Referees in Essex who are hungry for a challenge are being offered a potential path into the professional game if they apply for promotion by Friday 1st March.

The promotion season for match officials commences in March each year, and individuals who are looking to move up the ladder of officialdom can access support from our Referees Department to help them achieve their dream.

Referees who wish to be considered for promotion should first ensure they’d be able to meet the criteria laid down by The FA. Those already on the promotion scheme should still apply for next season and the relevant action will then be taken once the outcome of current promotion applications is known.

All promotion applicants must register for the 2019/20 season by the 1st June 2019 and respond to all correspondence in writing efficiently, preferably by E-Mail. Maintenance of a record of all matches (whether as a referee or assistant referee) is also a condition, as well as being prepared, and regularly available, to referee Saturday and midweek matches.

Following the closure of the promotion application window on 1st March, all match officials who meet the criteria will then be contacted with confirmation of their place on the promotion scheme, along with details of the scheduled in-service training seminar dates.

Should you have any questions relating to the promotion scheme, please feel free to contact the Referees Department. Applications are required by 9:00am on Friday 1st March. To find out more about refereeing in Essex, browse the 'Referees' menu above, follow @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.

Level 7-6: candidates will be expected to meet the following criteria:

* attend a recognised in-service training seminar
* successfully complete an examination on the laws of the game
* keep the Referees Department informed of all their fixtures
* referee a minimum of 20 11v11 appointed matches during the promotion season, of which a maximum of six games may be at Under 18s level
* respond to all correspondence efficiently, preferably by E-Mail
* meet the required performance standard within the Referee Observations carried out during the promotion season

Level 6-5: candidates will be expected to meet the following criteria:

* must have met all of the above Level 7 to 6 criteria
* must have completed five 11v11 matches as an appointed assistant referee during the promotion season at senior level

Level 5-4: candidates will be expected to meet the following criteria:

* referee a minimum of 20 adult matches in total during the period 1st March 2019 to 29th February 2020
* complete a minimum of ten appointments as an assistant referee on adult matches during the period 1st March 2019 to 29th February 2020 (it is recommended that as many as possible are at Supply League level) 
* be prepared, and regularly available, to referee Saturday and midweek matches
* attend regional in-service nomination training sessions, delivered by The Football Association
* successfully complete an examination on the laws of the game
* successfully complete an FA Referee Fitness Test prior to nomination. The minimum standard to be attained is: twelve-minute continuous run (minimum distance completed 2,600 metres), two 50-metre sprints (maximum 7.5 seconds for each sprint)
* meet the required performance standard within the Referee Observations carried out during the promotion season