COMMUNITY REFEREE PATHWAY

Each week hundreds of volunteers and coaches grab a whistle to coordinate and lead children's games to be more enjoyable and safer.

The Game Day Leader Award is great for coaches/volunteers who want to play a key role in creating fun, safe and enjoyable game days for First Kicks and Fun Football.

As a Game Day Leader, you’ll help guide young players through their early football experiences, focusing on enjoyment, fairness and positive participation. It’s not about strict rules or results, but about creating an environment where every child feels included, confident and excited to play — helping spark a lifelong love of the game while making each game day a memorable experience.

The Game Day Leader award is a FREE online course that you can do at your own pace.
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Complete Online - REGISTER NOW for FREE!

NZ REFEREE PATHWAY
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Following the introduction levels there is the opportunity to get involved in the 'official' refereeing pathway.
For referees in New Zealand there is a clear pathway to help you achieve your goals while contributing to the success and enjoyment of players, coaches and fans along the way.

The starting point for our men and women in the middle is at the grassroots where a Level One Referees Course will equip you to officiate youth and local senior football.  This, like a number of the referee courses can be taken online in the comfort of your own room or at a central venue.  Soon there will alos be specific courses for junior level referees, covering the special skills and requirements of controlling junior footballl games.

A competency assessment on a game(s) forms the Level 2 accreditation. From there, the Level Three Course will opent the door to top federation and inter-federation leagues and in some national competitions like the National Youth League.  Leve 4 accreditation is, like Level 2, gained following a performance competency evaluation.

The Level Five Certificate will not only arm you with the skills and knowledge to step up to the Women’s and Men’s National Leagues but can also unlock a world of international opportunities with exceptional referees who achieve their FIFA badge assigned to international fixtures throughout Oceania. After that, the world awaits, with FIFA tournaments including FIFA World Cups and Olympic games on offer for top officials.

Alongside the referee pathway, a similar road exists for assessors, who can impart their knowledge and experience to those at lower levels, either once they themselves have finished active refereeing or as they progress along the pathway.  Instructors, assistant referees and Futsal referees all have clear, transparent pathways similar to referees and assessors.
​​​​​​​For referees in New Zealand, there is a clear pathway to help you achieve your goals while contributing to the success and enjoyment of players, coaches and fans along the way.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can become a referee?

Anyone who enjoys football can pick up the whistle. There are no age restrictions, although as with anything if you start young then you’ll have more time and opportunity to reach the top. You may take a course and qualify as a youth referee at 12, and there are plenty of opportunities to referee younger age groups and Small Whites football.

Equally though, it’s never too late to start and there are plenty of local referees still keeping fit and serving the game around local football fields well into their sixties.

What are the requirements?

To begin with you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness, good eyesight (despite the obvious jokes) and a good sense of humour.

As you develop, you’ll find it’s important to be able to handle players well, have  a feeling for the game, control the game, be consistent and make accurate decisions, all of which NZF referee education can help with.

What about female referees?

Women are welcome and while able to officiate in both men’s and women’s competitions, there are options to operate within the female side of the sport. For all referees, there are many opportunities to progress through the refereeing ranks to FIFA level and be involved in international matches and tournaments overseas.

Isn’t it difficult?

You’ve played the game and you’ve watched the game so it’s not a great step to make decisions about action within a match.  Is it fair? If it isn’t then blow your whistle. Is it nasty, dangerous or reckless? If it is then you blow your whistle

NZF’s referee education will support and grow your knowledge and ability to make the right decision more often.

How do I become a referee?

An introductory Club Based Referees Course (CBR), lasting a few hours, is aimed at parents, coaches, teachers and players and will teach you about the essential Laws of the Game.

The Level 1 Course is designed for those who want to become a referee and covers the basic Laws of the Game, referee movement and positioning, acting as an assistant referee, player management and identification of common fouls. It comprises 10 one-hour sessions.

Are there tests?

Yes. At the end of the course you will answer a multi-choice, written paper, which asks you to decide what you would do if you were the referee in a game.

Is there a career path?

From local parks to FIFA; council grounds to great stadiums. Local Central referee (add name + information) began refereeing in his 20’s and reached FIFA level and refereed international matches. Peter was one of the referees from around the globe that officiated at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

What about on-going training?

Across the federation  there will be coaching sessions where you are kept up to date with law changes and helped to develop your refereeing techniques, regular meetings and outside training sessions are held. Senior Referee’s will be assigned to shadow and mentor new officials as the begin their journey. ​​​​​​​