The FA is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our refereeing department as Assistant Referee Coaches. You will provide targeted matchday coaching to assistant referees at fixtures across Step 2 National League System and Tiers 3–4 of the Women's National League. Through observation, feedback, and support, you will play a key part in developing officials and strengthening standards across the pathway.
Assistant Referee coaches will operate on a regional basis whilst coaching and supporting those officials with ambition to progress into the professional game. This is an exciting opportunity to help develop ambitious match officials, contribute to higher levels of performance and support with talent identification.
This is a paid role that will offer a fee based on the number of coaching reports completed. This role also requires weekend and match day availability.
What will you do?
Assistant Referee Coaches play a pivotal part in assistant referee development by providing structured, evidence‑based coaching that drives improvement, progression and retention. Working closely with National Referee Managers and the wider FA Refereeing team, you will help create a positive, inclusive and appropriately challenging development environment aligned to FA values, the Refereeing DNA and the Refereeing Curriculum. You will also:
1. Provide match day assistant referee coaching to officials operating at Step 2 of the National League System and Tier 3 + 4 of the Women's Pathway.
2. Observe the assistant referees pre and post-match interactions as well as their performance during the match.
3. Provide coaching feedback which will support the assistant referee in their future appointments and aid their development as a match official.
4. Review any footage which may be available to further enhance the referee's match performance.
5. Provide a written coaching report which will be sent to the assistant referee to confirm the agreed coaching points for future matches.
6. Provide a graded score to the match official that will support potential promotions or reclassification.
7. Act in line with FA coaching standards, safeguarding requirements and values, keeping accurate coaching records.
8. Execute additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
9. Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and well-being can be maintained.
10. 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.
What You'll Need?
Essential for the role:
11. Current or recent officiating experience at Step 2 (or above) of the National League System and/or Tiers 3 & 4 (or above) of the Women's Pathway.
12. Ability to provide structured verbal and written feedback in a timely and coherent developmental manner.
13. Ability to use MOAS to complete and upload coaching reports in line with The FA's Refereeing DNA as a framework for improvement.
14. Ability to motivate and inspire match officials.
15. A willingness to engage in CPD opportunities throughout the season – thus demonstrating commitment to coaching.
16. Commit to operating as a coach across Step 2 of the National League System and Tiers 3 & 4 of the Women's Pathway.
Beneficial to have:
17. Experience in supporting personal development.
18. Experience of working/supporting match officials' development.
19. Effective communicator and motivator.
20. Knowledge and understanding of current referee development and practices.
21. Experience of responding to the developmental needs of individual officials.
22. Ability to challenge constructively and support under pressure.
23. Understanding of the demands of semi-professional football environments within the National League System in both the men's and women's pathways.
24. Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
What's in it for you?
We pride ourselves on offering a competitive rate of pay as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role.
We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, and by doing this, we offer top-of-the-range facilities across two core business locations. We have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English football. We are also delighted to have a world-class Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire, which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.
We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.
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.