SFA Launch New Online Referee Training Course

The Scottish FA have today launched a brand-new referee online training course, offering a fresh and innovative route to becoming a referee.
In collaboration with eCoach, a leading organisation in online training, the courses aim to provide the best available coaching for aspiring match officials, combined with flexibility, in a new drive to increase referee recruitment in Scotland.

The course, a first for refereeing in Scotland, includes interactive match footage, an in-depth IFAB Laws of the Game exam and offers an alternative choice alongside the face-to-face training already in place for those looking to begin their refereeing journey.

The launch comes after significant success in Northern Ireland and Wales, where there has been a 300 percent increase in referee recruitment following the launch of the online courses.

Once passed successfully, candidates are given a direct link to their local Referee Association, getting them within touching distance of picking up a whistle for the first time.

Scottish FA Head of Referee Operations Crawford Allan said: “It has become apparent during the pandemic that people are very keen to play or be involved in sport and it is very encouraging to see so many people returning to football.
“This, in turn, gives us a challenge supplying sufficient referees each week, so we are delighted to be launching this pioneering new online course to help recruit and train new referees throughout Scotland.
“This flexible approach to becoming a referee will hopefully suit a number of people that cannot attend face-to-face courses and we have seen evidence in other nations that online courses have helped to attract those that have not considered refereeing before.
“Becoming a referee promotes a healthy lifestyle, encourages using spare time in a sporting environment, helps to develop transferable management skills that will benefit other career opportunities and is a huge attraction for those with aspirations to be a part of the game.
“We are very keen to encourage anyone interested in refereeing to either take this course or attend one of our face-to-face courses held around the country.”
Director of eCoach Simon Richards said: “eCoach are delighted to be working with the Scottish FA on this suite of referee recruitment online courses. They’ll make becoming a referee in Scotland far more accessible, while maintaining a high level of training quality.

The Scottish FA become the third Home Nations FA to utilise the training courses, with Northern Ireland and Wales benefiting from an increase in referee recruitment of up to 300 percent over the last few seasons. We look forward to seeing this partnership flourish and more and more referees picking up the whistle over the next few years.”

To book your place on the new online course, email referee.recruitment@scottishfa.co.uk or visit scottishfa.thewhistle.academy


Members January 2022 Promotions

Following a meeting of the Referee Committee, we are pleased to advise the following Renfrewshire Referees’ Association members who have been promoted January 2022.

David Dickinson – Category 1 select
Michael Bonner – Category 3
Scott McGregor – Category 3
Alastair Taylor – Category 3
Gary Noonan – Category 4 Development

Well deserved all and we wish you the best of luck in the coming season.


January 2022 Members Meeting

A reminder to all members that our first members meeting of the 2022  will take place this Monday 10th January 2022 at 7.30pm. We would urge you all to attend the meeting if you can, as we will be running through coaching slot for all our members.  This will be in conjunction with the usual meeting business also.

Similarly to previous meetings, this meeting will take place on the Zoom platform with full details of how to access the meeting having been emailed to all members


January 2022 New Entrants Referee Class

On Thursday 20th January, Renfrewshire Referees Association will be hosting a brand new entrants course to prepare anyone with an interest in a career in refereeing.

When – Starting 20th January, every Thursday @ 7pm (10 weeks)

This is a great opportunity to learn the Laws of the Game with an exam to conclude on your final week. Support is provided to new referees and a mentor will be arranged to provide guidance in the early stages of your refereeing career. Direction will also be given on suitable leagues to commence refereeing at your own pace. Refereeing is a rewarding hobby giving you the chance to keep fit, make new friends and travel all over the country.

To register your interest in the upcoming course please register HERE

For more information on the course contact secretary@renfrewshirereferees.org.uk or message us on Facebook or Twitter

Whilst waiting for a reply test your knowledge with our association quiz. This quiz includes questions from the introductory exam and advanced exam.


September New Entrants Class

Looking for a new hobby? From the 1st of September, Renfrewshire Referees Association will be hosting a brand new entrants course to prepare anyone with an interest in a career in refereeing.

When – Starting 1st September, every Wednesday @ 7pm (10 weeks)

This is a great opportunity to learn the Laws of the Game with an exam to conclude on your final week. Support is provided to new referees and a mentor will be arranged to provide guidance in the early stages of your refereeing career. Direction will also be given on suitable leagues to commence refereeing at your own pace. Refereeing is a rewarding hobby giving you the chance to keep fit, make new friends and travel all over the country.

To register your interest in the upcoming course please register HERE

For more information on the course contact secretary@renfrewshirereferees.org.uk or message us on Facebook or Twitter

Whilst waiting for a reply test your knowledge with our association quiz. This quiz includes questions from the introductory exam and advanced exam.


August 2021 Members Meeting

A reminder to all members that our first members meeting of the 2021/2022 season  will take place this Monday 9th August 2021 at 7.30pm. We would urge you all to attend the meeting if you can, as we will be running through the amendments to the Laws of the Game for the coming season, an extremely important coaching slot for all our members.  This will be in conjunction with the usual meeting business also.

Similarly to previous meetings, this meeting will take place on the Zoom platform with full details of how to access the meeting having been emailed to all members


2021 Regional Training Day

The Scottish FA Referee’s Department are running an on-line Regional Training Day, using the Zoom platform, on Sunday 16th May 2021, between 10am and 1pm.

Any member (cat 4, 4 Dev, 5, 6 or 7) wishing to participate in this coaching session should contact the Association managers, Joe or John to register their interest. Being included in this very informative and useful initiative that will assist referees of all levels and experience.

The association would like to specifically encourage all new members who have recently completed the entrants class to attend.

The Scottish FA Referees’ Department are wishing to know attendance numbers early to assist in their preparations.

 


2021 Annual General Meeting

Renfrewshire Referees Association will hold our Annual General Meeting on Monday the 12th of April 2021. The members meeting will start at the usual time of 7.30pm. The meeting will be held online via the Zoom Platform (Access & Login Details have been sent out by email to all members). Any member who may require support in accessing Zoom please get in contact at the earliest opportunity.

Membership Fees should be paid prior to the AGM. The new fees as voted in the March meeting are as follows;

  • Category 1-3 (including SAR and SAR dev) – £10 SFA registration fee & £35 membership fee = £45 total
  • Category 3dev and under – £10 SFA registration fee & £10 membership fee = £20 total
  • Full-time Students (proof required) – £10 registration fee only
  • Senior Associate Members – £10 registration fee only

Please also take note of the new association bank account details, which has been sent by email. Full details of how to pay the membership fee has already been sent via email. An AGM Pack, along with a list of Nominations will be sent by email in due course.

 


Renfrewshire Referees’ Association Linkedin

Renfrewshire Referees’ Association has launched a Linkedin Account to connect with other individuals and organisations within the football industry.
If you have a personal Linkedin account feel free to connect with us.
 

March Members Meeting

Polite reminder that our next Monthly Members Meeting, including the annual Nominations meeting, will be held on Monday 8th March. As per current practice, this will be held on Zoom, starting at the usual time of 7.30pm and will consist of the normal meeting business and coaching corner slot.

Following the members meeting, we will have our Nominations Meeting to elect the Management Committee for the forthcoming season.  If you wish to be considered for a position on the Management Committee, please inform me as soon as possible. To be considered, please state the position that you wish to be nominated for, along with your proposer and seconder.  If you wish to enquire about the nature of any Management Committee positions, again please get in touch.

Similarly to previous meetings, full details on how to access the meeting have been emailed to all members.