Rather than just watching your son or daughter from the touchline why not get more involved, and volunteer to ref the game? You can become a fully qualified ref at modest cost and a minimal time commitment to study. Herts FA will be running courses from Letchworth through 2012 at a cost of £100 for adults. The course comprises 5 modules, and modules 1-3 will require a time commitment of just 2 Saturdays and 2 mid week evenings. If you pass a 1 ½ hour written exam in module 3 you will become a level 9 referee able to ref eagles games. Complete module 4 – a probation period requiring you to officiate in 6 matches – and module 5 – an in service training event lasting 2 hours – and you will become a fully fledged level 7 referee if you are 18 years or older.
Qualified referees receive a fee for appearing in matches and travel expenses, so not only is it rewarding in terms of personal satisfaction, but financially as well.
If you are interested you can find out more, including the courses available, from the web site of the Hertfordshire FA
