And whose who successfully complete the course will be in a position to commence a refereeing career immediately in local junior football.

Anyone with a passion for football can become a referee. There is a definite benefit in starting young to gain the best opportunity to reach the top. However, it's never too late to start if you simply want to continue your enjoyment of the game after days as a player are over.

Female recruits are also very welcome to apply for this course and once qualified females will be in a position to operate in both men's and women's leagues and competitions.

The IFA will take candidates through a course on the laws of the game in opening course next month at Institute FC which will help assist potential referees get onto the pitch as soon as possible. DVDs will be shown and the instructor will use those images to discuss match incidents such as fouls and offside decisions.

Local experienced Intermediate referee, Dick Tucker, will take the course next month and there is a charge for the course, which will also act as your annual affiliation fee to the local Football Association.

Other experienced referees, instructors and assessors will be in attendance to offer the participants the benefit of their collective refereeing experience and skills. Towards the end of the course you will be required to show you have gained an adequate knowledge of the laws of the game and be in a position to answer a multiple choice question paper on what you have learned.

Following the completion of the course, candidates will register as referees and then be offered appointments to officiate in leagues in the area where they reside. Candidates will be offered appointments on the days they make themselves available.

The Referees’ Beginners course starts at 7.00 pm on Thursday, October 9th at Institute FC, Riverside Stadium, Drumahoe. Male and female applicants will be made welcome and those interested should contact referees@irishfa.com or ring 0771-7732565 for further information.