Courses for 2024 will be published when dates and venues are finalised. Below is additional information that will be updated once the courses are finalised.
Becoming a referee with the MWFRA
Each year the MWFRA trains around 100 new junior referees who undertake the nationally accredited FFA Level 4 Referee courses. Refereeing is a rewarding and enjoyable pastime which will allow you to actively contribute to improving the standard of local football, develop management and communication skills, and be paid while enjoying football. We look forward to seeing you at a field shortly.
If you have any questions about becoming a referee or the registration process, please contact the MWFRA’s Course Coordinator, Robert Iacono, by emailing [email protected].
The Expectations of the MWFRA:
As part of this process, you can expect the MWFRA to:
- Deliver nationally certified training delivered by FFA qualified instructors with a follow up practical session before the season starts;
- Provide you with a Junior Coordinator who will endeavor to meet with you, to attend some of your games and be available for any questions you may have;
- Provide ongoing support through formal practical training sessions and technical information sessions;
- Endeavor to mentor all first year juniors as either a referee or assistant referee;
- Offer opportunities to progress to higher levels of refereeing such as through higher level local matches, advanced courses or FNSW’s Referee Development Program (subject to referee age, experience and performance).
To become a qualified referee will need to:
- Be at least 14 years old on 31 December 2021;
- Submit an application to referee, including completing the on-line LOTG certificate;
- Enrol in and attend one of the all-day courses in either February and attend a practical training day in March;
- Register to referee and pay the registration, uniform and course costs through PlayFootball;
During the season we expect that you will:
- Make yourself available on our appointments system, MatchRef, on a weekly basis;
- Referee at least 1-2 sessions per week (night game, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon). You will need to be available on Saturday and Sunday mornings in order to receive centre referee appointments. Night games and Saturday/Sunday afternoons you will be appointed as Assistant Referee;
- Undertake as many games as an Assistant Referee as possible to learn from the senior centre referees;
- Attend a training session at least once per month – either a technical session at a General Meeting or a training session at Cromer Park.
Steps to Apply – Juniors
Applying to become a referee takes four simple steps.
Step 1. Junior Referees – Obtain the FFA’s free online Laws of the Game Certificate.
This certificate shoudbe obtained in the weeks prior to the courses applicatons opening. Please do not do this until course applications are open.
Create an account (please use your own name even though it may say you need to be over 16 years of age), completing the interactive Laws of the Game workbook and passing an online multiple choice examination here: Laws of the Game | Play Football
After you have done this, save a copy of the certificate
Step 2. Complete the MWFRA Junior Referee Application
Please ensure you upload your Laws of the Game Certificate when completing your application.
IF YOUR APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED. Do not proceed to the next step unless you have been notified your application is successful.
Step 3. Register for one of the courses – successful applicants will be forwarded the link to register.
Step 4. Register with the MWFRA – futher information on how to complete this step and the cost of the course will be updated in early 2024.
FAQs
How much information should be included in the application?
The purpose of the application is to learn about your motivations for applying, your availability, and to give you the opportunity to consider why you would like to referee. Therefore, we only require short (1-10 word) answers to the questions. If we require more information we will contact you separately.
How do I pay the course fee?
Course fees must be paid when registering on PlayFootball for the MWFRA.
The course fee is too expensive. Is it possible to pay later?
The MWFRA registration fee includes the course, uniform, FFA/FNSW registration fees, a LOTG book, and course materials. We do not aim to profit from the courses and feel they are competitively priced. As such, we are unable to offer discounts or options to pay later.
How much will I get paid?
As a guide, the match fees from 2023 are here. Please note that they are subject to change each year.
I am unable to attend the courses for juniors. Can I attend a seniors course?
As our juniors and seniors courses include different content and teaching methodologies, we are unable to offer seniors courses to junior referees.
I am unable to attend the practical session. Can I do the practical session at another time?
We are only able to offer 2 practical new referee training session due to field and trainer availability and therefore it is compulsory to attend on these dates.
What is your cancellation policy?
We follow the FFA’s cancellation policy, available on page 11 of the FFA’s AODS. Please contact us ASAP if you need to withdraw from a course.
Further Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to contact Robert Iacono by emailing [email protected] or Sigrid Mulherin at [email protected] with any questions about becoming a referee with the MWFRA.