How to become a youth football referee: earn money & build skills from age 14

How to become a youth football referee: earn money & build skills from age 14

Ok so we know there is a lot of bad press at the moment concerning referees and how they get treated by managers, players and sometimes event parents. However it can also be a really rewarding opportunity for teenagers who love sport to become involved and to earn some extra pocket money. 

If your child, aged 14 or over, has a passion for football and wants to get more involved in the game, becoming a grassroots football referee could be a fantastic opportunity for them.

Officiating matches not only helps them stay active and earn money but also builds confidence, communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility. We’ve had a few parents ask us about this so we decided to pull together a handy guide on what you need to know.

This blog will take you step-by-step through the process of how they can get started, along with the many benefits they will gain along the way.

Step 1: Understand the role of a referee

A grassroots football referee ensures that matches are played fairly and safely, applying the ‘Laws of the Game’ while managing players, coaches and spectators. Whether officiating in youth leagues or amateur adult matches, refereeing offers a fresh perspective on football and the chance to develop valuable life skills.

Step 2: Check eligibility requirements

Before your child can start their refereeing journey, they must:

• Be at least 14 years old
• Have a genuine interest in football and a willingness to learn
• Commit to upholding the values of fairness, respect and integrity

Step 3: Enrol on The FA Referee Course

To become a qualified referee, your child will need to complete The FA Referee Course, which provides both theoretical and practical training. The course includes:

• Online Learning Modules – Covering the ‘Laws of the Game’ and key officiating principles.
• Face-to-Face Training – Hands-on experience in match officiating, decision-making and game management.

How to register for the course:

1. It’s really easy, first of all you need to contact your local County FA to find out availability. We advise you doing this sooner rather than later as there can be a waiting list.
2. Pay the course fee (costs vary by region but are typically around £160-£180). However if you are part of a club speak to them first as some of them will pay the course fee in return for ref time after your child qualifies.
3. Complete any pre-course requirements, including online learning and safeguarding training.

Step 4: Gain practical experience

Once your child has successfully completed the course, they can start officiating matches. Many County FAs offer mentorship programmes to support new referees in their early games. They will also be encouraged to attend referee development events to refine their skills and boost confidence.

Step 5: Enjoy the benefits of refereeing

Encourage your child to embrace all the rewards that come with refereeing, including:

• Earning money – young referees can earn between £20-£40 per match, making it a great way to gain financial independence. There aren’t many other jobs for children aged 14 – 16 that will pay this well!
• Building confidence – making split-second decisions and managing players enhances their self-assurance.
• Improving communication skills – officiating teaches them how to assert themselves and handle difficult situations.
• Learning leadership and decision-making – these are skills that will benefit them in school, work and life.
• Staying active – Running up and down the pitch keeps them physically fit. Also being outside means even less time on a screen - something that many parents strive for!
• Developing Resilience – handling feedback and staying composed under pressure strengthens mental toughness.
• Career progression – They can work their way up from grassroots football to semi-professional and even professional refereeing.

Step 6: Support your child’s refereeing journey

As a parent, your encouragement can make a huge difference. Here’s how you can help:

• Be supportive – cheer them on at games and celebrate their achievements. Chatting to them after each match about their decisions is a great way to help solidify their knowledge.
• Help with transport – getting to and from matches can sometimes be a challenge, so offering lifts can be a great support.
• Bank account – setting them up their own junior bank account (such as a Revolut or GoHenry) will their own bank card with help them foster financial independence. It might even encourage them to save!
• Encourage continuous learning – suggest they take advanced referee courses or workshops to improve their skills.
• Prepare them for challenges – There may be tough moments, such as handling criticism from players or coaches, but reminding them of their strengths and growth will keep them motivated.

Step 7: Encourage inclusion and diversity

The FA is committed to ensuring refereeing is inclusive for all. Initiatives such as the Talent ID Events help young referees from diverse backgrounds find pathways to progress in the game. It’s a brilliant opportunity for your child to be part of a sport that champions equality and fair play.

Step 8: Celebrate their success

Each milestone in their refereeing journey deserves recognition! From their first officiated match to earning their first fee, every step is a sign of their growth and hard work. Encouraging them to reflect on their experiences and set new goals will keep them engaged and excited about their future in football.

One of our recent partners, London FA, supports the work of over 1,500 affiliated match officials all living within the capital and all of whom are dedicated to the grassroots game as much as they are to their own personal development.

Josh Reid, on behalf of London FA, talks about their latest initiatives; “We are committed to supporting our referees from the moment they complete the course and offer mentoring for our new referees at our Professional Academies across London. All London FA referees are welcome to attend our monthly CPD sessions where they engage with sessions to develop new skills for them to take forward into their matches, whilst also having the opportunity to network with other referees operating within grassroots up to the semi-professional game. We also run a Referee Development Group (RDG) which is committed to supporting officials who show high potential and a developmental mindset as they look to progress as a match official. Should referees show a willingness to progress, we encourage them to join the Referee Progression Pathway, which allows officials to progress through the levels of grassroots football before stepping up into semi-professional football within the National League System”.

Spotlight on….

Olivia Bartlett | referee for Verwood Town FC, age 14

Q: How did you become a referee?

“Through playing football and seeing the older kids refereeing who did a good job, I was lucky enough to have an amazing female referee that used to ref most of my games when I was younger. Also as part of my development in the Bournemouth academy I wanted to use it to help me with my knowledge and to understand the rules of the game better. To get started I approached my local club Verwood Town FC who run a young referees programme, they support young referees through their qualifications.

Q: What qualifications do you need to be a junior referee?

“To start you have to complete two free online courses. The FA referee course and the Safeguarding course. Once both these courses are completed you can then apply to attend a 3-day training course run by the local FA and this costs usually about £180. I was lucky as Verwood Town offered to pay for this course as part of their young referee programme.

Q: How often do you referee?

“Usually I do about 1-2 games each weekend. The requests to ref will depend on your level and match availability. The more qualified you get, you can be asked by the FA to ref bigger games like local cup finals etc, which will be cool as I get older.”

 Q: Let’s talk pocket money. How much can you earn?

“Depends on the Club and game, but somewhere usually between £20-£30 depending on the age group I am refereeing.”

Q: Do you enjoy being a youth referee?

“Yes I love it! Whilst the money comes in very handy, it also helps with my understanding and knowledge of the game and it has really boosted my confidence on and off the pitch. I especially enjoy the younger age groups and like being a role model to them, like the referees were to me when I was younger.”

Q: What advice would you give to other children wanting to become a grassroots referee?

“My advice to anyone considering becoming a ref would be to give it a go. It can be great fun and really helps with your confidence. The FA give you the tools to get started and if you can find a club like I did that will support you though it then the support is there to help you grow.”