Facts and Figures
| Qualification Accreditation Number | 500/2354/8 |
| Learning hours (GLH) | 78 (26) |
| SFA/LAD Funding Code | 500/2354/8 |
| Entry Age | 16 |
| National Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure | Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) Catalogue approved |
| Qualification Accreditation Start Date | 01/08/07 |
| Qualification Accreditation End Date | 31/07/10 |
| Certification End Date | 31/07/12 |
Find out how to apply for this qualification.
There are no costs involved in applying or becoming a 1st4sport recognised centre.
The L2CSOF is awarded by 1st4sport Qualifications and has been developed in partnership with The Football Association’s (The FA) Referees’ Department. Officiating Football is a pathway unit of the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate for Sports Officials and is accredited at Level 2 on the National Qualifications Framework.
QCA Qualification Accreditation Number:
1st4sport Level 2 Certificate for Sports Officials: 500/2354/8
Officiating Football pathway Unit 6: D/501/0988
For further information on the accredited status of the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate for Sports Officials, please log on to the QCA-accredited qualifications website at www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk.
Qualification Accreditation Start Date: 1 August 2007
Qualification Accreditation End Date: 31 July 2010
Qualification Certification End Date: 31 July 2012
Who is the L2CSOF for?
Adults (over 16 years of age) who have experience as a football referee and would like to expand on their knowledge. Students in further or higher education, studying sports-related qualifications, might also wish to pursue this vocational qualification.
Learners are encouraged to have completed the Level 1 Certificate for Match Officials in Football and must have completed an FA Basic Referees’ training course* or completed both tiers of the FA’s two-tier training course,*prior to enrolment for this Level 2 qualification.
*For more information, please contact your local County FA, log on to the FA Learning website at www.thefa.com/falearning or call The FA hotline on 0870-8500 424.
Why deliver the L2CSOF?
- To form part of a structured and progressive programme of football qualifications, offering learners access to involvement in the national game.
- As a critical step on The FA's Referee ladder, this qualification has proved to be popular with a wide range of learners.
- The qualification allows learners access to membership and the benefits of the FA Match Officials Association (FAMOA).
What can learners use the L2CSOF for?
- To seek paid or unpaid employment as a football referee within The FA's county structure.
- To apply for promotion from Level 7 to Level 6 or from Level 6 to Level 5, within The FA’s referee structure.
- As part of the development of a credible CV for employment in the sport and recreation industry.
- To access membership of FAMOA.
- As part of the ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD). To help with this, learners should maintain their licence to practice via FAMOA. For more information, please log on to The FA website at www.thefa.com and search for ‘FAMOA’.
To work as a referee in England, holders of this certificate are expected to register with, and work with, the support and supervision of an FA County Association. Learners should be aware that, to officiate under the auspices of The FA, they should be registered with their local county football association and hold a referee grade that will determine the level/types of matches at which they may referee. FA gradings are available at 10 levels, with Level 10 being an inactive referee and Level 1 being a referee on the National List.
For more information, please contact your local County FA, log on to the FA Learning website at www.thefa.com/falearning or call The FA hotline on 0870-8500 424.
Structure, Delivery and Assessment of the L2CSOF
Qualification Structure
NB: To complete the L2CSOF, learners must have evidence of attendance on The FA’s workshop ‘Child Protection and Best Practice’. Many of our current approved centres are separately endorsed by The FA to deliver this component. For more information, please log on to the FA Learning website at www.theFA.com/FALearning.
It is recommended that a delivery programme for the L2CSOF should include a minimum of 68 notional guided learning hours.
The qualification is composed of the following six units:
- Unit 1 Develop and maintain own ability to apply the rules/laws within the spirit of the sport/activity (QCA No: F/501/0983)
- Unit 2 Contribute to the health and safety, safety and protection of participants and others (QCA No: J/501/0984)
- Unit 3 Establish and maintain effective working relationships (QCA No: L/501/0985)
- Unit 4 Apply rules/laws during sport/activity (QCA No: R/501/0986)
- Unit 5 Handle and communicate information in sports officiating (QCA No: Y/501/0987)
- Unit 6 Officiating football (QCA No: D/510/0988)
Assessment
Internal assessment comprises:
- a written examination on the laws of association football
- an observed assessment of the learner’s refereeing of at least three open-age (11 v 11) football matches to the required standard, by an appropriately qualified assessor.
Independent assessment comprises:
- an assessment of the learner’s portfolio of evidence, which must include:
– a log of 20 open-age (11 v 11) matches
– oral questioning covering all three units of the qualification.
Tutor, Assessor and Internal Verifier Criteria
In addition to the generic 1st4sport Qualifications criteria for tutors, assessors and verifiers (see the Centre Approval Application Pack or the Approved Centre Handbook), tutors and internal verifiers of the L2CSOF must:
- be FA referee instructors
- have undergone qualification-specific induction training
- hold The FA Tutor Award.
Fees
Fees are charged per learner and provide registration and certification for the qualification, as well as a 1st4sport Qualifications Learner Pack, learning resources and certificate. Further information on fees is available by contacting 1st4sport Qualifications.
How do I Apply?
If you are not already a 1st4sport recognised centre, but would like to deliver the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate for sports Officials via the pathway of Officiating Football, you will first need to fill in a Centre Recognition Application Form.
To apply, please request a Centre Recognition Application Form
If you are already a 1st4sport recognised centre and would like to seek approval to deliver this qualification, please access Athena, the 1st4sport quality assurance system, and complete the qualification approval process. If you cannot remember your username and password, please contact us.
We don’t charge you any fees to apply to deliver this qualification.
Contact Details
For further information or to apply for approval to deliver this qualification, please contact:
1st4sport Qualifications
Coachwise Limited
Chelsea Close
Off Amberley Road
Armley
Leeds LS12 4HP
Tel: 0113-290 7610
Email: enquiries@1st4sportqualifications.com
For more information on FA Learning, please log on to the FA Learning website at www.thefa.com/falearning or call the FA Learning hotline on 0870-8500 424.
Many of the qualifications below have been developed in partnership with FA Learning.
