L4 AR promotion route

[L9212]

Evening all,

I know this has been briefly covered before, but does anyone know how I can access information about the direct L4 AR route that has been introduced?

Apparently it got changed from L3 to L4 2 years ago, however I can only see 1 small article online on ref support about it and my RDO doesn’t seem to know anything about it. If not does anyone know any L4’s who have gone down that route and how they found it?

 

[JamesL]

To: Level 4 Match Officials



Season 2022/23 - L4 Assistant Referee Specialisation



Firstly, thanks to all those who completed the recent Level 4 specialist assistant referee pathway survey. It has been incredibly useful in understanding the perspective of Level 4 referees across the country and has helped steer discussions regarding the options for the Level 4 AR pathway for season 2022/23.



Further to receiving the data from the survey, and as part of the annual review of the refereeing pyramid, we are pleased to confirm the Football Association has amended the a route for current Level 4 referees to operate as specialist assistant referees.



From 2022/23 all officials who have operated as a Level 4 referee (or higher) for 3 or more seasons (previously 5 or more seasons) since they were first promoted (i.e. first promoted to Level 4 for season 2019/20 season or earlier) can choose to operate as a specialist assistant referee for season 2022/23.



Details as to the criteria for implementation of the specialist route can be found on the attached document.



If you meet this requirement and wish to operate as a specialist assistant referee for season 2022/23 please complete the link by no later than 5pm on Friday 1 April 2022.



Should a match official who has selected the AR pathway achieve promotion to Level 3 as a referee OR any match official is reclassified to Level 5 as part of the 2021/22 retention process (and meets the 3 year criteria) we will be in contact at the end of the season to establish your preferred option for season 2022/23.



Any current L4 specialist assistant referee who wishes to revert to a dual role as a Level 4 official for season 2022/23 please email FAcompreferee@TheFA.com by no later than 5pm on Friday 1 April 2022. Please note that this option is subject to retention as a Level 4 specialist assistant referee.



If you have any questions regarding the criteria please feel free to make contact with Chris.Kay@TheFA.com or Chay.Hathway@TheFA.com

 

[bester]

You can be promoted on the line in the first 3-years as a level 4 for 'outstanding performance'. There were a couple of refs promoted this way in the summer. They aren't included in the assistant bindings for specialist assistants which ordinarily decides AR promotion, leaving a rather large transparency gap.