GENERAL INFORMATION
Over recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of females entering our sport as players; however, this trend has not been repeated in the area of officiating. FFSA has identified that there is a significant shortage of female referees at all levels of the game.

To help increase the number of female referees within South Australia FFSA has applied for and received a Sports Leadership Grant for its Women Referees Development Project. This project is designed to support the training of new women referees in the State. It has been funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission - Office for Women.

In 2005 Football Federation Australia commissioned the preparation of a series of five referee training programs. The Level 4 to 1 programs are registered with the Australian Sports Commission under its National Officiating Accreditation Scheme. They are the only approved Football Match Official training programs in Australia. Level 5 is a prerequisite theory program for Level 4.

Scholarship numbers are limited. Selected applicants will be invited to undertake the first two FFA Referee Training Programs during 2007. They will be able to officiate in appropriate matches once they have completed FFA Level 5, joined an affiliated referee group, and completed the pre-officiating components of FFA Level 4.

Referees and Assistant Referees form the third team in Football matches. These are skilled positions, requiring commitment, dedication and high ethical standards. Officiating is challenging and invigorating. The personal rewards can be substantial. Come and join us!

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
The Scholarship is for 2007 and will provide the following benefits:

• FFA LEVEL 5 REFEREE TRAINING PROGRAM FEES AND MATERIALS
• A SUBSIDY TOWARDS A 2007 MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE OF AN APPROPRIATE REFEREE GROUP
• ONGOING TRAINING DURING 2007 WITH THE REFEREE GROUP
• FFA LEVEL 4 REFEREE TRAINING PROGRAM FEES AND MATERIALS
• OPPORTUNITIES TO NETWORK WITH CANDIDATES AND REFEREES.
• SUPPLEMENTARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Open to women at least 13 years of age at the commencement of the Level 5 program.
• Demonstrated desire and commitment to be a referee.
• Enthusiasm and ambition - keen to enhance knowledge and gain experience as a match official.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scholarship holders are required to sign a contract with FFSA agreeing to the following roles and responsibilities:

• Fulfil all requirements and achieve all the competencies of the FFA Level 5 and Level 4 referee programs.
• Meet the requirements of their referee group including participation at any required training and attendance at scheduled referee group meetings.
• Complete all officially assigned appointments as match officials [Referee and/or Assistant Referee]
• Attend all scheduled scholarship meetings. Initial program dates will be provided at the first meeting of the scholarship group. Other meetings will be scheduled during the course of the year.
• Scholarship holders are required to remain in the program throughout 2007. Participants who do not fulfil this obligation, or do not attend the required meetings and sessions and fulfil match appointments, may have their scholarship cancelled and be required to refund any monies expended on their scholarship up to the time of its cancellation.

KEY DATES
It is anticipated that the FFA Level 5 program will be scheduled for February-March 2007 at Santos Stadium. Scholarship holders should graduate by mid-March and will be invited to join a suitable referee group immediately. The FFA Level 4 program will be presented in April once scholarship holders have joined a referee group.

SELECTION PANEL
The panel may include the FFSA Referee Development Officer, FFSA State Referee Coach, a female referee, a representative from Women’s Football, and other members as appointed by the FFSA.

APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE FROM:

Steve Gregan, FFSA Referee Development Officer, Santos Stadium, Mile End.
Phone: 08 8354 1422 Email: steve.gregan@ffsa.com.au 

Download Application Form