The officiating pathway for Volleyball England follows the path of:

Young Referees Award

 This is a course for 14-19 year old candidates, teaching them the basics of officiating junior matches at 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 levels. For more information please click here

Grade 4 Award

This grade is awarded to candidates who attend a two day course and successfully complete a theory examination on the rules of volleyball and use of the scoresheet.  The course comprises both theory and practical sessions but assessment of practical refereeing is not compulsory. The minimum age for this course is 16 years of age. Grade 4 Referees should attempt to obtain as much experience at local level as possible, before applying to be assessed for Grade 3.

For information on how to find a course in your area, please click here

Grade 3 (Regional)

This is the basic grade of practical refereeing, a recommended minimum standard for officiating in regional or local leagues. So, when you have been refereeing comparatively regularly in your local league or BUSA/BUCS competitions, and think you are fulfilling the very basic criteria below, you should be applying for assessment for Grade 3R. To achieve Grade 3R a candidate must be observed (by an approved member of Referee Commission) officiating, at least, as a 1st Referee at a match and must be in the current referee uniform. Candidates may make a direct approach to any staff on the current list, in order to arrange an assessment. Whereas Grade 4 is awarded for theoretical knowledge of the rules, the Grade 3R Award is made solely on the basis of practical refereeing. Prior to assessment a candidate must have qualified as a Grade 4 and have registered or be committed to registering. The award will not be ratified until registration is received by the National Office. There is no charge for single Grade 3R assessments but Regions/Areas/Organisations may wish to host “Grade 3 Clinics” for training purposes and to arrange more than one assessment in a day.

Once you have been officiating on a comparatively regular basis and are able to :-
•    Carry out pre-match preparation in accordance with local league guidelines
•    Communicate and work with the other match officials
•    Communicate with team officials and captains sufficiently to reduce/contain excessive reactions to decisions
•    Control matches consistently and impartially within current FIVB rules
•    Generally apply handling decisions accurately
•    Recognise the actions which lead to misconduct and apply misconduct sanctions accurately
•    Carry out post-match local league requirements
•    As 2nd Referee, assist the 1st Referee to control a match
•    Discuss with the assessor any reasons for particular decisions

then you should be requesting an assessment for Grade 3R.

Contact either
Referee Development Commissioner – Diane Hollows dihollows.volley@btinternet.com

or

Staff Commissioner: Denis Le Breuilly dleb@psilink.co.uk

Please note that if you are under the age of 18, you will be awarded Grade 4 (J) and Grade 3R (J), to denote that you are a junior.

Grade III (N), Grade II and Grade I are made via assessments and observation by Referee Commission observers. Please contact a member of Referee Commission for more information