How to organise a referee course

A referee course needs two kinds of preparation: classroom teaching and practical work on the football field. Start by fixing the date, location, teachers and supervisors before opening registration. Then build the schedule around registration, lessons, breaks, testing and field exercises. The details most often missed are dietary requirements, working presentation equipment, chilled catering and enough time to mark out the practice area before participants arrive.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Record the course date and location
2
Confirm teachers and practical supervisors
3
Send invitations
4
Process registrations
5
Update participant list
6
Collect dietary requirements
7
Create the course schedule
8
Prepare teaching materials
2 people
9
Print tests and answer sheets
10
Check presentation and videos
11
Reserve soccer field
12
Reserve a room and changing area
13
Order catering
14
Do the shopping
2 people
15
Store catering chilled
2 people
16
Send participant reminder
17
Prepare attendance list
18
Clean the room
2 people
19
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
20
Connect projector and laptop
2 people
21
Lay out presentation materials
2 people
22
Mark out the practice field
3 people
23
Set up registration desk
24
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people

Event

25
Receive participants
2 people
26
Register attendance
27
Explain the course program
28
Give a lesson on the game rules
29
Serve break drinks
2 people
30
Discuss theory questions
31
Explain practice exercises
2 people
32
Supervise practical exercises
3 people
33
Refill drinks
34
Serve dinner
3 people
35
Explain the exam arrangements
36
Administer the theory test
2 people
37
Collect and check the forms
2 people
38
Administer practical test
3 people
39
Explain the feedback and results
2 people
40
Present Certificates

Aftercare

41
Collect materials
3 people
42
Clean up the sports field
3 people
43
Wash dishes
2 people
44
Clean the room
2 people
45
Collect and take away waste
2 people
46
Return borrowed materials
2 people
47
Record test results
48
Send certificates digitally
49
Inform participants about next steps

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Registration desk
Coat racksqty 2

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projector cablesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Flip chart
Flipchart markersqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 32
Glassesqty 32
Platesqty 32
Cutlery setsqty 32
Serving traysqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Pitcherqty 2

Sports equipment

Referee whistlesqty 8
Referee watchesqty 4
Yellow cardsqty 8
Red cardsqty 8
Note cardsqty 40
Conesqty 30
Flagsqty 4
Footballsqty 6
Marker discsqty 20
Training bibsqty 20
Measuring tape

Catering

Name badgesqty 32
Pensqty 40
Notepadsqty 32
Groceries

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Trash bag holdersqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Broomqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 2

Tips

Confirm the teachers and practical supervisors before sending invitations, then publish one schedule showing classroom sessions, field practice, breaks and the test.
Close registrations early enough to update the participant list, collect dietary requirements and prepare the attendance list before the course day. A final check one week ahead prevents last-minute changes.
Test the laptop, projector, cables, presentation and videos in the actual room at least one day before the course. Pack extension cords and power strips as a backup rather than discovering a connection problem during the first lesson.
Reserve both the room and changing area, and mark out the practice field before participants arrive. Set up the registration desk, tables, chairs and coat racks so check-in does not compete with room preparation.
Order catering against the confirmed participant count and store chilled items immediately on delivery. Prepare coffee, tea, cups and serving equipment before the first break instead of starting this during the lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a referee course?: Fix the date, venue, teachers and supervisors at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Open registration after those basics are confirmed, and send the final participant reminder about 7 days before the course.
What should a referee course schedule include?: Include registration, classroom teaching, breaks, practical field work, testing and closing. Allow at least 15 minutes between major sections so participants can move between the room, changing area and field.
How many footballs and cones do I need for referee field practice?: Base the quantity on the number of practice groups rather than the total number of participants. Plan one ball per active group and enough cones or marker discs to set up each exercise without waiting for equipment.
When should I test the projector and prepare the field?: Test the projector, laptop, cables and videos at least one day before the course. Mark out the practice field and set up the registration area on the day itself, finishing before participants are due to arrive.

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