Make a difference to the game
Get into refereeing
Reasons to Referee
Ever wondered if you could take up the whistle?
Think you can lead from the front and make the tough decisions?
Refereeing is a great way to:
- Give something back to the game you love
- Remain active in the game following injury or retirement
- Make new and lasting friends within the game
- Play a huge role in ensuring the players, and supporters, enjoy their match day experience
- Increase participation in the sport
Womens Refereeing Pathway
If you are interested in the Women's Refereeing Pathway, watch this video. If you have any further questions, get in touch with our Referee Development Officer via Support@GloucestershireFA.com.
Introduction Workshop
If you wish to sign up to our referee course, we recommend attending the online introduction evening. This is relevant for potential course attendees and their parents if aged Under 18.
The Introductory Workshop will provide individuals with experiences of different formats of the game, along with outlining opportunities available as a potential new referee.
Once you've decided your preferred referee route, your referee career may only be a few weeks away.
The FA Referee Course
If you want to qualify as a football referee you will need to do the FA Referee Training Course.
The FA Referee Course provides candidates with an understanding of the 'Laws of the Game', along with practical elements to equip match officials.
Once you have completed the course and registered as a referee with Gloucestershire FA, you will have a qualification recognised throughout England.
You will be required to enter your FA Number (FAN) and password to book onto a course.
If you currently don't have a FA Number, you can create one by clicking here.
The minimum age to book onto and attend a referee course is 14. There is no maximum age.
There are no pre-course requirements for the Get Into Refereeing Workshop.
The pre-course requirement for the FA Referee Course is to attend the Referee Introduction Workshop, and complete the online learning module. The online learning can be accessed here.
All referees are required to complete an online FA Safeguarding Children module which will be sent to you in advance of the first session. Anyone refereeing in Youth Football will need to have a valid FA Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
The course fee for the Referee course £120.