The Ref Stop

New names for refereeing levels

RustyRef

Administrator
Staff member
The FA have today announced that the names Panel Select, Panel, Contributory and Supply will disappear with immediate effect, being replaced with Step 1 List, Step 2 List, Step 3/4 List and Step 5/6 List. Full content is below.

Refereeing Levels – Name Changes

The FA Referees’ Committee have approved the change of name for refereeing levels within the National League System in readiness for 2020/21.

These changes look to reflect terminology consistent with levels used in the National League System to allow greater understanding of the refereeing pyramid across the football community. One element of the current environment largely misunderstood are the names of refereeing levels across the referee pyramid.

Consequently, with immediate effect, the names of levels within the refereeing pyramid will be changed as follows:

Current NameNew Name from 20/21Referee LevelAssistant Referee Level
Panel SelectStep 1 List2A3E
PanelStep 2 List2B3F
ContributoryStep 3/4 List3A4B
SupplyStep 5/6 List4A5/6/7


Refereeing Levels – 2020/21 Constituent Competitions

We are aware that a number of changes to the refereeing pyramid have been made in recent months; a number of which impact the competitions which constitute the respective levels across the refereeing pyramid.

In addition, with the co-operation of the respective leagues, the restructure has allowed for new Step 5/6 referee pools to be set up in the South West, East Midlands, North West and Yorkshire regions.

Please therefore find attached the confirmed list of competitions and their level within the refereeing pyramid and pool (where applicable) for 2020/21.

FA Competitions and respective League Cup competitions will supplement the league competitions listed.

As the planned National League System restructure to include a new Step 4 division and additional Step 5 divisions has had to be delayed for a season, further changes will take place prior to the start of 2021/22.
 
The Ref Stop
Definitely a step up for some level 4s who will go from refereeing step 6 and 7 games to step 5.

It'll be very interesting for new 4s who will take a very big jump and for those on their lines. Going to need some very good and involved appointments officers.
 
Looks like a much needed change IMO - the old system was incredibly difficult and confusing to get your head around, the new naming system is definitely clearer. I think that table with associated referee levels needs to be kept alive and widely circulated as well.
 
Only seen this second hand (via refsupport) but this appears to be fuller confirmation that the 'Specialist Assistant' route will start next season at Level 4. Seemingly in a limited way for those who have been at L4 a number of years and demonstrated promise as an Assistant

 
Only seen this second hand (via refsupport) but this appears to be fuller confirmation that the 'Specialist Assistant' route will start next season at Level 4. Seemingly in a limited way for those who have been at L4 a number of years and demonstrated promise as an Assistant

All L4s were asked the question in an email on June 2nd -
"We can confirm requests to operate as a specialist assistant referee will be offered to all Level 4 officials who have operated as a Level 4 referee (or higher) for 5 or more seasons since they were first promoted to Level 4 (i.e. first promoted to Level 4 for 2015/16 season or earlier). "
 

Attachments

Curious Table with two columns titled 'Referee Level' :confused:

I do agree there has been some confusion across referees here. It is my understanding, and using Level 3 as an example, that Level 3 referees will still be called Level 3 referees. But instead of saying we are Contributory League referees, which often doesn't mean much to someone, we simply say we are a Step 3/4 List referee - ie Step 1 in the English Non-League System being the National League Premier Division
 
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