Procedure for Basic Training as from 1 July 2007.

Pre-course activities:

Prospective candidates should contact their County Football Association to register their interest in becoming a referee. They will be provided with details of local courses, dates and venues, and will receive a registration form, a questionnaire and a request for payment for completion and return. On confirmation of registration, training venue and dates for the Basic Referees' Course will be provided. A current copy of the Laws of Association Football (LOAF) will also be sent, and candidates will be expected to complete a Pre Course Study. More details on the first stages involved in becoming a referee, can be found on the following FA web site: http://www.thefa.com/GrassrootsNew/Referee/

Once the pre-course requirements have been dealt with, the candidate will attend the Course Induction, and move through the modules as described below:

The Basic Referee Course will comprise of 5 modules.

Module One (2.5 Hours) 'Knowledge of the Laws'. The course induction, will introduce candidates to the support mechanisms available to referees. A DVD promoting the benefits and opportunities of refereeing will be shown, and a 'Knowledge of the Laws' certificate presented to those who pass their Module One ‘Assessment of Knowledge’ paper. Candidates, who do not wish to take up active refereeing, will be able to exit the course, and those who wish to progress further, will move onto Module Two.

Module Two (Minimum 15 hours) 'Application of the Laws'. Module 2 will relate theory to practice, and involves on-field interactive activities (if available, if not video clips), and self-evaluation techniques. At some time between Modules 2 and 3, Child Protection training will be provided, and candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Form.

Module Three (1.5 Hours), 'Examination’.  Depending on whether the candidates' training was predominantly theoretical (classroom based) or practical (on the field of play), the exam process will consist of two elements from the three listed below. The third element will become an assessment throughout the course.

·          Written element – application of law (theoretical and practical course)

·          Theory examination via video analysis using DVD or CD Rom (theoretical course, and assessment tool for the practical course)

·          Practical on field assessment in line with new practical course (practical course and assessment tool for the theoretical course)

Candidates will also be expected to successfully complete a misconduct form, based on a match incident from the theory exam DVD.

On successful completion of the Basic Referee Training Modules, One, Two and Three, the candidate will become a Level 9 Trainee Referee.

Module Four 'Probation Period'. During the probation period, Level 9 Trainee Referees must referee six times x 11 v 11 matches, utilizing a mentor style appraisal, supported by either a Referee Coach, Assessor or Instructor. Candidates will be assessed via the standard competencies in line with the current FA competency based assessment scheme. They will also be involved with Self-evaluation of their own performance, performance evaluation of others, and video analysis.

Module Five  (2 Hours). Newly Qualified Referees In-Service Training. The Level 9 Trainee Referees will have to attend In-Service Training on subjects incorporating; application of Law, recognition of offences, body language and communication, management of people and situations, fitness awareness, warm-up / cool-down techniques, programmes to meet individual needs and encouraging training togetherness / bonding.