Referee Pathway

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A Handball REFEREE?

If the answer to this question is yes you can register your interest by clicking this link and the England Handball Referee Association will be in touch.  

The image below shows the pathway to becoming a handball referee. To register on one of our courses click here

Recognition of prior learning

If you have refereed before, or hold a foreign refereeing qualification you can apply for recognition of prior learning by sending the request form at this link, along with copies of any certificates to  coachadmin@englandhandball.com 

The England Handball coaching department will confirm the validity of the RPL application and issue an England Handball RPL equivalent certificate/document.

How are referees allocated to matches?

Alongside the refereeing levels, there is a licensing system in place for referees active in national competitions (mainly Premier Handball League, National Handball League, Regional Handball League, Under-19 competition, Cup competitions) This system distributes the referees into the league categories. How this works is shown in the image below.

 The criteria used to determine the distribution to each category is based on a combination of four factors:  

• Annual Rules Test 
• Annual Fitness Test
• Referee level and performance through observations and feedback
• Commitment (availability to referee, attendance of CPD opportunities, attendance of England Handball Referees Association events)  

It is important to note that the system is dynamic and categories (Levels) aren’t fixed. Referees can be promoted/demoted, based on the previously established criteria.

HOW WILL I GET THE CHANCE TO REFEREE?

Nomination Process

The following principles are applied during nominations:

• Level: PHL/NHL/U19 levels are used to primarily guide the nomination
• Distance: Travel distance as well as travel time is taken into account with the goal of avoiding excessive travel distances and times. ·        
• Past games: The same referee should not referee back-to-back games, or too many games during the season for the same team.  

Please note due to number of referees and availability, exceptions might apply.

REFEREEING COURSES

TABLE OFFICIAL COURSE  

The table officials’ course is an online course that is hosted on the England Handball e-learning platform. 

• Who is it for? People who run, or are  interested in running, the table at handball matches 
• Course duration: 20-30 minutes
• Cost: £7.50pp for the open course or a bundle package can be purchased by clubs (if you are interested in this option please contact us on: coachingadmin@englandhandball.com 

To purchase the open course, visit the ‘Book on a course’ tab on the website and the course can be purchased on this page. Once the course has been purchased England Handball will send login details to the learner, this may take up to 48 hours (longer at the weekends).

OPEN LEVEL-1 REFEREE COURSE

This is an exciting new format for our Level-1 Referee course, and we can’t wait to get you onboard your journey to becoming a referee.

• Who is it for?  Aspiring Referees. This course is suitable for teachers, parents and anyone over the age of 16 who is interested in becoming a Handball referee.  
• Course duration: The first part of the course is online, followed by a three-hour practical session.  Post completion of the Online and Practical session, you will need to referee three games in your environment with a superior referee signing this off. Once completed certification will take place.
• Course costs: £50   
• Pre-requisites: Learners must be 16 years old or over   
• Course outcome: At the end of the course you will be able to referee Junior, School and club-based activity or competitions.     

If you have any questions regarding the course, format or qualification please contact our Coaching and Workforce Department at coachingadmin@englandhandball.com     To book on the course please click here   

LEVEL 2 REFEREE AWARD 

England Handball is developing its level 2 course it will be available shortly.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CERTIFICATES

England Handball use e-certificates so please check your email inbox after the course. The processing time may take up to three weeks.

RESOURCES

The course resources are digital. England Handball will send a link to the resource prior to the course. If you want to print these resources off before the course, please feel free to do so.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, please contact the Coaching Administrator at coachingadmin@englandhandball.com   or telephone:  01925 246482

BOOKING FORM 

If you would like to book a closed course please download the Booking Form and send the Coaching Administrator. 

For open courses please go to the ‘Book on a course’ tab to book. If there is no open course advertised contact the Coaching Administrator to register your interest at coachingadmin@englandhandball.com