PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR REFEREE PROMOTION ARE NOW CLOSED 

The Promotions Scheme is the process in which referees get promoted through the FA pyramid in both the adult male and female game, and is the first step up the ladder for those who wish to referee at the highest level possible.

It is open to any referee providing they hit the criteria below.

1. Is this for me?  

• Are you at least 16 years of age
• Are you currently a level 7, 6 or 5 referee who would like to progress further

2.  What’s involved?

• You need to referee 20 games during the season (Aug to end of April). League and cup games count. Friendly games do not.
• 75% of games must be adult football with 25% of youth football over 16s under 18s

3.   Benefits 

• You will gain knowledge, you will get better games, you will develop your referee skills and ability. You will hopefully progress to the next level, get better County games and also move into Saturday and stay in Sunday football

4. Progression

7 to 6

• You will be observed in at least 3 games and need to achieve a mark of standard or better
• You need to attend a promotion seminar (likely to be completed via webinar), one evening in Aug/Sept where you will have to pass a multi-choice Laws of the Game exam
• Referee 20 games as stated above. Then hopefully in May you will be promoted to the next level.

6 to 5 - as above

5 to 4  

• As above but observed 5 times with an average mark of 70 required and  in addition you need to complete a minimum of 10 games as an assistant referee, on Saturday football

As a level 4 you will become one of the top 30% of referees in the country.

You move into semi-professional football as a Level 4 referee and will referee clubs like Abbey Hulton , Alsager, Brocton, Eccleshall, Hanley Town  Rocester, Stafford Town Walsall Wood and Lichfield FC, for example.

You will also operate as an Assistant Referee on the leagues at the level above meaning you will be at clubs like Hednesford Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Leek Town, Nantwich Town, Rushall Olympic, Stafford Rangers and Chasetown FC. Once you become a Level 4 referee The FA look after your next promotions to 3, 2b, 2 and 1. 

Please note that applications are now closed.