Love the game but done playing — or never played at all? Refereeing is football's best-kept secret: paid, respected, and a genuine pathway from Rivervalley Park to European nights.
From age 16
Teens and adults
Laws of the Game
The IFAB laws — taught on the course, and free to study any time at theifab.com.
Safeguarding & vetting
Standard safeguarding requirements apply, as with every role in the club.
Mentoring
Young referees are never thrown in alone — an experienced mentor supports your first games.
Match fees
Refereeing pays from your very first game — set nationally by the FAI expenses agreement.
Every referee in Ireland — including the ones on TV — started at the bottom of this ladder. Ireland always needs referees, so promotion is genuinely open to anyone willing to put the games in.
Club small-sided games
JMO at Rivervalley Park — mentored, paid, low pressure.
DDSL & grassroots
Qualified FAI referee taking schoolboys/girls league appointments.
Junior & amateur leagues
Adult football — LSL and junior leagues, assessments and promotion.
National panels
League of Ireland appointments for the top performers.
FIFA & UEFA
International list referees, nominated through the FAI — European nights start in places like Swords.
No commitment — tell us you’re curious and the club will talk you through the next step, whether that’s a JMO taster or the next FAI course intake.
Prefer coaching or volunteering instead? See all ways to get involved
