How to take the first step on the Volleyball England Beach Volleyball Referee Development Pathway. 

Click here to book onto a course

Grade 4 Beach

The Grade 4 Beach Referee Award is the entry-level certification for beach volleyball referees. You can become a beach volleyball referee either by starting directly on the beach referee pathway or adding to your indoor referee qualification. 

  

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

Prepare for a match

• Identify, check and report risks.
• Know the importance of arriving on time and being appropriately dressed.
• Effectively prepare to officiate. 
• Assess and ensure a safe competition environment in collaboration with event managers. 

Administer a match 

• Effectively start and end a match.
• Consistently apply the basic rules, and event regulations. 
• Maintain control through the match and show impartiality to both teams.
• Utilise appropriate basic interpersonal communication skills.
• Adopt styles of officiating to reflect the level of competition. 

Scoring and line judging 

• Fill in an international scoresheet.
• Recognise the basic signals and positioning required on court for Line Judges.

Interpersonal Ability

• Demonstrate the values and ethical behaviour expected of Volleyball England officials. 
• Demonstrate consistency and impartiality when dealing with players.
• Effectively communicate with event officials, court staff, and coaches. 

Self-Reflection

• Seek feedback on your performance.
• Reflect upon your performance with your view to improve. 

Course structure 

Complete: pre course reading and research	You must know the Official Beach Volleyball Rules (2025-2028) and be familiar with the FIVB refereeing guidelines and instructions and FIVB Beach Volleyball Casebook.
Attend: online classroom	Led by the course tutor, the session includes scenarios to check your knowledge and interpretation of Beach Volleyball rules, and how you prepare for and administer a match. It will also cover interpersonal skills, including expected communication and behaviour (120 minutes).
Complete: online assessment	You need to pass an online rules of game test. This is an open book, multiple choice format (70 minutes).
Attend: practical session	This one day practical session includes officiating at a beach volleyball competition. You will get the support of a referee developer, who will help you review your performance, provide feedback and help you identify appropriate training and development (8 hours).

Eligibility 

Learners must: 

• Be at least 16 years of age on the day of the course.
• Be able to communicate effectively in English, including listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

What do I need for the course?

• Access to a laptop/tablet to complete the pre course quizzes, online classroom and online assessment. 
• A whistle.
• A pen and notebook or similar notetaking technology. 
• Food and refreshments for the practical session. 

What does the Grade 4 Beach Referee Award allow me to do?

This qualification opens up opportunities to officiate at various levels of beach volleyball competitions such as UKBT 1 and 2* events, Intra Club Competitions (e.g. Beach Volleyball Development Centres), Local, Regional and Junior Age Group Competitions.

Grade 4 Beach Referees are not eligible for Volleyball England appointments. 

This blended learning course features self study, an online classroom, a rules of the game exam, and a one-day practical refereeing session at an event, where you will be observed and recieve developmental feedback from a referee developer. 

Course fees 

From 1st April 2025, the cost of the course is £79.25 (plus a service fee of 3.2% + 50p). 

Please ensure that you have read the Volleyball England Education Course Terms and Conditions prior to booking onto the course. 

How to book

Grade 4 Beach Referee Award courses are organised on a demand basis. Click here to see the courses that are currently available to book and select Grade 4 Beach Referee Course from the event group drop down. 

If there are no courses listed, please check back at a later date. Once new courses are added they will be advertised on the Volleyball England social media and new channels. 

If you require help with booking onto a course, please see the step by step guide here before emailing or calling the Volleyball England Hub Team on 01509 974700. 

Next steps 

After passing the Grade 4 Beach Referee course, you will then be able to progress to Grade 3 Regional. Click here to find out more.