Becoming a referee

This section is for people who are interested in becoming a referee. You may be an ex-player, ex-manager, or just someone who has a genuine interest in football. It doesn't matter as long as you are keen and committed. You should be at least 12 years, old, male or female, with good eyesight and with reasonable physical fitness.

The role of the referee can be very rewarding. There are the incentives of ‘big games’ and cup semi-finals and cup finals. But also you can progress up through local football, into a higher standard. You can do this by being assessed. If your marks meet the required standard then you can be promoted. This is a great reward for all the hard work you have put in.

If you think you have got what it takes then please contact The South Wales Football Association. They have their very own referees' development officer, Carl Daughters. You can contact Carl on 01656 766340 (H), 07768262035 (M), 01656 766340 (F), carldaughters@i12.com


Qualified and current referees

If you have just qualified as a referee then you need to register with the local Football Association. Once you have done that you need to register with a league(s). There are Saturday, Sunday and mid-week leagues, so there is always an opportunity for you to officiate. It is up to you how much time you put in to refereeing. But usually the more you put in the more you will get out. So if you want to ‘get on’ in refereeing then put as much time and effort in as you can. This doesn’t mean just refereeing once or twice a week. Attend your local referees’ society meetings, any promotion seminars, try and accept all county FA appointments, do physical training regularly and anything else you think will aid you into becoming a better referee.

It is also a good idea to have a realistic target. Not everyone can become a top class referee! Set yourself a goal that you know you can reach, if you put some work and effort in. This might be obtaining you ‘B’ class (level 6 in England) within two seasons. Or you could set yourself a fitness target. Whatever your target is, you will definitely reap the rewards. If you get promoted then you will be officiating at a higher level of football. If your fitness target pays off then you will find all sorts of physical activities easier.

So you can set yourselves a target, below are the different levels of refereeing in Wales.

Levels of refereeing in Wales*

‘Junior’ class (referees who are under 16 years old.) Are able to referee up to under 16's. Can receive local FA appointments.

‘C’ class (Start at this class when you qualify as a referee. Referee on local ‘park’ leagues.) Can receive local FA appointments.

'B' class (Assistant Referee on Welsh League 1st and 2nd Division and still referee on local 'park' leagues.) Can receive FAW Appointments and local FA appointments.

'A' class (Referee on Welsh League 3rd Division and Assistant Referee on 1st and 2nd Division. Option of refereeing on South Wales Amateur/Senior League. Can receive FAW Appointments and local FA appointments. Can still referee local 'park' leagues.)


'A' class (Referee on Welsh League 1st and 2nd Division and Welsh Premier as Assistant Referee. Option of refereeing on South Wales Amateur/Senior League. Can receive FAW Appointments and local FA appointments. Can still referee local 'park' leagues. Possible promotion onto FIFA Assistant Referees' list after at least one season.)

'A' class (Referee on Welsh Premier. Option of refereeing on South Wales Amateur/Senior League. Can receive FAW Appointments and local FA appointments. Can still referee local 'park' leagues. Possible promotion onto FIFA Referees list after at least one season.)
* Leagues/levels vary in some parts of Wales but are roughly the same.


Fitness Testing for Referees in Wales

From Class C to Class B
Currently there is no fitness test from Class C to Class B.

From Class B to Class A
2400 metres (6 laps of a running track) in 12 minutes.
2 X 200 metre sprints (35 seconds each)
2 X 50 metre sprints (8.5 seconds each).

Class A - Welsh League Referee, Welsh Premier Assistant Referee
2600 metres (6.5 laps of a running track) in 12 minutes.
2 X 200 metre sprints (35 seconds each)
2 X 50 metre sprints (8.5 seconds each).

Class A - Welsh Premier Referee
This fitness test is taken at the end of the season usually in June.
2700 metres (6.75 laps of a running track) in 12 minutes.
2 X 200 metre sprints (32 seconds each)
2 X 50 metre sprints (7.5 seconds each)