I've been thinking about going for promotion to Level 4 next season, but I'm not sure the environment is conducive to me. I have been living abroad for most of this season and have only refereed a handful of games and I am due to complete a Bachelor's degree during next season. Intending to continue in education with a Master's Degree, I'm not sure where I will be next season, although its certain to be in the UK, I don't know where. I've heard different things from different referees, some say not to push for Level 4 too early but others say just go for it. Would love the input of others.
Level 4 and a Masters Degree
- Thread starter lalec03
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Runner Ref
Well-Known Member
L4 is a big step up in commitment. Refereeing almost becomes more of a part-time job than a hobby.
If you think you'd have the time, go for it.
If you think you'd have the time, go for it.
The main thing to remember is that the push to get to 4 requires a lot of commitment. Make sure you have enough avaliable time to complete the requirements in terms of games required and the courses/development sessions provided by your county.
TheReferee
Member
I know someone who was in the army, they were level 3. Of course it is slightly different in that case as there is the army fa but it does show you can get to that level without full commitment to it every weekend. IMO as long as you are doing 2/3 games in level 4 ref league standard, whether it’s midweek or on a Saturday I reckon you’d be fine. Although I know the person I was talking abt was struggling to get promotion at level 3 as he wasn’t doing enough games, therefore I would probably try doing as many games as possible in a short period then go for promotion
Runner Ref
Well-Known Member
May havr changed slightly since I packed in, but general availability was most weekends and 2 midweeks a month
TheReferee
Member
I knew you had to be committed, but I didn’t realise you had to do that much, I guess if your part of the army fa there’s a little more leeway and that how the person I knows got round it. I can see why you have to be committed though as at grassroots level there’s no competition between refs for games as there’s not enough refs. But at level 4 every game gets a ref leaving no spare games meaning competition for games is always going to be high meaning you do have to be somewhat consistently committed if you want a game at this level
Runner Ref
Well-Known Member
Correct, all games need to be covered by a ref of a certain level. You also have to bear in mind that you may not necessarily get a move every week that you're available.
But if you're only available 2 weekends out of the month and very few midweeks, I'd imagine you would struggle to progress mist further. But the chaps who ar L3 & L4 currently can probably give a better idea on that than I can.
TheReferee
Member
That guy I was talking abt has been at level 3 for 7 years I think he said due to his army commitment
Without knowing where you are going to be it is difficult to say, you say it will definitely be UK, but promotion schemes are different across each of England, Wales and Scotland.
In England you should be OK as long as you are available most Saturdays and at least occasional midweeks. I don't really see how being a post-grad student would be any different to someone with a new 9-5 job, you should be available Saturdays and, depending on when lectures end, midweek evenings. Of course you will need to close dates around exam periods, but's no different to someone having to close dates due to things like month / quarter end periods at work, busy project periods, etc, that won't be any issue as long as you do it before appointments are made.
In England you should be OK as long as you are available most Saturdays and at least occasional midweeks. I don't really see how being a post-grad student would be any different to someone with a new 9-5 job, you should be available Saturdays and, depending on when lectures end, midweek evenings. Of course you will need to close dates around exam periods, but's no different to someone having to close dates due to things like month / quarter end periods at work, busy project periods, etc, that won't be any issue as long as you do it before appointments are made.
Okay, this is helpful, my follow up question is, should I be promoted to Level 4 in England, how does this carry over if I did go to Wales/Scotland/NI?
Don't think there is a black and white answer on that, each case is taken on merit, just the same as if a referee is coming from overseas. The receiving country looks at their refereeing history and level and tries to match it to their system.