Potential Referee

[JAL456]

Hi all,

I'm currently considering signing up to the basic course. I do have a few questions/concerns though and it would be great if some current refs could give their honest thoughts:-

Is there a minimum expectation from the leagues in terms of time/amount of matches officiated? I am free most Sundays and some Saturdays but I certainly couldn't commit to every Saturday.

I see that the basic course requires completion of 6 games. Can the local FA provide the necessary contacts for you to be involved with 6 games?

Finally, how old are most new referees? I'm 25 and am curious as to whether I'm considered old or young to be just starting this now.

Any feedback appreciated and sorry if any of these questions are a bit stupid!

James

 

[GraemeS]

Hi James, welcome to the forum!

There is generally no minimum expectation of avaliability from grassroots leagues. If you want to start progressing up the levels, you'll need to be able to do 20 matches a season as a minimum, but you'll be able to give it a go without any need to commit too much time early on.

Once you complete the classroom aspect of the course, your county FA should give you a list of suitable local leagues for you to do your next 6 matches on. But it will be your responsibility to get in touch with those leagues and let their referee secretary know when you're avaliable. Most referees will then continue to work with those same leagues through the early parts of their refereeing career.

And in terms of your age, it depends what you want to get out of refereeing really. I would suggest that anyone starting over 30 is likely to have left it too late to get to the very highest levels of refereeing, so in that sense, if you're lucky and take to it well, you're still young enough for that. It's also fairly common for people to take up refereeing at the end of their playing career, often well into their 30's or 40's. But on the other hand, you'll also find the odd person who takes up refereeing in their teens as a way to earn some extra pocket money, so it works both ways.

 

[Mintyref]

Some areas, East Riding for one, have appointment secretaries for all Saturday or Sunday leagues.........

 

[Tino Best]

In Suffolk all youth games are appointed by someone at Suffolk FA I started in my 40s but have no ambition to ref at a high level.

 

[JAL456]

Thanks for the info, very useful and encouraging. I'll get signed up in the new year - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[Davidf]

Hi Jal456
I did the course in the summer, and sat my theory exam last night - still waiting to hear if i've passed !!! . Since starting refereeing i've made loads of new friends and had a great time. The course tutors were great and answered loads of questions, gave us a couple of A4 sheets full of contacts for various leagues, and age groups and i get emails from various league secretaries asking if I want to referee a game at the weekend. When i had completed the course, I made it known to my local league that i was looking for a couple of games to start me off and they have been great, offering me games on a weekend without any pressure to take them, due to work or family commitments. I've also joined my local RA (referees association), they meet once a month, and its a great way to pick up tips and have a chat about what you think you might have done wrong etc. I'm alot older than you but i wish i'd taken the course earlier as i'm having a great time and its really fulfilling. I'm sure you won't look back once you've started.

 

[Sheffields Finest]

I started refereeing, as some do, just helping out with my sons team who never had a referee, a whistle, shoes, jeans, that was it! I started to take it a bit more seriously so decided to take the course (about 13 years ago), that grew to a starring role at Bramall Lane in a match in front of about 200 in purely open age... I became the go-to ref for difficult OA teams, my card count was horrendous but believe me I was dealing with complete Herberts most of the time! As I got more experienced, the games got easier, too easy at times, I calmed down as Mr B'stard and the players did too and so did the card count. They didn't play up as much because I had 'a reputation' for being a stickler even though, in my mind I wasn't! Never ever wanted or craved promotions, that would have been silly for me in the job I do. Always willing to help anyone in anything, no agenda against promotion but I can see massive flaws in the current set up. Its more about Availability than Ability after a certain level!!! .......

 

[JAL456]

Thanks guys, very encouraging.

EDIT - I have booked onto a course in March. Can't wait!

 

[Jmorley]

Hi all,

I'm currently considering signing up to the basic course. I do have a few questions/concerns though and it would be great if some current refs could give their honest thoughts:-

Is there a minimum expectation from the leagues in terms of time/amount of matches officiated? I am free most Sundays and some Saturdays but I certainly couldn't commit to every Saturday.

I see that the basic course requires completion of 6 games. Can the local FA provide the necessary contacts for you to be involved with 6 games?

Finally, how old are most new referees? I'm 25 and am curious as to whether I'm considered old or young to be just starting this now.

Any feedback appreciated and sorry if any of these questions are a bit stupid!

James

Hello JAL456,

In regards to your age, 25, it is not at all too late to begin your course.
On my course, it ranged from 14 (like myself) to a man in the region of 50-60, as he wanted to referee his local churches matches.
25 is not at all too late to begin your journey as a referee and I think that you should go for it.
You'll find the course very basic and easy to understand as long as you conduct yourself in a suitable manner and just use common sense.
I wish you all the best for March and inordinately doubt you will be unsuccessful.

Jacob M