A&H

FA, Centre of Referee Excellence (CORE)

E

Egg man

Member
Level 5 Referee
Hi,

Could people share their experience on being on FA, Centre of Referee Excellence (CORE). What sort Level of commitment and time is needed and how it improved your refereeing experience?

I've just be invited is this opportunity all referee get or is it invite only?

Thanks
 
The Referee Store
Very much invite only and a good indicator that you’re doing something right on the pitch!

I’ve been part of CORE for a few seasons now and while there is some extra commitments, admin and expectations it’s well worth it.

I’m terms of commitment, you’ve got to be available for 4 regional development days, the odd zoom call and make sure your availability for games is good too.

Extra admin involved is the self appraisals and feedback with your coach after each game. This can be a bit of ball ache sometimes if you’ve had a simple game with nothing to really talk about but it’s also really useful to pick up on things you might not normally consider.

The benefits are great though, you’ll get a dedicated coach for the season (mine was a current Premier League AR last season and now I’ve got a former EFL referee) they’ll come watch you a few times a season and help with aspects that observers won’t.

There is some pressure and expectations of high standards though, ultimately it’s a centre of excellence and so they expect ‘excellence’ both on and off the pitch.
 
Last edited:
Will_A said:
Very much invite only and a good indicator that you’re doing something right on the pitch!

I’ve been part of CORE for a few seasons now and while there is some extra commitments, admin and expectations it’s well worth it.

I’m terms of commitment, you’ve got to be available for 4 regional development days, the odd zoom call and your nature your availability for games is good too.

Extra admin involved is the self appraisals and feedback with your coach after each game. This can be a bit of ball ache sometimes if you’ve had a simple game with nothing to really talk about but it’s also really useful to pick up on things you might not normally consider.

The benefits are great though, you’ll get a dedicated coach for the season (mine was a current Premier League AR last season and now I’ve got a former EFL referee) they’ll come watch you a few times a season and help with aspects that observers won’t.

There is some pressure and expectations of high standards though, ultimately it’s a centre of excellence and so they expect ‘excellence’ both on and off the pitch.
Click to expand...
Thanks Will,

It sound like a opportunity to good to turn down. I'm going from 7-6 this season but expect to go for 6-5 next season.
 
Egg man said:
Thanks Will,

It sound like a opportunity to good to turn down. I'm going from 7-6 this season but expect to go for 6-5 next season.
Click to expand...
With the new development pathway you should be able to do that in a season, if you are regularly available as much.
Another benefit is you'll spend more time with referees at a higher level, we have some refs as high as 2b in our regional group so to have access to that will only help develop your own skills.
 
Your county FA will select referees they feel are “suitable and capable of progressing to the elite levels of the game”

If you haven’t been invited yet then just keep concentrating on your on-filed performances, admin and showing a willingness to attend CPD sessions etc.
 
Will_A said:
Your county FA will select referees they feel are “suitable and capable of progressing to the elite levels of the game”

If you haven’t been invited yet then just keep concentrating on your on-filed performances, admin and showing a willingness to attend CPD sessions etc.
Click to expand...
And for those who are more advanced in years, don't imagine that this criteria rules you out. Elite levels are basically PGMOL which kicks in around National League level. I know of a number of refs in their 40's who have recently been nominated to CORE ...
 
Russell Jones said:
And for those who are more advanced in years, don't imagine that this criteria rules you out. Elite levels are basically PGMOL which kicks in around National League level. I know of a number of refs in their 40's who have recently been nominated to CORE ...
Click to expand...
Absolutely. I’m 34 soon, we have another few refs older than me and one who I’d imagine is late 40’s/early 50’s.

That’s before we discover how old @JamesL is! 😂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top