How to get promoted?

[REFAP]

So coming to the end of my first 5 matches and had a mentor come out to a game which the feedback was much better than I expected. Now I totally get the “don’t rush” and “learn your trade first” however approaching 32 this summer I’m keen not to let time pass and not try to progress up the levels whilst I’ve still got “the legs” for it.

There seems to be limited information online about the criteria for promotion from 7-6, 6-5, but very little detail about how and when you can apply? Is there a cut off time or is it open all season?

 

[NoFoulsAllowed]

You can apply for promotion anytime and they typically hold a promotion date very few months.

Contact your RDO. They'll start you on the pathway.

Criteria is roughly

25 matches. Some must be open age (think 10 for 7-6) and some can be youth.

Then 5 appointments as an assistant referee.

LOTG exam and a few online modules about varying topics on refereeing.

I am certainly in the camp of, if you are enjoying it. Go for promotion. It is a great way to get match coaches out and watching you and giving feedback.

 

[RefereeX]

Now I totally get the “don’t rush” and “learn your trade first” however approaching 32 this summer I’m keen not to let time pass and not try to progress up the levels whilst I’ve still got “the legs” for it.

To be fair, depending on location, being a level 5 referee is often not all that different to being a level 7, so you can learn your trade as you progress. Like you say, at 32, if you're to make it to a good standard it's almost now or never. I started at 26 and I've made it to level 3 now as a 33 year old. I'm thinking if I'm going to get much higher it will need to include another promotion in the next couple of years, but I also said when I started climbing that if I ever got to Level 3 I'd feel like I've achieved something. I didn't expect it to come as soon as it did (baring in mind there were COVID interruptions also).

Good luck, and enjoy the journey!

 

[Steve Fall]

As above contact your Referee Development Officer from your county. Their contact details should be on the relevant county FA page. As some counties may have different criteria - e.g. like attending training etc.

 

[DavidObs]

To be fair, depending on location, being a level 5 referee is often not all that different to being a level 7, so you can learn your trade as you progress. Like you say, at 32, if you're to make it to a good standard it's almost now or never. I started at 26 and I've made it to level 3 now as a 33 year old. I'm thinking if I'm going to get much higher it will need to include another promotion in the next couple of years, but I also said when I started climbing that if I ever got to Level 3 I'd feel like I've achieved something. I didn't expect it to come as soon as it did (baring in mind there were COVID interruptions also).

Good luck, and enjoy the journey!

There have been Referees promoted to L3 at aged 56 because they were good enough (so still plenty of years ahead of you, but I know what you mean), though at this age, it is always going to be a challenge with the ever-changing yearly fitness test etc. The Referee I knew at 56 didn’t make it into his 2nd season because of injury.