Do you have what it takes to become a referee?

We’re looking for females who are interested in becoming either football or futsal referees.

Scholarship inclusions:

• Course cost of Level 4 Referee (or Futsal Referee) Course run by FNSW
• Referee starter park (including whistle, flags, cards and notebook)
• Kappa on-field referee shirt
• Laws of the Game book
• An invitation to attend the Proctor Park Challenge in Bathurst (arrival on the afternoon of Friday 9th, tournament held over 10th & 11th February 2024) as a referee. Your food, accommodation and a travel allowance for the weekend will be included as part of your invitation.

Eligibility criteria:

• Open for all individuals who identify as a woman or non-binary 
• Minimum 13 years old
• Must be based in NSW  

Already a qualified referee and looking to progress to the next level?

Scholarship inclusions:

• Upgrade course cost (to either a Level 3, 2 or 1 referee)
• Coaching on live matches
• Laws of the Game book
• An invitation to attend the Proctor Park Challenge in Bathurst, held during a weekend in early February as a referee. Your food, accomodation and a travel allowance will be included as part of your invitation.

Eligibility criteria:

• Open for all individuals who identify as a woman or non-binary
• Must be based in NSW
• Must already have an current Level 4 Referee (or higher) qualification

Passionate about developing and supporting the next generation of referees? 

This scholarship is for qualified female referees who are interested in getting their assessor qualification to coach and mentor young up and coming referees.

Scholarship inclusions:

• Level 3 Assessor course cost
• Mentoring on a match where you are coaching a referee
• Referee coach notebook
• Laws of the Game book
• An invitation to attend the Proctor Park Challenge in Bathurst (arrival on the afternoon of Friday 9th, tournament held over 10th & 11th February 2024) as a referee. Your food, accommodation and a travel allowance for the weekend will be included as part of your invitation.

Eligibility criteria:

• Open for all individuals who identify as a woman or non-binary
• Must be based in NSW
• Minimum 18 years old
• Must already hold Level 3 Referee (or higher) qualification and have at least two years experience as a referee

• When will I know if I have recieved a scholarship?

Scholarship recipients will be contacted by Friday 24th November 2023.

• What happens once I recieve a scholarship? 

When you are advised you have received a scholarship you will also be sent a list of courses; you must register and attend one of the available courses in order to receive your scholarship.

Courses will be held online and in person throughout Jan 2024.

• What if I'm not available to attend any of the course dates scheduled?

A range of course dates and times will be scheduled. If you are unable to attend any of them you will be unable to complete your scholarship to become a referee/referee coach.

• What does the New Referee Scholarship course involve?

You will be required to attend two 3 x hour theory sessions, and one practical session. You will have the option to complete your theory and practical over multiple nights or during one day.

• What is Proctor Park Challenge?

The Proctor Park Challenge is a pre-season tournament in Bathurst for teams in Under 12 - Under 16 Girls from Youth League, Association Representative and Association Club teams to play shortened games over a weekend to provide pre-season matches in an enjoyable and competitive environment. 

The weekend is also a training camp hosted by Football NSW for new and existing referees.

• When is Proctor Park Challenge?

It is held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th Feb 2024. Referees will arrive on the Friday afternoon.

• Who attends Proctor Park Challenge?

Football NSW staff who run the referee training camp. New and existing referees from the Leagcy scholarship program and throughout NSW also attend. NPL and A-League referee coaches attend to coach and mentor referees on every match.

• Is attending Proctor Park Challenge a requirement of my scholarship?

It is strongly recommended that all scholarship recipients make themselves available to attend PPC as the weekend is a crucial part of learning how to referee/coach referees.

Scholarship nominees who are unable to attend PPC may still be considered for scholarships on a case by case basis.

• Do I need a Working with Children Check to referee?

All referees 18 or older are required to have a paid Working with Children Check. You cannot referee or coach referees without it. Full details on the FNSW policy on WWCCs is here: https://footballnsw.com.au/protection-and-safety/working-with-children/

• If I attend Proctor Park Challenge, do I need to arrange my own accommodation?

No, FNSW in conjunction with Bathurst Association arranges accommodation for all referees and referee coaches at Bathurst Motor Inn. It is expected all referees and referee coaches will stay in the group accommodation as there is very little availability for other accommodation options unless you have already booked.

• Can my parents attend Proctor Park Challenge with me?

Parents and spectators are welcome at the tournament to watch games and support their children however, FNSW will not be supplying accommodation or food for any family members to stay with their child who is refereeing during the weekend.

•  Can I do the referee scholarship if I am playing at Proctor Park Challenge?

Yes, we can give you the opportunity to referee around the games you are playing throughout the weekend.

• Have other questions? 

Please email emmak@footballnsw.com.au