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Joining Now? - New Sutherland Refs




We are the senior refereeing branch in the Sutherland Shire and we cover all full field matches for the Sutherland Shire Football Association. We are currently taking registrations for persons 14 years and older (or who will be 14 years or older soon after the relevant course).


If you want more information on time commitments to referee, what you get paid, or if you are younger and want to start MiniRoos refereeing at your local club- check out:


COST - $120: $87 in Step 1 (to SSFRA) and $33 in Step 3 (to FA). This cost includes registration, in person course costs and basic uniform (black shirt, shorts, socks) and basic equipment (whistle, cards, notebook and flag). You will later need to provide your own shoes/boots, coin, pen and watch. There is an additional cost for over 18s - see WWC requirements at the bottom of this post.



This may seem like an in-depth process, but it is a process designed by Football Australia to make you the best possible referee you can be on day 1, and most of the course is done on your own time and in your own home.


STEP 1 - Registration for Sutherland Referees


PlayFootball is open for registration now:



If you play or coach or volunteer you may already have an account - it would be the same one to ref.


If you require assistance in accessing the PlayFootball website (including help with accessing password) you MUST contact PlayFootball support via 8880 7983 (Mon-Fri 10am - 5:30pm AEDT). The SSFRA does not have individual user access to this system.


You will need to pay your registration fees online by credit card. Select the New Referee Package ($87 cost, payable by credit card). If you are over 18 years old you will need your paid WWC number ending in an "E" and expiry date - if you are under 18 this step does not apply to you and you can leave nominal values in the form (if anything appears at all).


If you have any other registration related questions or issues, please reach out to registrar@ssfra.org.au.


STEP 2 - Online Laws of the Game


To get started, set up an etrainu account - learn.footballaustralia.com.au. This may already be linked to the PlayFootball details you use to register to play or coach or you may have set up a new account in STEP 1 above. The etrainu support email for general issues in logging in and registering is etrainu@playfootball.com.au.


If you are having trouble logging in, it is usually related to three issues:

  • Play Football accounts linked within a family - you will now be prompted with the option to create a 'Learning Centre Account' with your existing PlayFootball number. If you have any historical qualifications (e.g. had previously done the LOTG certificate) they just need to email learningcentre@footballaustralia.com.au who will bring your qualifications across into their profile (rather than your parents).

  • Multiple etrainu accounts in the same household - try resetting everything - this includes clearing cookies + history, and maybe using a different browse

  • If there is no future SSFRA course to register for, email recruitment@ssfra.org.au and we will set one up just for you.





The Online LOTG course is available on etrainu and will take you through the Laws of the Game and help you understand how to interpret these laws. You need to select training Library > Referee - Laws of the Game > Laws of the Game





There is no cost for this course. It has six modules and you can stop and start.


If you run into any issues with any questions or get stuck , email us at recruitment@ssfra.org.au for support.


STEP 3 - Junior Match Official Course


Now you know the laws, the Junior Match Official course will take you through some of the main practical skills of being a new referee. It is also available on etrainu. Go to Training Library > Referee Community - Member Federation > Junior Match Official (Level 4). You will not be eligible to register for it until you have completed Step 2 - The Online Laws of the Game Course.  


All new refs do this course - regardless of whether you want to ref Junior or Senior Football - If you are in the latter group and are already an adult, we will accelerate you onto Senior Football once you have completed this course.



The first thing it will ask you to do is to register for an in-person practical date with Sutherland Shire Football Association.


Select "Enrol via Event". Then you type "Sutherland Shire" into the "Member Associations" box like below and select the correct course (make sure you are on February or March). Then follow the steps to register and pay the $33 to Football Australia.




Once you are registered for an in-person date, the Online component of the level 4 course will become available for you to complete via etrainu. There are four modules, these can be done in your own time, but need to be finished prior to your in-person practical course date.


If you run into any issues with any questions or get stuck , email recruitment@ssfra.org.au for support.


The In Person portion of the JMO course will take you through your flag and whistle practice. You will be able to collect uniforms and equipment you purchased on the day of your course. We will also provide more admin information (like how to use our MatchRef website to make yourself available for games, select your zones and related teams, and how to find your appointed matches).


Step 4 - In-person support on matches


The final step is to referee a match - we provide in person support and training to those who need it.





OTHER INFO


Who are you?

You are 14 years and older (or will be 14 years or older by 15 April 2024) and are interested in refereeing or assistant refereeing on full field matches in the Sutherland Shire in 2024.

If you have previous refereeing experience and are thinking of returning, we are happy to talk to you as well.

If you are looking to take up Small Sided Games/Mini-roos refereeing, we are happy to put you in touch with the right contact person at your local club (depending on if they have availability). Most clubs take referees for these matches at younger age groups (often 13yo, but some 12yo as well).


I am an adult – can I skip to the senior course C4?

No – Course C3 has the base knowledge you need to become a C4. We will be running C4 courses throughout the year, and would recommend it for anyone who is deemed competent at C3 and is over the age of 16.


What am I committing to?

In terms of your time commitment - after doing the course, there is none - you tell us when you can referee using our website, and which Sutherland Shire based zones you are available to referee in, and we will do our best to find an appropriate level of match for you linked to your availability and your experience. We can work around your playing times, coach/manager times, or other football commitments you may have. We work on an opt-in basis, so you only get games during the timeslots you have opted in to make yourself available.



What does a referee get paid?

All matches are remunerated in accordance with the following (subject to a 8% admin fee). For most of our members refereeing is a hobby, and is non-taxable income




Are there any other costs to becoming a referee?

The $87+$33 registration includes your course fees, a registration fee, Football NSW and FFA affiliation fees as well as your basic uniform (Black Shirt, Shorts, Socks) and basic equipment required to referee (whistle, cards, notebook and a flag). Additional uniform and equipment may be purchased on the day of your practical course or throughout the season (e.g. jackets, bags, alternate shirt colours - additional costs apply for each). You will need to provide your own shoes/boots and digital watch.


Since the 2018 season, it has been a requirement of Football NSW that all adult Referees and other persons in child related roles working with children under 18 years obtain a paid WWCC and provide their club / association with a valid WWC number. To complete your registration you must have a valid PAID WWCC (currently $80 through ServiceNSW, which lasts for 5 years). Note: A WWC number ending in V is not sufficient – it must end in “E”. You will not be able to referee with us if you are an adult and cannot supply this information. The only exemption to this requirement is if you are under 18 years old, where the check is not required. 

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