Cumberland FA is delighted to announce that the following FA Referee Courses will be taking place throughout the county this summer.

CONFIRMED COURSES

Venue: Carlisle City FC, Gillford Park, Petteril Bank Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 3AF

Monday 4th September 2023 (10am to 3pm)

Tuesday 5th September 2023 (10am to 3pm)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

The course cost is £130 and includes a whistle, flags, red and yellow cards, CFA referee registration, 2-years membership of the Referees’ Association, and your first FA DBS application fee (worth £10).

Scott Taylor, Cumberland FA Referee Development Officer, said: “This summer we have four planned Cumberland FA referee courses across the County FA and all have spaces available currently.

"We are aware of a shortage of referees in and around the Penrith area so have specifically organised one to hopefully train at least 12 new refs that will support the grassroots game here, in particular the Penrith Youth League.

"As always, we are after adult referees to officiate our older youth age groups and support open age football. Sadly, this week we have cancelled an ‘adult only’ referee course in Carlisle due to low numbers.

"We needed a minimum of 12 and the lack of interest amongst adults these days (to take up the whistle) is a concern for us going forward. In the past, ex-players like myself would put something back into the game and take up refereeing when that time came to retire from playing. I finished playing aged 28 and wanted to stay in the game, hoping one day that I might officiate at a higher level than I managed to reach as a player.

"Now, some 22 seasons later I am one promotion away from running the line in the Football League! I’ve done several live TV games and been on duty at several Premier League grounds with numerous U21 sides and got as far as the FA Cup 1st Round Proper. Just imagine how much further I may have gone up the refereeing ladder if I’d started sooner!

"Anyone interested in becoming a referee must first take the free online FA Laws of the Game qualification (here). Then they can book on one of our summer referee courses (here) and start their journey.”