Become a Referee in 2023!
The pathway to becoming a qualified football referee with the Sutherland Shire Football Referees Association requires interested participants to complete the online Laws of the Game Quiz and successfully complete the FFA accredited, Level 4 Practical Course that is run by the SSFRA.
Pre-requisites to becoming a referee with the SSFRA
You must be 14 years of age at the start of the local football season.
If you are over 18, you must complete and provide the full WWC check (see below)
You must bring a positive attitude, a passion for football and a commitment to ongoing learning and training
Note: If you are under the age of 14 at the beginning of the season and want to become a football referee, we strongly recommend you contact your local club to enquire about their miniroos referees programs. For assistance in finding a local club, please contact recruitment@ssfra.org.au for assistance.
Step 1 - Complete Laws of the Game Certificate
This is a free online course provided by the Football Australia. You will be required to present your LOTG Certificate when you attend the Level 4 Practical Course (see Step 2)
Important Note: The online course will take approximately 60-90 minutes to complete and involves a series of quizzes design to test your understanding of the Laws of the Game. Some of these laws of the game have since been updated by IFAB and therefore we will explore these changes during the Level 4 Practical Course.
If you get a question wrong during the quiz, you will have the opportunity to resit the quiz until you complete the requirements of each law. If you are unsure or have any questions about the Laws of the Game, make a note of your questions and bring them along to the Level 4 Practical Course.
Step 2- Level 4 Practical Course
Attend and successfully complete your Level 4 Practical Course. This is an FFA accredited course, run by the SSFRA and is designed to prepare you for your first game as a football referee. The course will cover practical techniques, theoretical knowledge and basic principles of game management. There is also a pre-course preparation task required to be completed before attendance on the day.
In 2023, the SSFRA will be offering this course on the below dates:
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Note: Click the button on the respective date you wish to attend to complete your registration.
Course Information
All courses will be held at the offices of the Sutherland Shire Football Association, as follows:
Harrie Denning Football Centre Bates Drive Kareela NSW 2232
Registered participants will be contacted closer to the respective course date with information regarding next steps and paying your registration fees. You must be enrolled to attend this course - if you show up on the day without a registration and the hall is at capacity, you will be turned away. All participants must have completed the LOTG Certificate before attending a course.
If you are no longer able to attend your registered course, please email recruitment@ssfra.org.au at your earliest convenience.
Pre-Course Preparation
In 2023, participants will be provided with pre-course preparation tasks that are designed to encourage self-learning and will be explored / discussed during this course. These tasks will be provided to participants who have enrolled in a Level 4 course at approximately two weeks prior to the course date. Participants will receive further detail via email.
Other Considerations & FAQ's
What are the costs to becoming a Referee?
In 2023, the following charges will apply for New Referees:
New Cadet Referee* - $160.00 New Adult Referee - $200.00 (+$80 compulsory WWCC payable via Services NSW)
All packages include your course fee, the SSFRA registration fee (which is to cover the affiliation fees charged by Football NSW and FFA) as well as your uniform (a black shirt, shorts, socks) and basic equipment required to referee (whistle, cards, notebook and a flag). Additional optional uniform and equipment may be purchased on the day.
*For the purposes of Registration, a cadet referee is defined as being under the age of 18 years as of 1 January 2023
Other costs to be considered for before becoming a referee?
Referees will be required to source their own wrist watch with stopwatch functionality, this is a cost that will be at the referees own expense. (A stopwatch is not required for attending the course). Whilst a mobile phone offers a stopwatch functionality, this is not an acceptable device for keeping time as a referee.
Participants over the age of 18 year of age MUST attain a full Working With Children Check (WWCC) in order to become a referee. This comes at a cost of $80 to the participant, see below for further details. (don't be tempted to apply for the volunteer (free) check as this is not sufficient)
What do I need to bring on the day of the course?
It is recommended participants bring:
Comfortable shoes, a hat and running attire (there will be some light running required during this course)
You pre-course homework (that will be provided to you two weeks before the course)
Water and snacks to keep you focused
Writing Material (pens or pencils)
A positive attitude
I am under 18 years of age, do I need to bring my parent/guardian along to the course?
Yes. The opening 15 minutes of the Level 4 Course will explore expectations, what its like to referee, our internal protocols and briefly touch on procedures within the Sutherland Shire Football Referees Association. It is recommended that a parent or guardian of a participant whom is under 18 years of age attend this opening session. This section of the course will also be helpful for adults attending the course.
What if I complete this course but do not register with SSFRA?
If you intend to complete your FFA Level 4 Certificate but not register with the Sutherland Shire Football Referee's Association, we recommend you do not take this course and instead attend one of the courses offered by Football NSW. You will not receive your accreditation if you do not pay your registration joining fees, however should you decide after taking the course that refereeing is not for you, we will not charge you a course fee.
Click here to find out more about courses offered by FNSW.
Can I attend a course offered by FNSW or another referee branch and become a referee with the SSFRA?
Yes, however you may be required to pay a fee for attendance. Note: In Sutherland, we do not charge participants a course fee, provided a registration to join the SSFRA is completed.
Following successful completion of the course, participants are welcome to register with the Sutherland Shire Football Referees Association by contacting recruitment@ssfra.org.au; please note we are not able to waive course fees for attending the course elsewhere.
**IMPORTANT FOR ADULT REFEREES**
Football NSW - Working With Children Check Policy For anyone over the age of 18, a fully paid WWCC is required to become a Member of the SSFRA.
To apply for your WWCC - visit the Services NSW Website
Whilst it is not a requirement to have your WWC Check completed to attend the Level 4 Course, we recommend you undertake this check at your soonest convenience as you will not be appointed to a game until we have received this information from you. This check process by Services NSW can take up to 4 weeks to complete.
The only exemption to this requirement is if you are under 18 years of age, where the check is not mandatory. However, those members/participants who are 17 year olds, and turn 18 during the season should note, a valid WWCC is required the moment you turn 18. You can apply for this check as a 17 year old.
Questions?
If you are still unsure or if you have any questions relating to how to become a referee in 2023, please contact our Recruitment Officer via recruitment@ssfra.org.au
