Completing Your Five Games

After completing your Referee Course, you must officiate and record a minimum of five matches before you can be converted to Qualified Referee Status.

Your five matches can be:

• 5v5
• 7v7
• 9v9
• 11v11

These can be either competitive fixtures or friendly matches. If officiating a friendly, both teams must be affiliated.

Officiating in Youth Football

If you plan to referee youth football and are aged 16 or over, you must hold a valid, in-date FA DBS check.

Referees under the age of 16 may only officiate in competitions where the players' age group is at least one year younger than the referee. For example:

• A 15-year-old referee can officiate matches involving Under 14 teams and younger.

Finding Games

Option 1 – Through a Local Club or League

If you are already involved with a grassroots club, you can complete your five games with your club.

If you are not attached to a club or league, we can help identify local opportunities for you.

Option 2 – Academy Fixtures

We appoint referees to academy fixtures on Sunday mornings (11:00am kick-off) at:

• Sheffield Wednesday
• Sheffield United
• Rotherham United
• Barnsley

Click here for more information.

Appointments are available for Under 9 to Under 15 age groups, giving new referees the opportunity to:

• Referee younger age groups
• Act as an assistant referee on older age-group matches

The academy environment is a great place for new referees to develop in a safe and supportive setting.

CLICK HERE to view refereeing opportunities across the county.

Recording Your Five Games

Once you have completed your five matches, you must:

• Complete the Online 5 Game Record Form.
• Complete the Referee Feedback Form.

Both forms must be submitted before we can convert you to Qualified Referee Status.

CLICK HERE to complete the Online 5 Game Record Form.

Click Here to complete the Referee Feedback Form.

What Happens Next?

Submitting your forms does not automatically confirm your Qualified Referee Status.

A member of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA team will review your submission and contact you to confirm once your status has been updated.

Need Help?

If you have any questions, please contact us at Support@SheffieldFA.com

Please note that completion of the is not confirmation that you have been converted to 'Qualified Referee Status' a member of staff will be in touch to confirm once the form is reviewed. 

If you have any questions please contact Support@SheffieldFA.com or click submit a ticket in the top right hand corner.