Becoming a CRA Football Referee in 2025
There are plenty of reasons to consider becoming a football referee. You actively engage in the sport, contribute to elevating the standard of football, build a network of close friends, enhance your management and communication skills, and enjoy the perks of earning tax free pocket money.
Referees play a crucial role in the world of football. The journey to becoming a referee at the FIFA World Cup begins at the grassroots level. The qualifications for becoming a football referee are straightforward:
– Minimum age of 13 years old,
– Passion for Football.
The Canterbury Referees Association (CRA) is actively welcoming new referees to join our community. Individuals of all experience and fitness levels are encouraged to participate. If you would like to be part of this vibrant community, please follow the steps below. For FAQ’s on becoming a new referee with the CRA, refer to the following information HERE.
Step 1 – Complete the Laws of the Game Certificate
This is a free online training module provided by Football Australia (FA). This course is a pre-curser to the Referee course and contains an exam component. After completing the course, you will receive a certificate which will allow you to continue on your refereeing pathway and attend a Junior Football Match Official Online Course. The course can be accessed using a system called “Etrainu” by following the steps below:
If you are already a registered referee:
Step 1 – Visit https://learn.footballaustralia.com.au/
Step 2 – Select ‘If you are a Football Australia Learner, click here to login.’
Step 3 – You will be redirected to the Play Football website, where you will be able to login with your Play Football username and password
If you are NEW to refereeing:
Step 1 – Visit Play Football Online Registration
Step 2 – Click on ‘Get started’
Step 3 – Follow the process to the very end
Step 4 – Once you have completed your registration, you will then need to go to log into Etrainu. Log in details information link: https:// support.playfootball.com.au/support/solutions/articles/22000286143-learning-centre-participant-how-to-login-to-the-learning-centre.
Step 5 – Within 1 business day, you will then be able to visit https://learn.footballaustralia.com.au/ to sign in with your new login details
The Laws of the Game course consists of an examination. You only get one attempt at the examination, so take your time studying the Laws of the Game. If you fail the examination, do not panic! Please contact our Registrar, Albert Najjarine via email at registrar@canterburyreferees.org.au or 0402 444 229 to discuss alternative solutions.
You can find your completed Laws of the Game certificate by logging into the Etrainu system at learn.footballaustralia.com.au. Once you have logged in, head to your Skills Passport.
If you are unable to access your Etrainu account, please email etrainu@playfootball.com.au
Step 3 – Junior Football Match Official Classroom Recap and Practical
There are two components to complete for the Referee Course – a theory component and a practical component.
The Junior match official online theory component can only be completed through Football Australia’s Etrainu system and costs $33 (including GST). You can search for a Level 4 theory course by selecting the ‘Training Library’ link on the left-hand side navigation then ‘Referee Community – Member Federation’ then ‘Junior Football Match Official. Enter ‘FNSW – Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association Inc’ in the search bar and then select a course in the calendar. If there are no results matching your filters it could be because the event hasn’t been scheduled yet.
All referees must complete their theory component through Etrainu and then be marked as completed in order to do the practical component (see below). There are no more in-person or branch run Level 4 Referee theory courses.
To attain your Referee qualification, you will need to complete the practical component. The fee for the practical component is $100 and is included in the registration packages. The fee MUST be paid prior to the course via direct debit to the following account:
Account name: Canterbury Referees Association Inc
Account BSB: 032-267
Account Number: 416 060
The CRA is running the following practical courses in 2025
- Course details are listed below:
- Course 5 Saturday March 29th 10.00 am to 2.30pm
- Venue: Hurlstone Park Wanderers Football Club
- Tennent Parade,
- Hurlstone Park NSW
Once you have completed the Entrance Referee Course (theory AND practical components), you are then required to register with the CRA in Dribl. You can register in Dribl by following the below steps:
Step 1 – Visit https://registration.dribl.com/club/23
Step 2 – Click on the ‘Select’ button beside the ‘Winter 2025, 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025′ tile
Step 3 – Click on ‘Create Account’ to create a Dribl account (red button)
Step 4 – A pop up box will appear with a message, ‘Please create a Dribl account using your own personal details. You can register other family members or dependents using your account.’ Select ‘Continue’
Step 5 – Enter your first name, middle name, last name, email address, mobile number, password and password confirm and select ‘Sign up’ (red button)
Step 6 – Select ‘New Junior member 2025 no Kit including course cost – Junior’ (if you are <18 years of age) or New Senior member 2025 no Kit including course cost. Senior’ (if you are >18 years of age)
Step 7 – Complete the process and select ‘Submit order’
Step 8 – You will receive an email that your registration has been submitted
Step 9 – Your registration will be approved closer to the start of the season
If you are experiencing an issue with your registration please contact the Registrar, Albert Najjarine via email at registrar@canterburyreferees.org.au or 0402 444 229.
Step 4 – Working With Children Check (WWCC) Number Requirement
Football NSW requires that ALL REFEREES OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE obtain a PAID Working With Children Check (WWCC).
If you plan on becoming a referee with CRA, and are over the age of 18, you will need to provide CRA with a paid WWCC. Without a WWCC, CRA will not be able to accept your registration, which means you will not be able to referee.
The paid WWCC costs $105.00. The CRA recommends that you obtain the WWCC well in advance of attending a course, so that you can referee sooner. For information on how you can obtain a paid WWCC, view CRA’s guide HERE.
Please Note: The paid WWCC number lasts for 5 years from payment and must be renewed thereafter.
If you are still unsure or have any queries about your Working with Children Check, please contact our Registrar, Albert Najjarine via email at registrar@canterburyreferees.org.au or 0402 444 229.
What do I need to bring on the day of the course?
It is recommended participants bring:
– Comfortable shoes, hat and running attire
– Water (snacks will be provided)
– A positive attitude!