Football is an extremely popular sport in England and is often referred to as the national sport. It is deeply ingrained in English culture and has a long and rich history in the country. Becoming a football referee in England is a challenging job. Participating in the sport and officiating football games can also be fulfilling and rewarding experiences for referees in England.
Advantages to be a football referee in England.
- Stay involved in the game
As a football referee, you will have the opportunity to stay involved in the sport you love, even if you are no longer able to play at a high level. Refereeing can provide a way to stay connected to the game and be a part of the football community.
- Develop transferable skills
Refereeing can help you develop a range of transferable skills, such as decision-making, communication, leadership, and conflict resolution, which can be valuable in many other areas of your life.
- Earn Money
Refereeing can be a paid job, with referees at higher levels receiving competitive salaries. This can be a great way to earn money while doing something you enjoy.
- Improve fitness
Refereeing can be physically demanding, and it can be a great way to stay fit and active. Referees must be able to keep up with the pace of the game and make quick decisions while running and changing direction.
- Progress in your career
Refereeing can be a career pathway, with opportunities to progress to higher levels and officiate at professional games. This can be a great way to advance in your career and achieve your goals.
How to become a football referee in England?
To become a soccer referee in England, you must be at least 14 years old and a resident of England. If you meet the criteria, you can join the course offered by the Football Association of England to become the referee.
Steps you can take to become a football referee in England.
- Visit the FA website: Go to the official website of The Football Association (www.thefa.com) and click on “Get Involved” at the top of the page.
- Click on “Referees”: From the drop-down menu, select “Referees” and then click on “Becoming a Referee.”
Once you click on “Referees”, it will link to this page https://www.englandfootball.com/participate/referees
- Find a course: Scroll down the page to find the section titled “COURSES” and click it. You will be redirected to the “FA Referee Course” page.
- Register yourself and Select a course: On the “Referee Course Finder” page, you can search for courses by location, date, and level. Select the course that best suits your needs and click on “Book Now” to register.
- Complete the course: Once you have registered for a course, you will receive information on the dates, times, and locations of the course. Attend the course and complete all of the required training and assessments.
- Register with your local County Football Association (CFA): Once you’ve completed the course and passed the background check(criminal background check), you’ll need to register with your local CFA. They will provide you with information on how to become a registered referee in your area. After you’ve registered as a referee, you can start officiating matches. You can begin with youth games or lower-level adult leagues, and work your way up as you gain experience.
List of the County Football Associations in England and their official websites:
- Bedfordshire FA – www.bedfordshirefa.com
- Berkshire & Buckinghamshire FA – www.berks-bucksfa.com
- Birmingham FA – www.birminghamfa.com
- Cambridgeshire FA – www.cambridgeshirefa.com
- Cheshire FA – www.cheshirefa.com
- Cornwall FA – www.cornwallfa.com
- Cumberland FA – www.cumberlandfa.com
- Derbyshire FA – www.derbyshirefa.com
- Devon FA – www.devonfa.com
- Dorset FA – www.dorsetfa.com
- Durham FA – www.durhamfa.com
- East Riding FA – www.eastridingfa.com
- Essex FA – www.essexfa.com
- Gloucestershire FA – www.gloucestershirefa.com
- Guernsey FA – www.guernseyfa.com
- Hampshire FA – www.hampshirefa.com
- Herefordshire FA – www.herefordshirefa.com
- Hertfordshire FA – www.hertfordshirefa.com
- Huntingdonshire FA – www.huntsfa.com
- Isle of Man FA – www.isleofmanfa.com
- Jersey FA – www.jerseyfa.com
- Kent FA – www.kentfa.com
- Lancashire FA – www.lancashirefa.com
- Leicestershire & Rutland FA – www.leicestershirefa.com
- Lincolnshire FA – www.lincolnshirefa.com
- Liverpool FA – www.liverpoolfa.com
- London FA – www.londonfa.com
- Manchester FA – www.manchesterfa.com
- Middlesex FA – www.middlesexfa.com
- Norfolk FA – www.norfolkfa.com
- North Riding FA – www.northridingfa.com
- Northamptonshire FA – www.northamptonshirefa.com
- Northumberland FA – www.northumberlandfa.com
- Nottinghamshire FA – www.nottinghamshirefa.com
- Oxfordshire FA – www.oxfordshirefa.com
- Royal Air Force FA – www.raf.mod.uk/raffootball
- Royal Navy FA – www.navyfa.co.uk
- Sheffield & Hallamshire FA – www.sheffieldfa.com
- Shropshire FA – www.shropshirefa.com
- Somerset FA – www.somersetfa.com
- Staffordshire FA – www.staffordshirefa.com
- Suffolk FA – www.suffolkfa.com
- Surrey FA – www.surreyfa.com
- Sussex FA – www.sussexfa.com
- Westmorland FA – www.westmorlandfa.com
- West Riding FA – www.westridingfa.com
- Wiltshire FA – www.wiltshirefa.com
- Worcestershire FA – www.worcestershirefa.com