Become a qualified FA football referee

• Limited number of places available.
• Students from all courses welcome to apply.
• Please read the criteria before signing up.

Worcestershire FA 3-day refereeing course, November 2026

An FA Referee qualification enables you to officiate grassroots football matches. After completing the in-person training and refereeing 5 practice matches, you will become a fully qualified Level 7 Referee, allowing you to officiate youth and adult matches, progress through the promotion pathway and earn match fees.

Course Details 

Expected dates:

Delivered on campus by Worcestershire FA 

• Session 1: Monday 2^nd November afternoon, 3-hour indoor session
• Session 2: Friday 6^th November morning and afternoon, 8-hour practical and classroom session 
• Session 3: 2-hour indoor follow-up session (approximately 6 to 8 weeks later) 

All three sessions must be attended in full.

Criteria

To take part, you must: 

• Be 19 years old or over 

• Have a Football Association (FA) Number 

• Complete two free online FA courses before the course starts:  
  • FA Guide to Laws of the Game (approx. 1.5-2 hours total)
  • FA Safeguarding for All Courses (approx. 1.5-2 hours total)

• Attend all course sessions 

If you plan to referee matches involving players under 16, you will also need to obtain a DBS check (£21.50). 

Course Cost and Funding Support 

The course costs £145. 

Funding support is available through the Joel Richards Scholarship Fund, meaning students may receive £100 financial assistance towards the course fee, with individuals just needing to pay the remaining £45.

How to Apply

Complete our expression of interest form to register your interest.  

Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If applications exceed the number of available places, a reserve list will be created. If applications don’t reach the minimum amount required to run the course, the course will not be able to run.

After you have completed the expression of interest form, we will be in touch to confirm whether you have been allocated a place. Payment will be required by Wednesday 14 October, alongside proof of completion of two free online FA courses (FA Guides to Laws of the Game and FA Safeguarding for All Courses). A secure payment link will be provided.

Please note that all payments are non-refundable if participants are unable to attend the course, but they may be transferred to another eligible attendee if you are unable to attend. If the course is unable to run or is cancelled, those booked on will receive a full refund of £45.

All attendees must have completed the pre-requisites ahead of the course.

Priority for funding from the Joel Richards Scholarship Fund will be given to students who previously attended Joel Richards’ former schools in Wednesbury: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School and/or Wood Green Academy.

The Joel Richards Scholarship Fund

Joel Richards was a second-year Sports student at the University of Worcester when he became the youngest victim of the Tunisia massacre in 2015, in which his uncle and grandfather were also murdered.

The Joel Richards Scholarship Fund aims to honour Joel’s legacy by helping others pursue their ambitions in sport, which Joel had a strong interest in. In November 2026, the Joel Richards Scholarship Fund will part-fund students who may otherwise not have been able to take part to undertake a 3-day football refereeing course.

Suzanne Richards, Joel’s mum, said: “Joel dedicated his life to helping others through sport. Knowing that this scholarship fund will carry on his spirit fills us with pride and gratitude.”

Queries

You can contact coacheducation@worc.ac.uk if you have any queries about this course or the funding for this.