The Ref Stop

Level 7 Debut Season

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kje2198

New Member
I’ve now completed my first 5 games after completing the refereeing course, due to the timing majority of these have been youth football (although I am for OA next year). I submitted my games to the RDO to be signed off (around 3 weeks ago) however I am yet to hear anything and my WGS still highlights me as a “Trainee Referee”. I have signed up with a league already (Sundays) and am hoping to hear from local NLS Saturday leagues soon to register with them to begin the promotion progress.

Do I put it down to being the end of the season or is this something I should be chasing up with the RDO to get the Trainee updated to Level 7
 
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The Ref Stop
It will most likely be because the season has finished. It took about 4 weeks for mine to be updated in October so don’t worry, it will get sorted eventually!
 
kje2198 said:
I’ve now completed my first 5 games after completing the refereeing course, due to the timing majority of these have been youth football (although I am for OA next year). I submitted my games to the RDO to be signed off (around 3 weeks ago) however I am yet to hear anything and my WGS still highlights me as a “Trainee Referee”. I have signed up with a league already (Sundays) and am hoping to hear from local NLS Saturday leagues soon to register with them to begin the promotion progress.

Do I put it down to being the end of the season or is this something I should be chasing up with the RDO to get the Trainee updated to Level 7
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The RDO has to verify the games, not always easy with youth leagues, and out of season so many administrators will be on holiday. Should be sorted soon.
 
kje2198 said:
They were all friendly games so I imagine would be even more difficult hence the delay. Thank you for the reassurance however! :)
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"Friendly games" are possibly the reason for the delay. Were they sanctioned? Did an Appointments Secretary agree your appointment? Learning point for all new referees, one we mention on every course.
 
To be fair at the end of our course they said to us that it was our job to message clubs for friendly games as the season was now over and the CFA could not offer much support around that. I have done a youth tournament that was advertised through the CFA, that I could use should they need alternative games
 
kje2198 said:
I’ve now completed my first 5 games after completing the refereeing course, due to the timing majority of these have been youth football (although I am for OA next year). I submitted my games to the RDO to be signed off (around 3 weeks ago) however I am yet to hear anything and my WGS still highlights me as a “Trainee Referee”. I have signed up with a league already (Sundays) and am hoping to hear from local NLS Saturday leagues soon to register with them to begin the promotion progress.

Do I put it down to being the end of the season or is this something I should be chasing up with the RDO to get the Trainee updated to Level 7
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*UPDATE*

I had submitted the games on 4th Jun so basically a month now and still no further update about when it will tick over to Level 7, even resubmitted (with CFA approved tournament games) after a county wide email asking anyone that has trainee level to that had completed 5 matches to resubmit games Spoke to RDO about and they’ve just said “it’ll be done in due course”. Still putting it down to being in the off season. But getting a little frustrating now as I am a stickler for having things all lined up and being able to arrange things etc. Hopefully some movement soon 🤞🏻
 
It definitely is to do with it being the off season.

Stay calm and chill as you don't want to be burning bridges with people you will rely on.

Keep a log of your games. If you plan on pursuing level 6 this year, the delay on level 7 won't matter if you keep the evidence.

The off-season can feel like an eternity, but just stay zen.

I can't think of many situations where being a trainee ref and being a level 7 makes a difference.
 
Jevon Swinscoe said:
My advice is to give it a season at L7 to learn your trade before going for L6.

As one of my old refs secs used to say walk before you run
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My personal opinion is that this depends on your age.

L6 is not any more difficult than L7 in theory. If you're a young lad with time on your side, then it's a good thing to take your time working through the levels. If you're in your mid to late 20s with ambitions to get to a good level, then it's probably not that advisable to waste a season for the sake of it (but that's just my opinion)
 
RefereeX said:
My personal opinion is that this depends on your age.

L6 is not any more difficult than L7 in theory. If you're a young lad with time on your side, then it's a good thing to take your time working through the levels. If you're in your mid to late 20s with ambitions to get to a good level, then it's probably not that advisable to waste a season for the sake of it (but that's just my opinion)
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I'd typed out something similar and hadn't sent it.

It is a very personal and unique thing to each person.

Absolutely nothing wrong with taking several seasons to promote and for some people either due to commitment or experience or whatever else, it is a sensible approach.

But I find the current process quite slow already. Lot and lots of waiting. Lots of expectations to get a season of experience under you before doing the next level etc.

Sort of like the belt system in jiu-jitsu. Some put a lot of time and research into it in short spaces of times and fly through the ranks.
 
It's not a one size shoe doesn't fit all, as you say.

I'm a bit 2 sides of the coin. I kind of understand that the years of experience were helpful in some ways but also regretful I didn't go a bit harder, e.g. double bubble promotion, or as it was in my 1st 5-4 attempt not committing enough to it.

And then with COVID hitting cancelling 2 seasons (albeit season 2 and 3 were joined and i got promo to L3) I just feel a little behind and have a feeling of what could have been.

I am where I am though but just wanted to echo the thoughts that this is a very individual matter with lots of consideration such as age, ambition, confidence, skill etc.
 
RefereeX said:
My personal opinion is that this depends on your age.

L6 is not any more difficult than L7 in theory. If you're a young lad with time on your side, then it's a good thing to take your time working through the levels. If you're in your mid to late 20s with ambitions to get to a good level, then it's probably not that advisable to waste a season for the sake of it (but that's just my opinion)
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Definitely agree I’m 26 in the autumn months so time still on my side but that have chance of getting to a decent level it’s got to be some what “quick”. That said I don’t really want to rush it as I could be more than comfortable at Sunday league games that work well around family life, but ambition right now is to try and go as far as I can take it 🤞🏻
 
kje2198 said:
Definitely agree I’m 26 in the autumn months so time still on my side but that have chance of getting to a decent level it’s got to be some what “quick”. That said I don’t really want to rush it as I could be more than comfortable at Sunday league games that work well around family life, but ambition right now is to try and go as far as I can take it 🤞🏻
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have you considered trying out for the county core group?
 
kje2198 said:
I submitted my games to the RDO to be signed off (around 3 weeks ago) however I am yet to hear anything and my WGS still highlights me as a “Trainee Referee”. I have signed up with a league already (Sundays) and am hoping to hear from local NLS Saturday leagues soon to register with them to begin the promotion progress.
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Just wanted to say that I am in the same position as you, but I completed the training games last season and attended the qualification/sign off evening which confirmed progression to Level 7 status before the end of the season.

But I am still a trainee referee on the FA website. I have chased to no avail and accept that the CFA and RDO have more pressing things to be getting on with.
 
The Ginger Ref said:
Just wanted to say that I am in the same position as you, but I completed the training games last season and attended the qualification/sign off evening which confirmed progression to Level 7 status before the end of the season.

But I am still a trainee referee on the FA website. I have chased to no avail and accept that the CFA and RDO have more pressing things to be getting on with.
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If it’s any consolation my 5th games was in early October last year and it was mid December before I received my certificate. It will be changed, it just takes ages.
 
kje2198 said:
I had seen that but I wasn’t really sure what it entailed - also I only qualified semi-recently so don’t think I’d be good enough to even qualify 😂
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Have a chat with Olly about it if you can. Just say you're interested as you're looking to learn and try and progress but due to only recently qualifying you're not sure if you'd be worthy of consideration, and see what he says.

It'll be a big help to people. I've just agreed to act as a coach for 1 or 2 lads on the program. Basically, you'll have monthly meetings which will probably consist of both practical and classroom training and then you'll be assigned a coach that will come and watch you a couple of times in the season, but will be on hand to give advice whenever you need it etc. It would definitely be worthwhile for anyone looking to progress. (Never done coaching before so can't promise it would be great for anyone who gets me as their coach, but I'll give it a go 😆 )
 
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