According to an email sent by PGMOL, Step 1 (National League Premier, Premier League 2) and National Group (EFL 1 & EFL2) are merging for the 2024/25 season for referees and assistant referees. Interesting move by the FA/PGMOL. Delight for Step 1 officials and disappointing for current National Group officials I suspect.
Step 1 & National Group - Merger
- Thread starter NE32
- Start date
Interesting move that I suspect is part of a bigger picture plan! I'd imagine there will still be seniority within the list and you won't have brand new 2a officials refereeing League One matches. Lots of good 2a referees out there, so a great opportunity for them!
More info...
SG1 (Premier League)
SG2 (Championship)
National Group - (EFL 1, EFL 2, National League Premier, Premier League 2), Referees will be classed as Level 1. With AR's classed as Level 3D.
Level 2 - (National League North/South) ---- Level 2A/2B and Level 3E AR's to become defunct. Those operating on the National League North/South will become level 2, with AR's staying as level 3F.
SG1 (Premier League)
SG2 (Championship)
National Group - (EFL 1, EFL 2, National League Premier, Premier League 2), Referees will be classed as Level 1. With AR's classed as Level 3D.
Level 2 - (National League North/South) ---- Level 2A/2B and Level 3E AR's to become defunct. Those operating on the National League North/South will become level 2, with AR's staying as level 3F.
Wonder how that works with the rumored addition of L4's as 4th men on the national league north/south.
I guess we will all find out soon
I guess we will all find out soon
Jed
Member
I’m a little confused, if your a national league premier specialist assistant referee at the moment what will this mean for them
You would go from 3E, which is now defunct, to 3D and would be eligible for games in National League Premier, League 2 and League 1.
It all makes sense to me. With the National League Premier being a professional league now there is very little difference in quality between it and League 2, as evidenced by how well teams that have been promoted have done.
Could be one reason why so many L4 promotions.
So this is a comment I have read from outside of this forum:
A review of the structure for refereeing across the National Group and Step 1 has now been undertaken and, following approval from the FA Referees' Committee and PGMOL Board, the National Group and Step 1 list of match officials will be merged to create one list of match officials to cover all competitions currently served by the National Group and Step 1 (EFL League 1, EFL League 2, National League (National) and Premier League 2 (development). This will be in place for the start of season 2024/25. This change sees the operational management of Step 1 officials move from the FA to PGMOL i.e., appointments, kit, equipment and payment mechanisms., All referees in this group will be considered Level 1 match officials.
A review of the structure for refereeing across the National Group and Step 1 has now been undertaken and, following approval from the FA Referees' Committee and PGMOL Board, the National Group and Step 1 list of match officials will be merged to create one list of match officials to cover all competitions currently served by the National Group and Step 1 (EFL League 1, EFL League 2, National League (National) and Premier League 2 (development). This will be in place for the start of season 2024/25. This change sees the operational management of Step 1 officials move from the FA to PGMOL i.e., appointments, kit, equipment and payment mechanisms., All referees in this group will be considered Level 1 match officials.
RefGod
Active Member
I am curious to see what this means for fitness test and the rumour that body fat testing has been abolished. Previously, Step 1 AR did the standard 15/22. EFL line was 15/18 and 18% fat.
There is then the question of pay across divisions (I have referenced countless times that those at Step 1 in particular were all grossly underpaid, irrespective of EFL fees) and motivation for officials who have already specialised in certain roles. A few first year 3's got mid season Step 1 AR. They are now automatically EFL and could be on L1 games before Christmas.
There is then the question of pay across divisions (I have referenced countless times that those at Step 1 in particular were all grossly underpaid, irrespective of EFL fees) and motivation for officials who have already specialised in certain roles. A few first year 3's got mid season Step 1 AR. They are now automatically EFL and could be on L1 games before Christmas.
I heard that national league middles will be £300 so there does appear to be a match fee leveller coming along with it.
Fitness test is a good question. My guess is they will be told to get fit enough to get games. Ultimately we are all at, or aspiring to that level, we should be prepped and ready for the next fitness test up.
Also, EFL middles are 15/18 and PL lines are 15/18 so I would expect EFL lines to be 15/20?
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Correct. National Group AR test is 15/20 after 1x CODA inside 10.1 secs and 4x 30m in 4.7 secs.
The pass/fail body fat component was removed in March, so whilst the body composition measurements are still taken and monitored there is no longer an arbitrary line to get under.
This, I think is great development. With National League (being a single division) and its standard, the ability to move referees between them with be great. No longer is there the huge step up from L2A to the National Group. also, with them being not Full time referees, gives greater clubs closer to reduce travel time.
It'll be interesting to see if there are any rule changes for level 3's. In previous years if you were promoted to the National Group (EFL) as an AR you'd have to stop refereeing or choose to give up your position as a National Group AR. Will those being promoted from Step 2 as an AR to the new National Group now have to choose I wonder? Or likewise for those 3's already at Step 1 which will now form the new National Group.
Are you sure? I thought you could dual at any level for 3 years and then you had to specialise. Are you sure that those reaching EFL just weren't at the time to specialise?