidates will be expected to meet the following criteria:

• Attendance a recognised in-service training session
• Successfully complete an examination on the laws of the game
• Keep their allocated Observer Coordinator & Referee Development Officer informed of all their fixtures
• Referee a minimum of 20 11v11 appointed matches during the promotion season, of which a maximum of six games may be at Under 18s level
• Respond to all correspondence efficiently, preferably by E-Mail
• Receive a minimum of three assessments during the promotion season

All Level 6 to 5 promotion candidates will be expected to meet the following criteria:

• Must have met all of the above Level 7 to 6 criteria
• Must have completed five 11v11 matches as an appointed assistant referee during the promotion season at senior level. 

All Level 5 to 4 promotion candidates will be expected to meet the following criteria:

• Referee a minimum of 20 adult male/female matches in total during the period March to February
• Complete a minimum of ten appointments as an assistant referee on adult male/female matches during the season (it is recommended that as many as possible are at Supply League level)
• Be prepared and regularly available to referee Saturday and midweek matches
• Attend one of a possible nine regional in-service Nomination Training Sessions, delivered by The Football Association
• Successfully complete an examination on the laws of the game
• Successfully complete an FA Referee Fitness Test prior to the nomination (the minimum standard to be attained is: twelve-minute continuous run, with a minimum distance completed of 2,600 metres; two 50-metre sprints with a maximum of 7.5 seconds for each sprint)

In addition to the above, all promotion applicants must:

• Respond to all correspondence in writing efficiently, preferably by E-Mail
• maintain a record of all matches, whether as a referee or assistant referee
• Be proficient in the completion of misconduct report writing through the FA Whole Game System and attend disciplinary hearings as required

If you are already on the promotion scheme, you should still apply for next season and the relevant action will then be taken once the outcome of your current promotion application is known. Following the closure of the promotion application window on 30th April, all match officials who meet the criteria will then be contacted with confirmation of their place on the promotion scheme, along with the necessary details of the scheduled in-service training seminar dates.

Should you have any questions relating to the promotion scheme, please feel free to contact [email protected]