Sian Massey-Ellis

Development & Courses

Further your knowledge

Thinking of becoming a Referee? Or are you a qualified Referee looking for information on development opportunities and support? If so, you’ve come to the right place! This section of our website is dedicated to providing you with useful information on refereeing.

The role of the referee is vital in protecting the game. From local park football on a Sunday morning to the FA Cup Final, football needs referees. Over the last few years, Devon FA has focused on innovative and different ways to encourage and support the recruitment of new Referee’s into the grassroots game to join those already dedicated and more experienced referees who officiate games week in week out.

The formation of a new Referee Development Team of experienced Referee’s, some of whom have Football League experience, to mentor and guide new and experienced Referees every step of the way through their experiences in the game. Importantly, the focus is not just about recruiting new referee’s, it’s also about supporting developing the skills of those who have already qualified, irrespective of their level in the game. 

Devon FA are proud of the fact that there are now have over 500 qualified referee’s registered with Devon FA and the vast majority of games occur with a qualified referee. Whilst this is encouraging, we are not complacent and are working towards ensuring our ultimate goal of guaranteeing a qualified referee for every game.

THE FA REFEREE COURSE 

The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they will need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively.  It is for people aged 14 and over who want to referee mini soccer, 9 v 9 and/or 11 v 11 football.  

The course comprises online learning on the Laws of the Game and face to face training. You must complete the online learning before attending the face to face training. You will also need to complete online safeguarding training before attending the face to face training.

Course Content 

Online Learning

The online learning has five sections (modules) and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. There are lots of videos to demonstrate how the Laws should be applied, activities to help reinforce the important points and, at the end of each module, there are some questions to test what you’ve learned.  

If you are under the age of 16, you might find the information at the refereeing help centre useful when logging in.

THE ONLINE LEARNING CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.

Face to Face Training

There is 11 hours of face to face training (normally one evening, followed by a full day), which mixes training room work with practical activity on a pitch. Key messages from the online learning are reinforced throughout.  The training room work includes:

• Fun, interactive quizzes
• How to establish rapport and build relationships with players and coaches
• Recognising and dealing with foul challenges and handball
• Managing offside
• Dealing with inappropriate behaviour 
• Managing players 

On the pitch, you will have the opportunity to turn your knowledge into skills through refereeing game based scenarios. You will practise:

• Communicating decisions
• Cautioning and sending off techniques
• Managing the kick off, free kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks and throw-ins 
• Positioning in open play and at restarts
• Being an assistant referee

Qualifying as a Referee

To qualify as a referee, you must also referee five games after you have attended the face to face training. You will then receive a certificate and an FA Referee badge.

You be supported through those five games by your County Football Association (CFA). As you continue your refereeing career, you will then be able to access further training opportunities, both online and face to face.

 

referees at tournament

Training & Workshops

Enhance your abilities
referee developments

Mentoring & Volunteering

Encouraging the next generation