How do I apply for promotion?

Modified on Mon, 11 Nov at 2:13 PM

Looking to take the next steps to Refereeing ?


Across the season we have 4 windows for promotion.


Pre season - till August

October

January

March 


About Staffordshire FA's Promotion Pathway

The Promotion Pathway is a developmental approach to referee progression, we support Referees from progression within the Youth level all the way to 5-4 & 4W-3W. The cost to join the Promotion Pathway is set dependant on the level you are applying for at either £20.00 or £25.00 for this fee you can expect to receive the following:

- Promotion Seminar

- Laws of the Game exam 

- Online Development modules

- Match Day Coaching reports

- Observation reports

- Face 2 Face development events 

- Fitness test (5-4 candidates)

- Priority access to Referee CORE groups

- Promotions event at a Staffordshire FA County Cup Final 

- Promotion coordinator - Paul Hussey, who will arrange with with your Match Day Coaching & Observations.


Please note all promotion candidates will be nominated for FA Cup, FA Vase, FA Trophy and FA Youth Cups. To be nominated you must complete the promotion application by Friday 28th June.


Referee Development & Support at CORE 

We strongly advise if you are participate in our Referee Development groups to access the best support along your promotion journey, sign up to a group here - https://forms.gle/zU24F29pmCQUAHN76


Promotion Criteria

Please see below a copy of the promotion criteria for each level, you must complete all aspects of the criteria prior to you being put forwards for promotion. We can put you forward to the promotions committee in October, December, March & May. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have complete all the aspects of the criteria. You will receive a formal copy of the criteria once you have registered for promotion.


Youth 1 - Youth 2 (Y1-Y2)

The first steps in promotion for any youth official. 

Cost - £20.00

Referee Fixtures - 20 completed (Under 14's & below)

Match Day Coaching - 2 Coaching sessions

Development events - Attend 2 development events

Laws of the Game - Complete 1 test


Youth 2 - Level 7

Moving from Youth to Adult football.

Cost - £20.00

Referee Fixtures - 20 completed 

Match Day Coaching - 2 Coaching sessions

Development events - Attend 2 development events

Laws of the Game - Complete 1 test


Level 7 - Level 6

Developing your experiences in Adult football 

Cost - £20.00

Referee Fixtures - 25 completed (Minimum 10 games in Adult football)

Assistant Referee Fixtures - 5 completed (Minimum of 3 appointments in Adult football)

Match Day Coaching - 2 Coaching sessions

Development events - Attend 2 development events

Laws of the Game - Complete 1 test


Level 6 - Level 5

Adult football only. 

Cost - £20.00

Referee Fixtures - 25 completed (Under 21's & above only)

Assistant Referee Fixtures - 5 completed

Match Day Coaching - 2 Coaching sessions

Development events - Attend 3 development events

Laws of the Game - Complete 1 test


Level 5-4

Progressing into the National League System.

Cost - £25.00

Referee Fixtures - 15 completed (Under 21's & above only)

Assistant Referee Fixtures - 15 completed

Observations - 4 Observations

Development Events - Attend 5 development events

Laws of the Game - Complete 3 test

Fitness test - Complete 1 fitness test


Level 4W - 3W

First steps into the Women's pathway.

Cost - £25.00

Referee Fixtures - 20 completed (15 within FA National League Tier 5 & 6)

Assistant Referee Fixtures - 3 completed

Observations - 4 Observations

Development Events - Attend 5 development events

Laws of the Game - Complete 3 test

Fitness test - Complete 1 fitness test


Was this article helpful?

That’s Great!

Thank you for your feedback

Sorry! We couldn't be helpful

Thank you for your feedback

Let us know how can we improve this article!

Select at least one of the reasons
CAPTCHA verification is required.

Feedback sent

We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article