In order to support football being truly a game for all, North Riding County FA are working in partnership with FA Refereeing to offer bursaries for a FA Refereeing Course.

The bursary programme has been developed to support individuals who may be facing barriers to taking up the whistle and becoming a FA referee. 

We want to create a more inclusive referee workforce here in North Riding FA and will be offering a FA Refereeing Course at a discount rate of £25 (bursaries are £95) for historically underrepresented communities (Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage populations).

The initiative is aligned to the new FA Refereeing Strategy to wider goal of helping to increase referee recruitment from historically underrepresented ethnic communities.

The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they will need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively.  It is for people aged 14 and over who want to referee mini soccer, 9 v 9 and/or 11 v 11 football.  

Benefits of refereeing:

• Financial incentive: Referee payments currently range from £20- £45 per match 
• Career prospects: Opportunity to progress through the referee pathway semi-pro and professional game
• Fitness: Staying active whilst refereeing
• Skill development: Teamwork, communication, management skills etc. can be learnt

The proposed course dates and venue is subject to be confirmed. However, we are initially gathering interest, with a view to hosting the course in the early part of 2024. 

To express your interest in the course and to receive the bursary, you must click the link below and complete the form, the deadline is Wednesday 15 November 2023:

click here to register interest

We will make contact with all those who complete and express their interest, to discuss next steps shortly after the above deadline.