Everything you need to know about FAMOA and the FAMOA Incentive Scheme
How do I become a referee?
In order to become a referee, you must undertake a Basic Referee Course. These are run by the County FAs and involve some study, examinations, refereeing six matches and a Next-Step workshop. A Safeguarding Children Workshop and CRB check (for over 18s) are also mandatory elements of the course.
When are courses / seminars / exams / Child Protection Workshops next held?
To find out when and where these courses are next taking place in your area, get in touch with your local county FA and view the links on the FA web pages for more detail. If you do not know the contact details for your county FA, you can request them from FAMOA by telephoning 0844 980 0621 or by email to famoa@TheFA.com.
What is FAMOA?
On passing your Basic Referee Course you automatically become registered with The FA's Match Official Association (FAMOA). FAMOA is a direct link between The Football Association and all connected with refereeing. It exists to support, inform and develop match officials at every stage in their careers. Local activities will be promoted and co-ordinated by the Referee Development Officer and national Referee Managers.
What are the benefits of being part of FAMOA?
Incentives to act as a match official, assessor, mentor, instructor, fitness leader and for introducing friends to refereeing
New referees will receive a badge to wear on their referees’ kit.
Newly trained referees will receive this badge free of charge after officiating six matches of 11-a-side football which is a required element of the Basic Course
Regular in-service training at all stages of your career
Organised physical training activities and advice on fitness and diet
Up to date information on the laws of the game and advice on their application
Open Learning Courses on the FA website
A Record of Achievement in which to keep awarded certificates
Continuous Service awards
Copies of ‘Refereeing’ magazine free of charge
What is my FAMOA number?
On passing your basic course you will become a member of FAMOA and will be assigned a FAMOA number. You will be informed of this number on the letter which will be sent out to you along with your Record of Achievement, certificate and FAMOA three lions referee badge on submission of your 6-match application form. Alternatively, email famoa@TheFA.com or call 0844 980 0621 to find it out.
How can I get a new FAMOA membership card? Mine has expired.
FAMOA membership cards are no longer being produced. You will remain a member of FAMOA but the cards are now redundant.
What is the FAMOA Incentive Scheme?
The scheme is a free initiative which aims to encourage newly qualified and existing referees to officiate on games and gain experience. The scheme works on a points system. On joining, you will receive a log book in which to record any games you officiate on throughout the season and you will collect points for doing so. Points can also be collected for participating in various other activities such as mentoring, attending seminars, training and meetings and for acting as an instructor or assessor. These points can be redeemed for items of referees kit and equipment toward the end of each season.
How do I join the FAMOA Incentive Scheme?
There are a number of ways to join the scheme:
- Tick the box at the bottom of your 6-match Record of Achievement application form before sending it to your County FA
- Request to join by emailing famoa@TheFA.com
- Call 0844 980 0621
What games count to collect points for on the FAMOA Incentive Scheme?
When collecting points, please adhere to the following criteria for what games count:
- All games officiated must be officially sanctioned competitions and leagues and not friendlies.
- Only 11-a-side games will count.
- Football of all ages, genders and abilities are eligible for points collection.
- Games must be below Supply League level.
- You will collect equal points for acting as a Referee, Assistant Referee, Fourth Official or an Assessor.
When can I redeem my points?
It is important that you fill out your log book correctly and keep it in your possession until the time that log books can be sent in to First Media Solutions for verification. This can be done from the April of each season but before 31 July. Any log books that are submitted after this date will not be accepted. Points can not be carried over to the next year.
Once you have your logbook completed and ready to send, take photocopies of your logbook, then if it should get lost in the post, you will still be able to make a claim. Make sure you put sufficient postage on and send to First Media Solutions Ltd, Tattershall Way, Fairfield Ind. Est., Louth, Lincs LN11 0YZ.
The redeeming of all points can now be done online. You can view the items available in the scheme by logging onto www.famoa.com using your surname and FAMOA number. Once your log book has been verified, you will receive an email stating that your points are loaded onto the website ready to spend. Additional points can also be purchased here to spend on the site.
If you do not have access to the internet or would prefer a paper order form, please call FAMOA on 0844 980 0621 to request one.
I still have my completed log book from last season. Can I redeem my FAMOA Incentive Scheme points now?
No. Unfortunately the deadline for logbooks to be sent in each year is 31 July and any books received after this date will not be processed.
How do I know if my logbook was received?
You will receive an email to let you know when your log book has been verified and your points are ready to be redeemed online. It usually takes 7 days for this to happen. If after 10 days you have not received an email, please contact us on enquiries@famoa.com or 01507 610043.
When will my order be sent out?
Once the order has been placed, please allow 21 days for it to be despatched, a little longer if you have ordered embroidered items. All orders are sent out with Royal Mail 2nd class, so please allow 15 working days for it to be delivered, if you have not received it after this time telephone 01507 610043, do not leave it until the end of the season.
What if I have a problem with the goods I receive?
If you have any problems regarding your order or with the goods you receive please contact First Media on 01507 610043 or email enquiries@famoa.com
What happens once I have completed my first six games as a referee?
Once you have officiated six games as part of your Basic Course you should fill in the details of each match on the form ‘The FA Recruitment and Retention Initiative’ which can be found at the back of your ‘Welcome to Refereeing’ booklet in your course folder. This should then be posted to your County FA. We will then send out to you a Record of Acheivement folder, a 6-match certificate, a FAMOA three lions referee badge to be sewn onto kit and a letter which states your FAMOA number.
How can I get a new log book / black wallet?
Log books are issued at the start of every season. If you were registered on the scheme the previous season, there is no need to re-register, membership simply rolls over. If you mislay your log book or do not receive one, please contact FAMOA on 0844 980 0621 or email famoa@TheFA.com
Black log book wallets are issued only when you join the scheme for the first time, not every season. They are however available to purchase or redeem your Incentive Scheme points for.
How can I get a FAMOA referee badge for my kit?
FAMOA three lions referee badges to be sewn onto kits are only issued free of charge as part of your Record of Achievement package. This is issued when you have officiated more than 6 matches and have submitted to FAMOA a 6-match form.
The badges can alternatively be purchased from FAMOA at a cost of £5.00 each. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Football Association’ and posted with a short cover letter (stating your address) to FAMOA, Referees Department, The Football Association, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ.
Where can I purchase referees kit / equipment?
The Referees Association (RA) sell a range of kit and equipment via phone and online. Their website can be found at www.rashop.co.uk and their phone number is 02476601701.
A & H International is another company who stock a comprehensive collection of refereeing products. They are online at www.referee-equipment.co.uk and are also contactable by telephone on 0800 980 2208.
Ray Lewis Sportswear is another approved supplier of referee kit. The website is www.raylewis.co.uk and telephone number is 01372 451250.
How do I join the Referees Association?
Being a member of the Referees Association has many benefits. The RA is dedicated to helping you develop as a referee through experience-sharing at local society meetings and in protecting you from injustice and unfair treatment. They have on offer an insurance policy, life cover and funeral expenses, a benevolence fund and can organise victim support and counselling. Also to take advantage of is the discounted kit available via their shop as well as other commercial benefits such as hotel and insurance discounts. To join, at a cost generally less than one match fee, call the RA Head Office on 02476 601701, email ra@footballreferee.org or visit the website www.footballreferee.org