FA Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE) is an emerging and exciting refereeing structure that aims to provide an identified number of referees at a variety of levels with quality training, education and development opportunities delivered both centrally and across a number of regional locations.

FA CORE is for those referees who demonstrate that they have the clear potential and opportunity to progress in refereeing regardless of which part of the country they are from, their gender or their age.

Referees involved in FA CORE at all levels must always possess (among other aspects) the appropriate levels of:

• Focus and Commitment
• Enthusiasm to progress
• Developing on-field performances
• Off-field attitude
• Professionalism
• Fitness

Referees will benefit from a season long programme where The FA will provide them with a trained, motivated and accredited referee coach who will be the point of contact throughout their time on FA CORE at that specific tier of the structure.

There will be five tiers of the FA CORE programme which will provide training, education, development and coaching for Referees from level 7 to level 2b.