How It Works
Training
Prospective referees will be taken through a training session and provided with a Chelsea FC Youth Referee uniform. Referees will need to supply their own whistle and watch (with stop-watch capability).
Mentorship
Our lead mentor and FV qualified Referee, Stevyn, provides valuable guidance most Saturday mornings at our home ground. Referees are encouraged to shadow Stevyn as he mentors to gain a deeper understanding of the role of a referee.
Fixture Allocation
Each season, we maintain a detailed record of every youth referee’s experience, including the number of fixtures they’ve officiated and the age groups they’ve covered. We aim to distribute refereeing opportunities as evenly as possible, considering factors like availability, match level, and age groups. However, variables like mentor availability, team levels, and fixture schedules can sometimes affect this balance.
Each week, between Sunday and Tuesday, our Football Manager sends through the upcoming weekend’s fixtures. Based on this, Hannah assigns referees for the weekend matches.
Parents are notified via email, specifying which referees are scheduled for that weekend and providing a deadline for confirmation. The email also includes a fixture schedule and the rules for both Football Victoria's U7-U11 competitions and Bayside U7s.
Typically, we aim to assign each referee a minimum of two fixtures per weekend. For newer referees, we start them off with one match to build their confidence and experience. However, the fixture schedule can sometimes be unpredictable, so we ask for your understanding if allocations vary slightly.
Resources
Referees need to download the IFAB Laws of the Game app, a vital resource for understanding the laws of football. You can find it here:
- Download for Android
- Download for Apple
Support & Welfare
The welfare of our Youth Referees is our top priority. Should you have any concerns or questions about their experience, officiating responsibilities, or anything related to mentoring, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Contact Information:
- Admin (Hannah): 0487 310 442
- Mentoring (Stevyn): 0466 839 764
- Welfare Officers: Dave Hyams or Dee Wright - childwelfare.chelseafcaustralia@gmail.com
Our programme is built on support, respect, and a passion for football, and we’re here to ensure your child has the best possible refereeing experience.
If you wish to be added to the list of Youth Referees, please get in touch:
referees.chelseafcaustralia@gmail.com