ECFA Football Officiating Hub Fund

Who can apply?

The fund is open to ECFA Accredited Colleges that can:

• Work in partnership with their local County FA.
• Recruit students who are genuinely interested in becoming referees.
• Qualify a minimum of 15 students.
• Support students to complete their qualification games.
• Help students register with their County FA and progress into community refereeing.
• Provide refereeing opportunities within the college, where appropriate.
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to diversifying the referee workforce.

Colleges must qualify a minimum of 15 students through the course, with an ambition to achieve 20 or more where possible. The final number of places will depend on the course costs agreed with your County FA and how many learners can be supported through the £1,750 funding.

Transition and retention

Applications must include a clear plan for supporting students beyond the course. This should explain how students will:

• Complete the games and M&E required to qualify.
• Register with the County FA.
• Access mentoring, development and ongoing support.
• Progress into refereeing opportunities within community and college football.

Students selected for the course should understand the commitment involved and have a genuine interest in continuing as referees.

Diversity and inclusion

Applications must demonstrate how the project will broaden participation in refereeing and help develop a workforce that better reflects the communities the game serves.

This may include targeted recruitment and support for students from groups currently underrepresented in refereeing, as well as students who may face socioeconomic barriers to accessing training and opportunities.

Working with your County FA

Colleges must speak with their local County FA before applying.

The application form includes a question that must be completed by the County FA to confirm that they support the application, have agreed the delivery arrangements and are ready to support students through the qualification and transition process.

Applications will not be considered without County FA confirmation.

Funding

Successful applicants will receive £1,750 towards the delivery of an in-house referee course.

Further information about payment and reporting requirements will be provided to successful colleges.