The Football Association of Ireland has launched the 'Become a Referee' campaign, a six-week nationwide initiative designed to recruit the next generation of match officials.

 The campaign will feature 26 beginner courses hosted across every region of the country, aiming to support the continued growth of Grassroots football.

Building on the momentum of previous recruitment drives, which saw over 1593 new referees join in 2023 and 2024, the expanded 2025 campaign aims to be the most successful yet. With participation in football at an all-time high, the need for qualified referees is more critical than ever to ensure games can take place safely and enjoyably every week.

The campaign highlights the numerous benefits of taking up the whistle, including:

Giving Back: Stay involved and contribute to the game you love.
Life Skills: Develop confidence, communication, and decision-making abilities.
Active Lifestyle: Maintain a high level of fitness.
Earn Extra Income: Get paid for being part of the action.
Flexibility: Fits around your work, study, and family life.
Make a Difference: Ensure games go ahead for thousands of players.
Career Progression: Opportunities to officiate at higher levels.
Rewarding & Enjoyable: Be at the heart of the sport.

Rob Hennessy, FAI Programme Co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted to officially launch the 'Become a Referee' campaign. The success of our Referee Months in recent years has been fantastic, but we know the demand is there to go even bigger. By expanding to a six-week campaign, we can provide more opportunities in more locations than ever before.

"This is a huge undertaking with courses in every corner of the country, because supporting the growth of the game is our top priority. Simply put, as player numbers increase, so too must our pool of referees. Being a referee is an incredibly rewarding experience that keeps you fit, develops key life skills, and places you right at the heart of the action. I would encourage anyone who loves football to consider it; it’s a brilliant way to stay involved and give back."

The 26 beginner courses will run from Saturday, July 19th, to Saturday, August 30th. Led by expert FAI Referee Tutors, the course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge needed to officiate grassroots matches safely and effectively.

Aspiring referees can find a course near them and book their place now via FAI Connect.

To support the campaign, a promotional video featuring League of Ireland referee Lucas Keating and Grassroots Referee Hannah O'Brien is now available, outlining the many benefits of joining the refereeing community.