Referee Scout

The FA Refereeing Department is currently recruiting Referee Scouts to support the development of match officials operating within the Men's National League North and National League South, as well as Tier 3 of the Women's Football Pyramid.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the identification and development of current and future elite match officials. Working remotely, Referee Scouts review match footage and evaluate referee performances through a dedicated video analysis platform. Using evidence-based reporting, Scouts evaluate performance against The FA Refereeing DNA, considering key areas including technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social performance.

What will you be doing:

Reviewing match incidents, bookmarking relevant footage and producing detailed online reports supported by video clip examples. These reports contribute to a holistic assessment of performance, focusing on the referee's impact on the game rather than relying solely on traditional observation methods. This approach enables a more objective and evidence-based review of match officials and supports their ongoing development.

Who are we looking for?

We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience of refereeing at Step 2 and above. However, we also welcome applications from those with experience from the playing side of the game who can bring valuable perspectives when reviewing referee performances.

What can we offer?

The role is flexible and can be completed from home at times that suit the individual. Appointments are offered on a week-by-week basis. This is not a full-time or part-time position but is ideally suited to individuals with an interest in referee development and the availability to undertake performance reviews during the week.

Successful candidates will undertake a comprehensive training and accreditation programme before being appointed. Full support will be provided throughout the process to ensure Scouts are confident in applying the framework and standards required.

This is a particularly exciting time to become involved in refereeing development. Through our referee pathways, we are working to identify and support the next generation of elite and international match officials, many of whom will progress into the professional game. Referee Scouts play a vital role in that journey by helping us provide high-quality feedback, identify talent and support continuous improvement across the game.

For further information or an informal conversation about the role, please contact Ross Joyce, Senior FA Referee Manager (Referee Development), The FA, at Ross.Joyce@TheFA.com. Ross would be happy to discuss the role, the accreditation process and what is involved in becoming a Referee Scout.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of The FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, successful candidates will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role. Casual work is conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory DBS check result, which will be fairly considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with legislation and government guidance.