Training Course Details

Thursday, 04 November 2004.

We are looking for referees and have a programme of training courses at venues around the two counties.

BASIC REFEREE TRAINING

Our objective is to ensure the recruitment and retention of sufficient Referees for each match within out Counties. We currently have around 1,200 Referees operating on local Leagues right up to the Football League and even FIFA. We are however currently unable to meet this objective as we are desperately short of people coming forward for training as Referees.

Courses are 'free of charge' at the point of entry to ensure that cost is not a barrier to potential Referees this promoting equality of opportunity. All courses are run by fully accredited FA Instructors.

Following qualification and registration, you will receive a FA certificate and you can start refereeing on your local Leagues earning around £20 a game. Additional support is available for you in your early days through Mentoring schemes.

Dates of upcoming basic courses.

Each year, the Football Association organises through its affiliated Counties, courses for those wishing to qualify as a Referee.
Courses are held across Berks and Bucks throughout the year in conjunction with the Referees Association at various locations. Courses are normally 8 to 10 weeks in duration, one night a week for about 3 hours. In some cases, a 2-Tier course is available where candidates may undertake 4 weeks learning on the Laws of the game (without FA Referee accreditation) and then later undertake a further 6 week course on the application of the Laws to obtain FA registration as a Referee.

The dates and venues for courses in 2004-05 are listed below:

Aylesbury -   September 2004
Bracknell -  October 2004
Buckingham -  October 2004
Amersham -   September 2004
High Wycombe -  October 2004
Maidenhead -  September 2004
Milton Keynes -  October 2004
Thatcham -   September 2004
Reading -   September 2004
Slough -   August 2004

Aylesbury -   February 2005
Bracknell -   January 2005
Amersham -   January 2005
High Wycombe -  February 2005
Maidenhead -   January 2005
Abingdon -   January 2005
Reading -   January 2005
Slough -   February 2005

(Note, this programme is subject to alteration)

The cost of a course of instruction is £30 (£10 if under 16) which is refunded when candidates have completed 10 games as a Referee having passed their course examinations. A further £10 is payable by all candidates to register as a FA Referee.

In addition, it is a legal requirement that all active Referees undertake a FA Child Protection Course (one evening) which costs £15 (£10 if under 18) and CRB screening which costs £7.50 (This is not required by those under 18 but must be done on attainment of their 18th birthday)

Candidates should be over the age of 14 to undertake the FA's Referee courses.

If you are interested in becoming a qualified Referee, contact Mike Gardiner, County Training Officer by e-mail on mikeagardiner@hotmail.com